Pictures, Places, and Simple Pleasures

Shut it down...

2008-02-28T00:07:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Politics

2008-02-27T01:56:00.001-05:00

Are Republicans really against abortion?

Well, let’s see. The republicans had a majority in congress for a full decade, they have had the White House for eight years and they have possessed a majority on the Supreme Court for as long as I can remember. And how much progress has been made on limiting abortion rights in this country? Almost none.

It occurs to me that as long as abortion is legal in this country, Republicans feel they never have to worry about whether or not Christians will vote for them. They pay the issue lip service and do nothing.

Saying the Republican establishment is against abortion is like saying the Democratic structure is against poverty. Deep down inside we know that each party needs their issue. It justifies their existence. It creates a disincentive to make any meaningful progress.

Good Lord, save us from these people.

A Fun Day

2007-01-27T18:58:00.000-05:00

2007-01-10T23:58:00.000-05:00

Tonight was difficult for me. If you have ever been in my youth group please read the following letter that was delivered tonight during youth worship.

One time during one of my lessons Taylor described a characteristic of youth culture as being "uncomfortable in serious conversations." I thought this was an insightful comment. Sometimes we all feel awkward in those kinds of conversations. However, they are also sometimes necessary. Tonight is one of those conversations.

I ask you tonight to listen to all of what I have to say. At some point it may be easy to quit listening, but I want you to hang in there with me and listen to me from within. I have stood before you on many occasions and in many situations. I have talked to you about many topics, but this is truly one of the most difficult things I have ever had to say.

On Sunday morning I resigned as the youth minister at the Norway Avenue Church of Christ. Dana, Brendan and I will be moving to Memphis to begin work with another church.

Many hours of prayer and consideration have gone into this decision. It was made for a variety reasons, not all of which I can go into in this setting. I do want to let you know a few. In Memphis we will be less than two hours from both my parents and Dana's. As our parents and grandparents get older, it is becoming more important to us to be closer. We will also be working with the church where Grace, Austin, and Marion attend (Brendan's cousins). As difficult is this is for me to talk about, Dana and I have been unable to have another child, and these family relationships have become more and more important to us. There are other reasons as well. I feel that Dana and I will be leaving a great situation to work in another great situation. As time goes on I will answer any questions you have about all of this.

Now, this is the part I REALLY want you to listen to!

As we began this ministry over seven years ago I never imagined how much this group would change me. The group of young men and young women sitting in this room has made a huge difference in my life. As I watched you walk in tonight, I thought of all that I have learned from watching you. I have learned authentic worship. I have learned what it means to sacrifice on the mission field. I have learned about friendship, and I have learned how to follow God with emotional content. I have learned all of this from you. As I look back on my time here, it occurs to me that I could not hope to have taught you as much as you have taught me, and for that I am truly grateful. Thank you.

I also want to thank Bill who has given be sound guidance since day one, and the youth volunteers for making this ministry work. It is because of them that I feel the best days of this youth group are ahead, not behind. This group and this ministry has never been about me, and I am excited to see what God has in store for you.

We will not be leaving Huntington for at least a couple of months, as we try to sell our house and prepare the way for the move. Until then we will be full steam ahead for the Superbowl Party, Winterfest, the Ski Trip and other winter activities.

During the transition time I ask for your prayers, your patience, and your friendship. I plan on continuing that friendship for as long as you will allow. I am still close to many of the students with which I worked in Florida, and I see no reason for that to change with you after this transition.

Also, know that I am leaving a big piece of my heart in Huntington. I love you very much.

I know that there are some college students that are finding this out by reading this blog. I wish I could have told you in person.

I have loved my time at Norway Avenue - thank you to all of the students that have let me be a part of your lives. It has been my honor.

Another Hero

2006-10-03T15:54:00.000-04:00

I just read "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" by Aron Ralston. This guy is an American hero. Everyone should read this story.

BOYCOTTS, and other things that make Christians look stupid

2006-08-29T17:53:00.000-04:00

Today my wife received two e-mails calling for boycotts. The first one is a letter written to Wal-Mart in reference to the “Big Box” retailer becoming part of the Gay/Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. The text of the letter reads as follows:

Thank you for your response to my comments. However, your message was very disturbing.

My family spends thousands of dollars at Wal-Mart every year. For years, we have purchased nearly everything we needed (food, clothes, house supplies, school supplies, entertainment items, etc.) at Wal-Mart. As of this moment, that type of reliance on Wal-Mart products will decrease significantly until Wal-Mart changes its current "commitment" to "advancing" the ungodly lifestyle of homosexuality.

You've never stopped homosexuals from coming into your stores and purchasing your products, but now you've crossed the line. It is one thing to sell products to homosexuals and give them adequate service, but it is entirely different to financially support their ungodly agenda. You have now thrust yourself into the Culture War...and are on the WRONG side.

As a concerned Christian and American, I will make it a point to let others know of your ungodly antics, beginning by copying this e-mail to more than 50 individuals. Who knows how many people they will forward it on to?

I beg you to change your ways, or risk losing your longtime support base--middle-class Americans (many who still care about conservative Christian values). There are a lot of Americans who'll never buy a Ford again (at least not until their support of the homosexual agenda ceases). I wonder how many will now cut back on Wal-Mart, too?

Sincerely,

The second e-mail was protesting a Muslim Christmas Stamp. After giving several reasons that the USPS official stamp is a bad idea, it ends with this admonition:

REMEMBER to adamantly and vocally BOYCOTT this stamp when purchasing your stamps at the post office. To use this stamp would be a slap in the face to all those AMERICANS who died at the hands of those whom this stamp honors.

I’ve ALWAYS hated the idea of boycotts, but was never able to clearly articulate my reasoning until I read Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. In this amazing little book Bell calls the followers of Christ to a new direction. So, let me suggest that in the face of sin and sinful times the Church must become a blessing machine

We reclaim the church as a blessing machine not only because that is what Jesus intended from the beginning but also because serving people is the only way their perceptions of church are ever going to change. This is why it is so toxic for the gospel when Christians picket and boycott and complain about how bad the world is. This behavior doesn't help. It makes it worse. It isn't the kind of voice Jesus wants his followers to have in the world. Why blame the dark for being dark? It is far more helpful to ask why the light isn't as bright as it could be.
- Rob Bell

More Heros

2006-08-27T23:55:00.000-04:00

Class of '07

2006-08-14T23:48:00.000-04:00

Sunday night I met with the STAND Ministries Senior class (Taylor, Maddie, and Whitney) and let me just say, "wow".

I am so excited. All three of them are smart, devoted, articulate, and strong leaders. We could have talked for hours. We covered the topics on my list and then many, many other topics. They have a understanding of people and relationships that rival many of the adults I know (including the youth minister). Meeting with them this year is going to be my pleasure. I look forward to hearing their advice, traveling with them and watching God work through them.

Thanks to all three of you for last night. I, for one, needed it.

ps. Thumb to the nose.......twice.

2006-08-13T00:27:00.000-04:00

My Heros:

2006-08-12T16:06:00.000-04:00

2006-06-15T16:08:00.000-04:00

Gone on a Mission Trip. You can keep up with it here:

Mission AICM 2006

C is for Cookie

2006-05-23T23:43:00.000-04:00

You would think that after several months away from the blogsphere that I would come back from the dead with something insightful and profound. Have you met me?

Instead, I’m going to do everyone reading this a huge favor. If you are ever in Huntington, WV – or you are lucky enough to live here then you will thank me later. Anyhew – I love chocolate chip cookies. It’s really my favorite food. There is nothing like cookies and milk. I would eat them every day if I could. I, in no way, claim that this is an exhaustive list, but in my experience the best chocolate chip cookies here in H-town are the following.

Carol Durst’s homemade cookies. I hate to start the list with cookies that are not pubic ally available, but hey, ya gotta do…. So if you know Carol, you probably know that her chocolate chip cookies are the BEST. If you don’t know her and don’t have an inside track to these delectable treats, I suggest the following.

Subway cookies. Specifically the one on Rt. 60. Man, you can’t go wrong with Subway chocolate chip cookies. If they are out of them I would suggest you sweet talk Judy (the manager) into selling you some of the cookie dough. You can go home and cook them yourself.

Max and stinkin’ Erma’s. Unbelievable. They serve them to you hot and ready and for an extra six bucks, with a glass of milk (so Max’s is a little expensive). If you don’t want to wait, I suggest you order them about 15 minutes before you finish your meal.

Welcome to Moe’s. I was not expecting the Mexican version of Subway to have a quality chocolate chip cookie, but I was impressed.

Finally, in possibly the most unexpected place of all, Target. In their little “café” you can buy cookies baked that day. My friend Rob bought me one the other day and it was quality.

If you know of another place of equal or great chocolate chip quality, do tell. I’m always open to try something new.

2006-05-09T16:57:00.000-04:00

YYYEEESSS!!!!!!!!!!

2006-04-04T17:18:00.000-04:00

Paul's Blog

2006-03-16T00:30:00.000-05:00

Try Paul's blog. You won't be sorry.

Paul Huyghebaert

This Road (part 3)

2006-01-31T21:46:00.000-05:00

On Thursday I will be leaving for Nicaragua to take part in a medical mission. You can keep up with the trip by clicking the following post. Please be praying for us.

Mission Nicaragua 2006

This Road (part 2)

2006-01-26T23:37:00.000-05:00

I hate hospitals.

As I descended down A-tower the elevator stopped about half way to the bottom floor. I was joined by a lady whom I can only assume was a young mother. She was crying. This was not a subtle melancholy. What I heard were the gut-wrenching sobs of loss. I’ve been in enough hospitals enough times to recognize this particular brand of agony.

I wanted to help. I wanted so badly to comfort her. I wanted to say something to let her know I understood her pain. But I couldn’t give comfort and I don’t understand her pain. As bad as I hate hospitals, as much as we’ve been through, and as much pain as I feel when we are confronted with Brendan’s heart illness, tomorrow I get to take him home. As bad as it gets, we are indeed richly blessed.

So, I said nothing. I had nothing to offer other than a silent prayer to the one who could help.

The second turn on this month long road-trip brings me to Columbus, Ohio. Another heart procedure behind us I sit and take stock of what is real. In times like these there are some truths that have brought me strength beyond measure.

I don’t know how anyone does this without family. Dana and I are both blessed by a devoted family and an extended spiritual family. The strength we draw from the love that comes from our church is difficult to quantify. To those who covered us in prayer and support, we are in your debt.

Brendan is the strongest person I know. The past two days had to be scary for him. He faced them with the courage of a warrior. With all the pride that only a Dad can truly feel, he is my hero.

Hospital food sucks. The stuff they brought Brendan to eat tonight was not fit for human consumption. I wouldn’t even feed it to the Imlay’s dogs (I’m not sure how this truth has brought me strength, but it feels good complaining about it).

I love my youth group and my youth volunteers. When we walked around the corner tonight to see RonJon, Emma Jo, Rob and Cory waiting in Brendan’s room it was difficult for me to hold back my emotion (at least until they started making fun of me, er, which really wasn’t that long after they arrived). The card we got from Amber was amazing. The calls, letters, and love that have been sent our way keep us going. I have the best job in the world.

People always ask how we do this. The answer I always give is, “God gives us the strength we need.” That strength shows up in many ways, but mainly through relationships, our friends, our family. We are blessed. There is a strength, a power in God’s family. I hope the lady in the elevator knows that strength.

This Road (part 1)

2006-01-24T23:53:00.000-05:00

With a backpack, an i-pod, and a couple of hats in tow, I strike out on a familiar trip to be with my family for my Dad’s surgery. I’ve been so busy. The car provides an oasis of sorts, a resting place, a spot to cool down from the desert heat that has been my life. The singer songwriters fill the listening space in my car delivering thoughts both contemplative and ironic, like the town criers of old, like the ancient prophets spinning their own private brand of truth.

It is in these moments I realize I have spent my entire life traveling to Tennessee, but never really staying. Wherever I have lived I’ve always known the path back. I’m going today for my Dad’s surgery, but I’ll be back in a month for another reason. I used to think it was because I was meant to live there, like I had somehow I had missed my destiny, my one true love. Now I think it’s more about the trip back, or should I say the trip home if home can be a place I’ve never truly lived.

The reason for my trek this time is not an exciting proposition. Although this surgery is a long time coming, the idea of spending any more of my life in a hospital waiting for news is almost unbearable. If it will ease my Dad’s pain at all it will be worth it. It’s amazing how much a few seconds can change your life. Since the accident Dad as not been the same and in a way none of us have.

The surgery was planned to last several hours, but it has only lasted an hour and a half. The doctors told Dad he would be in the hospital for five days, but he is out in less than twenty-four hours. He should not be walking for days, so I guess it’s no surprise that he is walking me to my car to tell me goodbye.

The music on the way home is much more upbeat. Even though Dad is still in pain, there is now hope where there was none before, hope that he can move on from the tragedy that has affected us so. As I reach the place half way between home and home my thoughts turn to my family, to the love Dana and I have for Brendan, and to the uncertainty of the next part of this journey.

I love my life.

I rejoice in what is behind us, and praise God for the trials that are ahead. The strength of the embrace from my son as I walk in the door brings emotions for which I am not yet ready. He’s going to need that strength.

2006-01-12T11:22:00.000-05:00

The First Annual Welty Family Reunion

2005-11-15T14:05:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was the first time my immediate family had been together in one place at one time for a couple of years. I went into the weekend with some fear. As is the case with most families, we have our issues. But I came away from the weekend feeling relaxed and refreshed and generally felling pretty good about where are family is at this point. Here are some general impressions of the weekend.

For a family to remain close there has to be a spirit of mercy and forgiveness. If there had been an attempt to enumerate all of the things we had done to each other over the years, it would have taken a week. We all have things that we are not proud of. Especially me. The desire to let things go has overcome the instinct to hold a grudge for community to exist. The weekend was pretty much drama free, it was nice.

There were four ministers there. I am proud to be a part of a family that has that many ministers per capita.

My son Brendan and his cousin Tucker became fast friends. There were adventures and epic light-saber battles that are the stuff of legends. At one point in the weekend my sister found them standing on top of the Explorer. Not on the hood, on the top. When she told them to get down Brendan replied, “It’s my car.” It reminds me of the fun I had with my cousins over the years. I hope they remain friends and both grow up to be youth ministers.

We learned that Krystal is not a good idea when seventeen members of a family have to share a couple of bathrooms.

We also learned that laughter and prayer are the glue that holds families together. And churches for that matter.

Under Bridges

2005-10-21T22:26:00.000-04:00

'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' - Jesus Christ

I've heard a lot of people try to explain this statement by Jesus. But, the best presentation of this concept comes from the song Under Bridges. This guy in Mexico reminded me of why this really matters (you can click on the picture for a larger view).

Brave St. Saturn – Under Bridges

Yesterday while walking,
Beneath an overpass,
I saw the figure of Jesus,
Standing barefoot on broken glass.
His beard was graying,
The smell of urine filled the air,
Asking if I had some change,
Anything that I could spare.

Emaciated,
His shaking fists balled up,
Influenza and pneumonia,
Begging God to take his cup.
So different from his pictures,
Breathing air through yellowed tubes,
Jesus Christ, dying of AIDS,
Can look right through you.

And all have hated,
Crucified and walked away,
The Savior of the prostitutes,
Drunkards, rapists,
and the gays.

Under bridges,
With hands raised,
From the ghettos they praise his name.
Broke and crippled in the dark of night,
Raise your voices to Jesus Christ,
Hallelujah.

In a world where we have more and more difficulty loving those whom God would have us love these words cry out…it’s time to treat our Savior the way he deserves to be treated.

A Mental Vacation

2005-10-14T09:36:00.000-04:00

Click on image for larger view.

The Last "Top Five" List (at least for a while)

2005-10-12T00:23:00.000-04:00

Ok, I don’t want to go overboard on the whole “top five” list thing, but I was recently compelled to enumerate my favorite “Reality” television shows. So, I thought I would share them with the world. Not so much the world. Let me try again…so I thought I would share them with the half-a-dozen or so that actually read this drivel.

Anyway, The Top Five Reality Shows

#5 Super Nanny – This stuff doesn’t get old. Poor parenting is the curse of my generation. We should all have her on speed-dial.

#4 Trading Spaces – There is nothing better than someone coming home and hating their room. I don’t know what’s more compelling, when the couple tries to play it off like they don’t hate it or when there’s that awkward friendship ending stare-down at the end of the show.

#3 Real World v. Road Rules – I hate the drama. I hate the typical post-teen hedonism. But, the games are cool.

#2 Rock Star – It was like American Idol with attitude. I’ve never been a fan of INXS but it was fun watching the contestants play some songs I really love. Of course they chose the wrong guy. I think the second place guy could make an album with the house band and exceed a rapidly aging second-rate 80’s band.

#1 Breaking Bonaduce – No doubt about this one. There is nothing like seeing an alcoholic, steroid using, psychopath destroy his career and his family all in the name of entertainment. It’s like baseball season without the trouble of playing 162 games. I loved the Partridge Family. Who didn’t? I’m not saying I don’t feel for the guy, and most of the time it’s not easy to watch. I guess in the end I’m rooting for him to pull it together, but I’m not very confident.

Go Bucs

2005-10-03T17:49:00.000-04:00

Meanderings of an ADD Mind

2005-10-03T10:15:00.000-04:00

Well, the Gators got slapped around the field this weekend by Alabama. After such a depressing loss there’s only one thing I can say. Go Tampa Bay Bucs. At least one of my teams is still undefeated.

It makes a fellow think. I haven’t heard one thing about the Black Action Network or the Rainbow Coalition giving aid to New Orleans. All of the claims of racism by their leaders, but where are they – it’s all just talk. And who is left to pick up the pieces – the churches.

If the next presidential nomination to the Supreme Court is going to be filibustered no matter what, why not throw someone up there just right of Attila the Hun. That way the next guy or gal doesn’t look quite as bad.

I don’t know why youth ministers get the rap for being disorganized. We typically organize more events and trips that anyone else in the…er… has anyone seen my cell phone?

I have this reoccurring dream that I get to heaven and ask God what my purpose in life was. He quickly responds, “There was this boy at the carnival who was about to run over by the guy driving the kiddy train. If you wouldn’t have yelled ‘watch out’ he would have never gone on to be this great man of God.” In the dream I reply, “that was it?’ “Yup, everything else was just icing.”

I don’t believe most polls.

I wonder how much you should worry about your reputation. Last week I heard that I guy I really respected didn’t care much for me. It bothered me at first, then I realized I can’t think of one thing I’ve done to the guy. I don’t know, but I’m glad God shows more grace than many of his followers are willing to show.

There are times that I am reminded of why I chose ministry. I love being a youth minister. It’s working for a church that gets on my nerves.

Brendan told me this weekend that he wanted to go to New Orleans to help with the storm victims. Last week he gave up part of his allowance (unsolicited) to send it down there. Every parent thinks their kid is great, at least until they hit sixth grade. But, I am very proud of my kid.

Speaking of children – Matt McDowell is a father. The kid weighs four pounds and already knows three chords.

A Little Tuesday Poetry

2005-09-20T17:48:00.000-04:00

Christ is the pledge that I shall one day see;
That one day, still with him, I shall awake,
And know my God, at one with him and free.
O lordly essence, come to life in me;
The will-throb let me feel that doth me make;
Now have I many a mighty hope in thee,
Then shall I rest although the universe should quake.

- George MacDonald "Diary of an Old Soul" May 10

If I were in New Orleans

2005-09-02T16:58:00.000-04:00

If I were there in the middle of that mess I would have a couple requests of the media.

"Put down the camera and the microphone and hand me a glass of water. While your at it, take the camera equipment out of that helocopter for a sec and give me a lift to somewhere that doesn't stink like dead people."

"No? Oh well, sorry for bothering you. I guess you can go back to blaming it all on the President."

Top Five List on Steroids

2005-08-31T16:00:00.000-04:00

Ok, so me and several of my closest friends have been playing the “top five list” game for a couple of years now. It started out as a way to discuss music. Then it became a way to argue about music. It spread out to many other categories. The longer we did it, the more specialized or obscure the topics became (example: top five bands you would want to play at the memorial concert in honor of your death, or top five eighties movies that played on your Cold War fears [by the way, I hate to do a parenthetical reference inside of a parenthetical reference, but anyone who doesn’t pick Red Dawn as number one in that last category either wasn’t alive during the eighties or was snorting cocaine the entire decade]). Back in the Live Journal days the top five list spread to the blogsphere. Now that Toney Stowers has started posting them to his site I can foresee the top five list spreading even further. I think is should be a show on VH1. Oh, wait a minute, it used to be a show on VH1. I guess it got cancelled because Nick Taylor, Cory Jackson, RobWill, Toney Stowers and I were never invited to appear on the show.

Tonight I feel the need to elevate the top five list to a entirely new therapeutic level. Doing the lists always make me feel a little better, but never quite so much as this one. It is time for me use this honored institution as a vehicle to vent some frustrations.

So without further unnecessary explanation – The Top Five Things that are currently Getting on My Nerves.

#5 Hurricane Coverage – specifically these guys that go out and get right in the middle of the wind and rain so you can see just how bad a hurricane really is. I’m sure the first person who did this won some kind of journalistic award. Now they just come across as morons. Am I the only person that secretly hopes one of these guys gets hit in the head with a street sign? There are people who have no choice whether or not to ride out the storm, occasionally with tragic consequences. We don’t need these guys going out there pretending to be heroic.

#4 Overzealous Sport Fans – I have to careful here, because everyone knows I’m a huge Florida Gator fan. The difference between me and those of whom I speak is simply, I will occasionally acknowledge that are teams that are better than the Gators. I will admit that they occasionally deserve to lose a game or two. I know a guy who believes the Tennessee Volunteers have never lost a game that they didn’t deserve to win. After losing three games last year he was trying to figure out a scenario in which the Vols could still get a piece of the National Championship. I know another guy, who at the slightest mention that a team might have been better than the Steelers, writes a dissertation on why that can’t be true (see “comments” on the last post). As it turns out he’s probably correct, but geez. If he had worked that hard on anything in college he would now be a Nuclear Physicist. And don’t even get me started on fantasy teams. Sports are meant to be fun. If you’ve ever been kicked out of a little league game for yelling at your kid’s coach you might be a little too serious.

#3 Territorial Drivers – The other day I was trying to change lanes on Rt. 60 and three cars sped up so as to NOT let me over. One of them was a member of my church (I don’t know if it is worse if they did or didn’t recognize me). Huntington has more churches than any place I have ever lived. I guess that whole WWJD thing doesn’t apply when you’re behind the wheel.

#2 So called Religious Leaders that call for the assignation of heads of state. Have you heard about this? Every time I see ‘ole Pat on television I want to take out an advertisement with his picture on it saying on behalf of all Christendom, “THIS MAN DOES’T REPRESENT US, he has lost it. Please don’t judge the local church in your neighborhood by what this lunatic says.” Then the next day he said he didn’t mean what it was clear that he had said. I’m not a pacifist. As a matter of fact the modern peace movement in this country drives me almost as batty. I know that war is occasionally necessary but advocating assignation seems to go against one of the Ten Commandments, mainly, Do Not Murder.

And the #1 thing that is currently getting on my nerves – Cats.

It's Almost Football Season

2005-08-27T23:44:00.000-04:00

Master in the Mountains

2005-08-25T17:59:00.000-04:00

(I asked Cory Jackson, one of our graduates, to write about Master in the Mountains - an "end of summer" hiking trip we take every year to honor our graduates. Here are his thoughts)

I stood, rather infirmly, teetering between life and death on a rock that has most likely watched more than one person plunge to their death and hadn’t seemed to take a particular interest or liking to me. I cautiously leaned out over the valley separating Charlie’s Bunion (our particular death wish) and the next potential Fear Factor stunt. I stared at the ground and the distance between us and realized why “The Wizzled One” needed a new transmission and perhaps a tire rotation.

However, I knew that I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else, especially back on the old reliable, sweltering bus with Joe Crash recounting his exploits in his appealing, singsong voice. I’ll even go so far as to say, I’d have picked that particular foot abnormality over Galaga or Mrs. Pac-man back at the cabin. There’s something about being surrounded by God’s creation that is very conducive to the thought process.

First, I thought about Luke because hearing him announce his bunion was probably the funniest series of events this side of the Mason Dixon Line. Then I wondered why I like to pepper my writing with Civil War era references. I thought about how much I bawled when I had to do Luke’s put-ups and then, remembered that I was to be put through that same ceremony in a few hours.

Even when I opened my eyes to observe the amazing worship experience going on around me that night in the cabin, I couldn’t see Cousin John for all the raised hands and sobs could be heard in the pauses between songs. Praise echoed off the walls loud and sincere, as close to the supreme and absolute surrender God deserves, as I have ever been involved in. There is no doubt the Holy Spirit was among us.

There was an energy left in the room as our worship time ended and put-ups were about to begin. Put-ups were a mix of remembering laughs we’d had together, life-impacting moments and wishes for the future. I could tell you exactly what everyone said about each other, I could tell you how many people cried, how much I didn’t want it to end, but it was truly something you had to be there for.

The next morning we packed up and loaded onto the bus like any other trip, but we knew it wasn’t just another return trip home. This was the last one, in a lot of ways, for a lot of people and one that all of us will remember.

CoJack

Tri-State Bible Camp - Teen Week

2005-08-22T21:16:00.000-04:00

There are several things different about the way we do camp. We stay up a little too late, we sleep in a little too long, we play a little too hard, and we are a little louder than we are supposed to be. We concentrate on kids not rules, relationships not schedules. There have been some criticisms over the years, but those of us who have been in it for the long haul have seen God do some amazing, AMAZING things.

I’ve said that with the sixteen baptisms we had last year that it was as close to Pentecost as I have ever been. Well, if that true then this year is as close to heaven as I’ve ever been. On Wednesday night at the (flashlight) campfire I sat and watched 100 campers and adults worship as I have never seen. I saw young and old lift their hearts before God not caring who was around them or what anyone else thought. I listened to several kids and adults tell the story of God working in their lives. It was a great night to be at camp.

There are other thoughts I’ve had since camp that are worth sharing.
- I don’t know how I would get through the week without Toney, Paul, and Jake.
- I thought Craig did a wonderful job of leading our hearts to God all week.
- No one broke up with Cory, which made camp a lot better.
- Caitlin is an artist; she made a couple of the lessons come alive.
- I think Russ may have had to buy a new air mattress,
- Rob Durst took our camp to a whole new technological level.
- Ross got a homecoming date.
- Steve Fox didn’t almost die, that’s a plus.
- Sergeant Travis and Private RonJon made me laugh all week.
- I love my Aunt Layna, and so does everyone else.
- We have an incredible camp staff.
- No doubt about it. God lives at camp.

Truth is, I love camp. It makes me happy just being there. It makes me happy that my wife and my child love it as much as I do. No matter what my job is, if I can still walk, you will be able to find me at a camp somewhere during the summer.

Finally, a vacation

2005-08-11T15:13:00.000-04:00

After an amazing summer, in which we have traveled thousands of miles with teenagers, it is now time for a much needed vacation with just my family. When I return next week I will post about camp (which was amazing) and Master in the Mountains
(whic was also, er, amazing). Until then...

Mission Team 2005

2005-08-11T15:11:00.000-04:00

Mission Trips in General

2005-08-11T15:03:00.000-04:00

(for a month since the trip I have been trying to put on paper my feelings about our mission trips over the past few years. So here goes...)

I wish that I could easily sum up my experience on mission trips the past few years. It would be a ridiculous task to try to explain all of the little ways that I have been touched, and it would be almost impossible to relate to you the warmth I hold for the Native American and Mexican people. However, for a little while I am going to try to explain from within my heart how a few weeks each summer can come to mean so much.

Partly, I think it’s because each destination provides real opportunities to work for the Lord’s renown.

Even though God has brought them together in my heart, the work with the Native American children at AICM, and the Medical Missions in Mexico are compelling for completely different reasons. In Mexico there is a physical poverty that exceeds anything I have experienced before. But the people are not altogether unhappy. There is a warmth and a continent that I have rarely experienced in the US. When I see the gratitude and the smiles shown to us by the Mexican people I am compelled to do anything I can to help them.

The Apache and Navajo children we work with at the American Indian Christian Mission are much more economically fit. Our government, in its inexplicable policy toward Native Americans, has at least held up the standard of living to minimal levels. But there is an emotional bankruptcy that is even more disturbing than what we see in Mexico. It is seen in the alcoholism rates that in some areas rise to 60%. It is seen in the teen suicide rate that is more than five times the national average. When I hear the stories of abuse, and when I when I catch a glimpse of a child with the haunted gaze of hopelessness, I am compelled to shine any light I have into their lives.

The people we have come in contact with over the past few years also provide a significant reason these trips get inside of me.

People like Wade and Dara who gave up lucrative careers to teach Native American kids, and who have let God lead them more than any couple I know. People like Antonio who suffers from a hip defect that caused him to pull himself around on his hands until he was 13 years old. Now, after several procedures in the states, he is a powerful influence for God in Guaymas, Mexico. People like Gene who is a big gruff guy, but when he honks the horn in the big blue bus you can see the size of his heart as the Apache kids come running. People like Nathan, a young missionary we met in Mexico this summer, whose strength and maturity reach far beyond his age. People like Carlos who was homeless and an alcoholic until God changed his life. Now he is a light to the community and a hard worker for God in the church at Guaymas. And there are so many more I could mention. These people are putting it on the line for God every day. They have come to mean so much to our group, so much to me. I am inspired by their courage and their dedication to God, and I hope to be more like them when I grow up.

While on these trips there is a feeling, a sense of urgency that comes over the participants that is difficult to describe. It’s like nothing else matters. You feel as if there is nothing more important going on in the world that what is happening that particular day in that particular place. Few people make any attempt to keep up with news, stock quotes, or sports – it’s just not as important. Would that all of God’s people feel that kind of urgency, that kind of clarity of purpose. Would that we all could experience more often what it is like to totally live in the moment. It is emancipating.

Of this there is no doubt. God works in these trips. He always has. And we have seen amazing signs of his presence.

He has given us a light show at the top of a mountain. He has put together a mission trip in less that twenty-four hours in the most stressful of situations. He has held his hand over his buildings, as there was fire all around. He has built an organization in two countries out of a chance meeting between his people from Huntington and Memphis. He has displayed his glory to us in fireworks and in a sunset over the Grand Canyon.

Truth is, I love these trips. God has filled my life with far more than I have ever given. I can’t wait until next summer.

This Week's Top Five List

2005-08-09T11:51:00.000-04:00

Top Five Bands or Artists that I secretly enjoy but am afraid to admit:

5. Dashboard Confessional
4. Journey
3. Kelly Clarkson
2. Iron Maiden
1. Prince

HMCA in morning light

2005-08-04T16:28:00.000-04:00

I'm Still Alive

2005-08-04T16:21:00.000-04:00

Yea, yea. I haven't posted in a while.

The reason is simple. Mission Trip for ten days, a week and a half for camp preperations, two weeks at camp and Friday we leave for Master in the Mountains. I'm not complaining. It has been one of the coolest months of my life. But, it has been chaos.

I will post about the mission trip, and about camp when I have more time. Also, I took a really cool picture yesterday that I'll try to get up.

For now let me say that God is good. Mission Trips and Bible Camps are where he lives. And I am doing great.

ttfn - george

Blogger Voice Mail (AHHH MEXICO)

2005-06-30T14:34:00.000-04:00

Hello, you reached George's weblog. He is currently in Mexico and cannot be reached. Please leave a message and he will return in ten days.

If you need immediate assistance, you can reach him at:

Mexico Mission 2005

At this site you will be informed of the current progress of the mission in Guaymas.

Again, thank you for logging on. Hope to hear from you again soon.

2005-06-28T14:33:00.000-04:00

The following are blogs that really crack me up. The first two are friends, the other one is a guy I met through the blogsphere. Happy reading.

Rob Williamson

Matt Elliott

Gustavo Keener

2005-06-26T23:19:00.000-04:00

Site 40

Rockin' the FOUR-ZERO

2005-06-26T22:45:00.000-04:00

This week I had the privilege of being a site-leader at the Mid-Ohio Valley Workcamp. There were over 540 workers that painted forty-one houses.

My group was crew 40.

(Quick note: If you don't want to know my personal feelings about each of my group members, and I can't imagine why you wouldn't, skip to the last paragraph. There is a point to all of this)

The crew consisted of the following workers:

George from West Virginia – The fearful rule-breaking leader. I’ve never painted anything that didn’t eventually have to be repainted. Not really site-leader material.

Debbie from New Jersey – Debbie may have had a hang-up (or ten). Very driven, very hard working, very maternal, and had a difficult time expressing her opinion er, maybe not so much. She was also an experienced painter.

Beef from Florida – I’m not sure what Beef’s real name is. I do know that he’s a Gator fan, so we had at least that in common. He is a fixer, which came in handy, because we had a lot that needed fixing on the house.

Kailey from Florida – The brains behind Beef. She didn’t have a lot to say, but when she talked, it was important.

Emma Jo from Ohio – I love that kid. She’s like having a mom on the trip, and she is as ADD as, well… me.

Mary from New Jersey – Mary was a hoot. Especially when she tried to run and jump with her leg in a cast. She was a great worker and never complained about her leg. I got some guys in the youth group that qualify as plan E, F, and G.

Dee from Connecticut – One of the “Roof Girls.” Dee is the coolest mix between Nicaraguan and Italian that I’ve ever met. Her heart for God blew me away. Remember, I get to preach the wedding.

Sam from Tennessee by way of Texas – Sammy has quite the fro. And he kept us laughing the entire week. What is it about people from Texas thinking God made Texas first?

Mallorie from Florida – The quiet leader. She worked the entire week. She did everything she was asked to do, and her sweet spirit kept us going.

Brandon from Connecticut – Brandon was an amazing worker. I gave him all of the difficult jobs on the site, and he did them without complaint. He also gave me a run for my money in sports trivia. He was definitely the point guard of our team.

Hope from Tennessee – The other “Roof Girl.” Hope was a lot of fun to work with. She climbed on the roof and painted no matter how hot it was. She was always there with a comment or a story to make the work go faster.

Dwayne from New Jersey – Also one of the coolest fros I’ve ever seen. Dwayne didn’t do anything fast. Didn’t move fast, didn’t paint fast and didn’t talk fast. But, he cracked me up every day. He never complained about anything. He’s one of those guys who is just cool, without really trying.

Cole from Next Door – Cole was a nine year old who lived next door and came over for one of devos. The next day he painted with us and had a blast. He followed Beef around so much we started calling him Little Beef.

Then there was Kacy and Alli from good ole West Virginia – I mention these two together because it’s difficult to separate them in my mind. I would say they drove me crazy, but it wouldn’t be entirely true. They are my girls and I’m going to slowly kill any guy that tries to date them. For now I’m okay because they are both too scared to talk to guys.

Here’s the thing. By the end of the four days together we were saying things to each other typically reserved for the closest of friends. It’s not surprising; Christ was all about eating with his disciples and meeting the needs of others with his disciples. If Site 40 can get that close after four days, imagine what a church could be if all of its members would pick up a hammer, and together go to work.

Return of the Top Five List

2005-06-26T16:26:00.000-04:00

All of my friends (just three) have been playing Top Five List for a couple of years now. The basic premise is to come up with a topic ranging from the mundane to the outrageous. Come up with your own personal top five list in that category. Then, make fun of everyone else's list. Feel free to chime in with you personal list. CoJack and Nick are going to help with the first one.

Top Five Songs of the Year

5. Humble - Matt McDizzle
4. Days of Elijah - Rob Wizzle
3. Amaze Me - Brian Patterson
2. Country Feelin' - Jeff Garrett
1. Jesus Loves Me (Just kidding, its a good one though)

2005-06-18T11:55:00.000-04:00

Seneca Rocks on Memorial Day

Christ's Prayer for Unity, and the Power of Four-Squares

2005-06-18T11:52:00.000-04:00

A few weekends ago several families went to Seneca Rocks for the Memorial Day weekend. It didn’t take long for several of the kids to mark out a four-square court. Soon some of the greatest four-square games in history were taking place on that court. It was amazing.

Apparently four-square rules have changed since my grade school days. There were all kinds of rules I had never heard of. Also, because there are so many rules, the person who made it to the fourth square got to name his rules. For example, Riley’s rules were buzzstops but no kills. Taylor’s rules (my favorite by the way) were kills but no setups and no buzzstops. Everyone had a different set of rules; it was a little confusing, but great fun.

Soon campers from other sites were taking part in the four-square excellence. It was becoming quite the sporting event. Steve from Morgantown came over to play. He was there with a group of rock climbers that come to the Seneca Rocks every Memorial Day. Steve’s four-square rules drove us crazy (and were too complicated to explain in this space). Every time he got in square four I thought about quitting the game. We were nice to him, at first, but soon we were giving him the business like we would if we had known him for years. We were brutal.

By Sunday Steve had become a four-square evangelist. He recruited John and Mike from his group to come over and play. As the conversations took place during the game we learned they were all members of a Seventh Day Adventist church in Morgantown. At one point Mike brought over a guitar and was playing worship songs. John, Rob and I invited them to come over for our worship time, and we invited Mike to lead our worship. It was great. We knew a lot of the same songs. They taught us a song or two, and we taught them one as well. We had communion together. Rob led the devotional thought. It was a nice time.

I guess we could have spent those days explaining our theological differences. They would have been wrong about some things, we would have been wrong about some others. But we worship the same God and the same risen savior. I’m not sure, but I hope that what Christ was praying for in the garden. I don’t think unity necessarily means conformity. Unity is a joint Church of Christ, Seventh Day Adventist worship, maybe the first one ever.

Wednesday Night Quote of the Week Strikes Back

2005-06-16T00:58:00.000-04:00

"Has anyone heard from Nick?"

Ripple Effect

2005-06-11T17:50:00.000-04:00

When Sean Nine said he wanted to come back and find God, he meant it.

I met Sean during his junior year. I was at the park with some of my boys playing football. We met up with some kids from Huntington High who also wanted to play. Sean covered me (which wasn’t too difficult). He was memorable because he hadn’t cut his hair in a couple of years at the time. He looked like chubby Jesus.

A year later I was surprised to see him walk in our church. As it turned our Sean attended our church as a second and third grader. He had decided that it was time for him to find God, and he decided the best place for him to start was where he began. He was baptized and started attending regularly. With only two months to go in his senior year I found myself wishing that he could have come back to our group sooner. I would think, “If I had Sean in the youth group for all four years, he could have had quite the impact.”

I hate it when I try to limit God.

Pretty soon after Sean arrived he invited his friend Nick. Nick became a very significant member of our youth group. Soon after that several members of Nick’s family started coming. Rachel, Nick’s cousin, has a ministry to children and some of the international students at Marshall University. She brings many people to church with her. Nick also brought his friend Cory. Since then Cory has been baptized, and he has brought Alex, Vinny and even Ryan occasionally (not to mention the fact that Cory became a great leader in our group). Cory’s girlfriend, Whitney, started to come and brought her sister Katie and Anna (a foreign exchange student from Germany).

Let’s recap. All of a sudden Sean comes back to find God. Now we have close to twenty people who occasionally or regularly come to our church. That is quite a ripple effect from a guy who came back with only two months left in his senior year.

This week Sean is in Afghanistan trying to bring the light of Christ to a war torn and desperate land. For some reason God put Afghanistan on Sean’s heart soon after he accepted Christ. He’s not the kind of guy you would look at and say, ‘wow, now that guy is an evangelist.” But there is something special about that kid. He’s going to do big things for the kingdom.

2005-05-15T09:53:00.000-04:00

March Snow

GQ Article

2005-05-10T21:07:00.000-04:00

Click on this:

GQ Article

This is an "outsider's" view of a Christian music festival. This is a long read, but well worth it.

Wednesday Night Applebee's Quote of the Week

2005-05-04T22:59:00.000-04:00

We would like to thank Jessica and Eric for making it to “guys” night out at Abblebee’s. Also it was nice to have Alex back in the fold.

Now – quote of the week.

George: Guys, I think I’m going to cancel Sunday Night Small Groups for the summer and I need something both fun and inspirational to replace it with. Any ideas?

Cory: Hate crimes?

2005-05-03T01:04:00.000-04:00

The Church that meets in Guaymas, Mexico

Once Upon a Time in Mexico

2005-05-02T15:19:00.000-04:00

At the fear of sounding like Matt McDowell, there was a moment the last time I was in Mexico that changed my life. I still have a difficult time discussing the event.

I was on a mission trip with the teens, and I walked into the room where we had been eating and scolded them for leaving so much food lying around the table. They quickly threw it all away and I quickly forgot about the incident.

That day a group from Guaymas, Mexico had traveled to Agua Prieta to talk Antonio, their former preacher, into returning to the congregation in Guaymas. After selling tamales and crafts to make money for the trip, twenty-two of them piled in a fifteen passenger van and made the six hour trip to Agua Prieta without any air conditioning (it was about 107o outside). They arrived during one of our nightly devotionals. Not knowing the circumstances of their journey, I asked them to join us at the devo. They sang with us in English (not very well) and we sang with them in Spanish (also, not very well). The look of joy on their faces as they sang and praised their God would become one of the reasons I fell to my knees in tears later that night.

After the devotional they invited me to a meeting about Antonio returning to Guaymas. They wanted some of the American’s input on the whole situation. The meeting didn’t mean a whole lot to me – I don’t speak Spanish. What I gathered from the spanglish translated to me was that Antonio had agreed to go back and everyone was generally happy with the decision. As the meeting was closing and I was walking out, Rene (my friend from Memphis) looked at me with tears welling up and said, “This is the first time they have eaten all day.” That’s when it hit me. They were eating the food from the garbage can. The food we had so casually thrown away that day had become the first meal of the day for the Christians from Guaymas. The people who had sold food and crafts to travel six hours in the Mexican heat in a van with no air conditioner and no food just to do what they thought was best for their church spent their evening praising God and eating our garbage. I will never get over it. After hearing the story several members of our group made sure they ate more than our leftovers that night.

Right now I am in middle of planning a trip to Guaymas for our teens this summer. Planning one of these trips is never fun – there are a lot of details that have to be taken care of. But, when I get bogged down one thing that keeps me motivated is what I learned about faith that night in Mexico. We say we are going down to help the Mexican people, but make no mistake. The Mexican Christians help us more than we will ever help them. Their faith that night humbles me still, it changes me still.

2005-04-28T00:23:00.000-04:00

Desert Sunset, Agua Prieta Mexico

Wednesday Night Quote of the Week

2005-04-28T00:09:00.000-04:00

Every Wednesday night I go to Applebee’s with a group of former students and friends. It’s a hysterical time filled with laughter and fun. Every time we come away with some jewel of wisdom or comment that puts us under the table with laughter. As they happen I will be posting them as the Wednesday Night Quote of the Week. They will remain uncredited simply because all present contribute to most of the comments worth posting.

Those usually present are myself, RobWill (when we’re lucky), Emma Jo, Rob Durst, Nick, and CoJack.

So without further explanation, the Wednesday Night Quote of the Week:

“If you could lose weight writing poetry I would rewrite the Illiad.”

This was only the second funniest thing said tonight, but the other one does not meet any level of appropriateness.

Peace.

2005-04-27T12:46:00.000-04:00

Brendan at the Grand Canyon

Welcome to my Journal

2005-04-26T21:39:00.000-04:00

Well, welcome to my blog. I’ve tried this once before and it didn’t work out too well. I’ve decided to give the whole journaling thing a try. I DO NOT promise that it will be well written or exciting. I don’t claim to have any original insight or answers to any cosmic questions. I’m just a guy, In love with my family, happy with my life, and trying to catch a glimpse of a God I do not fully understand.

My life had been difficult at times, but also it’s been good. I’m happy sometimes, sad sometimes, mad sometimes and ADD all of the time. If I make some big declarative statement it’s because I know what I like and not because I think my opinion is superior to others. If I come across as brash or arrogant, it’s because I grew up around a lot of people who are brash and arrogant and that was the only way to survive. Or, it’s because I am overcompensating for insecurities. Either way I hope to be completely honest in this place.

If you have found this journal on purpose or by accident, I hope you find something you enjoy. Please comment about any topic.

To start the blog off right, here are some life statements that will give you a glimpse of who I am.

I BELIEVE God is alive and real and that he knows us better than we think
I BELIEVE photography is the best way for me to enjoy his art
I BELIEVE relationships are more important than being right
I BELIEVE Jesus wouldn’t feel comfortable in most churches that carry his name
I BELIEVE Mexico is the place I am happiest
I BELIEVE the Mountains in Smoky Mountain National Park come in a close second
I BELIEVE this generation of teens are smarter and more “together” than my generation
I BELIEVE happiness cannot be found in more stuff (even though I’ve tried)
I BELIEVE Led Zeppelin is greatest band of all times
I BELIEVE that lately I listen to Dave Matthews Band more often that I listen to Zeppelin
I BELIEVE my son is a genius, and so is my wife
I BELIEVE my Dad is my best friend

Mostly I believe that Jesus was the greatest example on how to live. I wish more “Christians” would examine how he lived and not define themselves through politics, popularity, wealth, or any other artificial standard created by this world.

Peace, george