Agnostic

Most of the people with whom I have shared experiences and beliefs of my faith have been already somewhat willing to believe similarly. This morning was not such an occasion.

I have spent the last year building an very casual friendship with the man that runs the gas station a/b a block from my apartment. I usually go in 3-4 times a week for coffee, soda, gas, etc. In the past year, we have made small talk, commented on top news stories, talked about a few of his interests (he custom paints motorcycles, rebuilds laptop computers, writes, and is currently working on a proposal for 'floating houses').

Today, out of nowhere, he finally asked me what I do. I told him that I work with teenagers and college students through a local church. We spent the next hour in give-and-take conversation about faith. This guy is an extremely intelligent young man, who used politics, chemistry, phsycology, business, and philosophy to describe his thoughts. (Obviously he is much smarter than I...me...uh, whatever). Much of thoughts foucsed on belief's relationship with ego. He said many things that were common to many of my own frustrations with myself and my christian brothers and sisters...and yet, he was so lacking in the faith that it takes to make sense of faith that it was a revolving conversation. I never approached any part of the conversation from any firmer stance than what makes most sense to me and where my passion has led me. I never felt like we were arguing or debating, or anything of the sort...we just shared some doughnuts and talked...but when I left I acknowledged that it has been a while since I have been so stretched in conversation by someone with no interest in faith in a God. He said that he enjoys the conversation and would like to continue talking...I'm exhausted just blogging a/b it!

It is nice to be able to share doughnuts and conversation. It is difficult though -- to be so far from bringing hope.

Prayer

I can't remember the last time that I responded when someone asks in a group setting: "Who has any prayer requests?". I generally am pretty private about my needs and worries. I consider much of my personal prayer life intimate...and only share with a few people that are either family, or considered family.

But, sitting in my office @ 6:00p on Friday, I feel very tired, both emotionally and physically. I may be trying to extend myself in too many directions, and am definintley trying to do too much on my own. If you, my friends, could do me a big favor, and please acknowledge my prayer requests.

-I am leaving in one week to take a group of 25 to Arizona for 10 days to lead 2 camps + worship services. I don't have very much help on this trip, and even though the details and packing are all finished...my heart and my mind are near prepared. Please pray for spiritual refreshment over the next week as I finish my messages and preparing the music and videos for the services. Pray that I begin the trip with patience.

-I have, of course, overloaded my own summer schedule with responsiblities. Pray that I am diligent and work for the excellence of God's glory.

-I am beginning to look for a part time job for the fall to suppliment my church responsibilities. I have made contact with a non-profit poverty relief group that I respect highly about a possible opportunity.

I know most of the people who check in on my blog...and I would thank you for praying on my behalf.

Lots of love. Peace.

New Topic

How did my blog become an all basketball blog? I guess that's what happens during the playoffs!

New Topic for commenting:
Talk to me about bivocational and lay ministry.

You know when ministers give their story...and you hear so many of them talk a/b running from God's call...yada yada yada...Well, I never felt that. I ran full speed into my call...until recently I recognized the way in which I too, have become the cliche' Jonah story. Here's how it has been for me. I ran toward vocational ministry (on the condition of my ministry being my primary source of income). I have spent way too much time placing conditions around my response to God's directions for my life. I now better understand and am fully satisfied that I am supposed to be a bivocational minister...for many reasons, that span an aray of motivations...which I am conitinuing to discover. I will comment a little later on describing more of the reasons why...or at least what I feel I can say here...but I first want to hear what you think a/b bivocational and/or lay ministry...+s and -s and personal experinces and feelings.

Sad, Sad, Saturday

Well, last night I drowned my sorrows in peanut butter and honey...and let me tell you-2 bowls of peanut butter DOES NOT make the pain go away...you just get full.

The Dallas Mavericks fought hard last night...although some of them (Dirk and Finley) did not necessarily fight well, just hard - regardless, the outcome: it is now time to retire my Mavs jersey for the off-season. Game 6 can definintley be described as "entertaining". I may have actually stopped breathing for a few minutes of the overtime (I still feel a little dizzy). This was of course, great first-time playoff experience for Terry and more experince for Howard (who has a great career ahead of him). Maybe if (this hurts me to so it), maybe if we find a new solution for Finley and maybe if Dirk can grow his mojo (his hair) back- we will be a better team next year. But for a team that went through injuries, new poin, new center, and a mid-season coaching change--not too bad. Avery said last night, that if the Mavs didn't take a title in the next couple of years that the Mavs should find a coach who will win them a title--he is preety determined that Dallas goes all the way...and personally, I think he could be the guy to @ least get us there.

And, now...I pick the Suns over the Spurs...and then on to the obvious Miami Heat in the Finals. I will pull out my old Dan Marjle jersey and my Steve Nash gear and watch them take the title.

Don't forget to look @ my last post...and shout out your comment on the trade options listed! Oh, and what do you propose we do with Finley?

Two Questions for Polling - Please Comment.

QUESTION 1
Interesting thought...
Knowing what we know now, what deal SHOULD Cuban have done last year?
1)Trade Nash to make money for Damp?
2)Trade Dirk straight up for Amare? (and do you think Pheonix would have done this?)

Also, what part did Finley play...(Finley's contract is really what caused us not to have $ to keep Nash--could we have, should we have traded finley--if so, who for?) If Finley was gone, we could have had Nash and a center.

Nash for Damp OR Dirk for Amare


QUESTION 2
-From ESPN radio, Who is worse?
1)Star Wars geeks
2)Fantasy sports geeks

Oh My!

Last night was great for a fan like me. My favorite, Steve Nash scores 48pts! - but my team, the Mavs still take the win! Josh Howard, who has risen to be one of my favorite players to watch had a monster night with 29 pts/10bounds/2assists/2stls.


I had to wear my Nash Mavericks jersey!

Scottie Pippen's Take

Hey-NBA fans, I have really enjoyed reading Scottie Pippen's NBA blog during the playoffs...I have decided to link it in my sidebar so that you can follow along...you can also click here to check it out.

WHAT-A-NIGHT

WHAT-A-NIGHT!

My boy Steve Nash gets 23pts/13ast/3rbds!
Reggie Miller (I bought his jersey in 7th grade) officially announces retirement
Mike Finley leads the Mavs to a win over the Suns! (Damp had a good game, Dirk did well, but Finley owned the game!!)

Dr. Phil

Ever since I first heard the name "Dr. Phil", I have been emphatically opposed to anything the name was attached to. I don't really know why-I guess it's that rebellious, fear of banwaggon thing.

AND then, it was last night...

Unfortunately, we do not have cable @ home, so I am unable to watch Maverick away-games. SO, I keep up with the play-by-play online and watch something else...last night, I WATCHED DR. PHIL! (reruns on UPN)

Absolutely HILARIOUS! I actually laughed out loud-all by myself (okay, I do this anyways--but to Dr Phil?) His show was about reality tv blunders. His guest was Omarosa...you know, from season one of the Apprenctice. That chick really is crazy; there is absolutely no sense of reality in her. Dr. Phil was straight up, well spoken, witty, and sharp-he also interacted with Trump via satellite (they seemed like buddies)...anyways-great stuff...I will probably watch Dr. Phil again!


Phil's Website


Omarosa's Website!?!

NEW WEBSITE

Here's a new website I just checked out-the effort is organized in the UK... check them out here

What is the definition of a great game? Does a great game include a tight and tough struggle or can it be a 40 point blowout?

Serious Fun

Ok...so I'm looking for the title of a movie from the 80s, and I come across this site dedicated to the 80s, and there I found this... Try it for some serious fun - I spent way too much time on it!


(The movie I was looking for was "The Flight of the Navigator" - remember that one!)