The Most Difficult Person I Ever Met

Wow, I don't know where to start brainstorming. This feels like a therapist question. Not that there is anything wrong with that, right?

How about you? Who is the most difficult person you ever met? What did you do? I will tell you about the most difficult person I ever met, Monday.

I Think I Know Why I Cried

College Road Trip with Martin Lawrence and Raven-Symone will not be a blockbuster. Disney did not have that in mind when they produced the movie. I would say it was another day another dollar for them.

Since I was a little kid passages made me uncomfortable. I love to hold on to the moment. In fact, some of those assessments (tests to see if you are wierd) verify I am an in the moment type person. Mary wanted to hold on to Jesus in the garden. Peter, James, and John wanted to hold on to the apprearance of Jesus with Moses and Elijah. I am not alone.

College Road Trip is about a major passage of a daddy's little girl moving from high school to college. Comfortable relationships are great, but no matter who they are with, they are going to change. The rythm of life demands relationships change. Nothing is more sad than separation. Thank God for unlimited nights and weekends but wow it hurts sometimes.

I think about how fun it was to watch David Letterman with Krista when she was five. I loved the buzz of taking her to King's Island at eleven. At 21 I sat across the table from her this week, a young wife, mother, and credit union employee in downtown Columbia. I admire her, but it is so hard to let go. I wanted to say, hey take the rest of the day off and let's go ride a roller coaster. Instead, I motioned to the waitress, one check please. We had spent the hour talking about grandsons, cars, David, and Weight Watchers. I went back to work and so did she.

As Raven said good-bye to her mother and father at a key point in the movie the cry monkey jumped on my back. Somehow they captured the fact that as much as Raven wanted separation, independence, etc. that at the final moment she was sad too. Nobody likes it, but change is a part of relationships. I am convinced that God pours value in my life as people come and go. Relational space is limited. No one enters and exits without purpose.

World Headquarters for a record third day in a row. Wow. One more day and its vacation. Ocala, Resurrection 5K (get ready to go down frogman), maybe a little golf, and some crazy fun little girls who will not little very long. Do I need it? Yeah, well who cares what you think? I am takin' it!

Clearing the Air - Ocala, FLA

I feel much better now. My Aunt MaryAnn told me when I dropped the heavy wooden object on my sister's head (The Santa Affect), I told her it was an accident. Maybe Santa didn't give up on me after all.

Clearing up business in Ocala with my Aunt. I am not sure why God pauses our daily lives unexpectedly. I noticed this first in 1998 when my dad had by-pass. I know the relationship part of life becomes a priority during these pauses. That is a good thing. We are eating at Panera Bread in Ocala as we speak. I would be doing something else if Uncle Tom had not died last Saturday. I am not glad he died, but I am glad I am here right now.

Did you ever notice that Jesus valued relationships over roles and responsibilities? I know He was the Son of God, so He obviously did things I will/can never do. But the relationship thing was the delivery system for all His important business. Same way He works today. I need to work more like Him. Don't you? More Monday.

Pig Pile!!!

I played the game many times, as a child, teenager, and adult. In all three phases the game looks a little different. You've played something like it. Some unsuspecting person comes in the room, and someone shouts, PIG PILE! The victim is tackled, and every able body in the room jumps on top of the pile, hard. Fun, lots of fun, and laughs . . . at the victim's expense. The only bad thing about Pig Pile was if you were on the bottom.

Do I sound like a bleeding heart today? So be it. Twenty-five years ago I sat in a prayer meeting in New Orleans with a small group of people. A lady was asking us to pray because someone had stolen her truck. What? Are you kidding me? Some idiot stole your truck! Poor thing. Let's get our pitch forks and torches out and find the scoundrel. She prayed a prayer, with sincere passion, I will never forget. Lord, please help the person that stole my truck. I know you love them. May they find the Bible I had, read it, and find you. Not exactly a scream of Pig Pile!

Pharisees love the game. I have heard it since yesterday, on ESPN radio, concerning Michael Vick. There is a feeling of superiority among participants. The real victims of Pig Pile are those who jump on. Why? You can fill in that blank. But remember, around the corner, maybe at work, maybe in church, maybe in your own home, there is a group of people waiting. There may be legitimate reason to believe you will be on the bottom of the pile soon. I have been there. It is very hard to breathe and it hurts places you did not know you had.

Great day yesterday. More of a numbers game. Hundreds of eager students at Anderson University being challenged by Andre to be a part of changing landscapes. Then, in Rock Hill, with a group of movement maker DoM's. I love those guys. Today, potential church planters and movement makers in Columbia.

Amazing, Incredible Sarah

Anna's friend, Sarah, rode to Carolina Springs Middle School the morning of the broken leg and day of the sliced hand (8/23). When she talked, she sounded just like her mother. Not a bad thing at all. Not unheard as kids grow up. But Sarah had a unusual case.

Articulation, rhythm, and even thought processes all sounded like mom. I was startled as I listened. The similarities were uncanny at least. Amazing was another word I was thinking. I expected to look in the review mirror and realize I was the victim of a joke (not unlikely if you know daddy Cockrell).

The issue began years ago - more than 11 -- DNA and environment were key factors. At first Sarah heard a faint, far away voice. Upon birth it became more distinct. As Sarah grew the voice and person of Karissa, her mother, became even more influential and comprehensible. Without noticing Sarah evolved into this incredible likeness of Karissa. Hours upon hours. Days upon days. Time together, talking, listening, growing, learning.

You thinking what I am thinking? I have been next to God now since before my second birth . . . over 40 years ago. I wonder. . . I hope. . . Has anyone ever had to look in the review mirror as I rode in their back seat, because of this uncanny, amazing, you know, the articulation, rhythm, and even thought processes . . .

Coaching day today in Columbia. Spent quality time with movement makers yesterday. Movement makers are Kingdom leaders who think beyond themselves. They create environments where God works biggest and best.

Hub Blankenship, Eddie Cox, Steve Davis, Phillip Lee, Richard Swift, Ronny Byrd, Marshall Fagg, and Jim Austin were all around the table wrestling with tough issues. Honored to be at the table. Glad they were there too.

Spitting Out the Window of a Fast Moving Car

I hesitate, a bit, to highlight gifts from God on my journey. I know I will leave people out. Predictably, I must begin with my Pop. He was relational almost to a fault. He owned an Italian Restaurant in East Tennessee that still bears the name "Dino's" on the front. He proudly displayed a sign outside, "first lasagna served in East Tennessee - 1963."

Dino Sr. was a local hero. Everybody loved him because he made everyone feel important. From a local kid named "Moe" with Downs Syndrome to future Minnesota Twins superstars like Kirby Puckett. They all loved Dino because Dino helped them feel love.

He made me feel love too. One day we were riding down the road pretty fast. I needed to spit and did not know what to do. He patiently, in great detail, described the fundamentals of spitting out the window of a fast moving car. He explained, demonstrated with impressive results, and then asked me to try. I don't know for sure how old I was. All I know is that I did it! Wow.

Yesterday while driving on Interstate 20 toward Augusta, Ga., at least 40 years later, I did it again. Quite impressive! Nobody saw it(I don't think). I did not teach anyone else. I did think about Pop though. He would be proud. He made a lifelong, profound difference in the life of his "pride and joy" his "baby boy" as he still calls me to this day. What a gift from God! My Pop.

In Columbia for a record second straight day today. Great conversations yesterday with pastors, planters, and friends. Still buzzing over the Vision Carolinas thing I believe God is up to. Neal, I think it involves new cypress trees. Meeting with some movement makers today. Seems like I am with them everyday now.