Shoe Swapping - Nashville Final

Somehow it was connected to a Holy Ground illustration. I didn't get it. Way too deep for me. Our leader Tuesday morning in Nashville ask us to take off our shoes. Nobody did because we did not think he was serious. When he told us to trade a shoe with the person sitting beside us we figured he wasn't joking.

My shoes were newer than Ken's. I got them at a Hilton Head outlet (Rockports) this summer. Not only did Ken's shoe not match mine, but I did not particularly care for his style (probably neither he, mine). I hoped the swap would not be a permanent swap. Ken's foot was bigger than mine. I am so glad there was no hole in my sock. I didn't check Ken's sock, too personal, too uncomfortable. I did shower that morning.

I am going to stop saying, If I were King for a Day. I used to say it all the time. We were not designed to take over another person's job and life for a day. If I wore either of Ken's shoes he would regret it. I would mess things up for Ken. Then, I could go back to being me and mess up my own stuff.

Accept your shoes today. Don't know what that means to you. Don't trade. You were only designed to wear your own. God may give you another pair, but until then, yours is probably more complicated than you can handle alone. Ken and I traded back. I am so glad. He is too, no doubt.

Nashville is finished. Better than I expected. Stetzer was in Lexington yesterday doing his Comeback Churches gig. Awesome. Preaching at Willow this weekend. Hanging out with the fam. Hopefully, we will see Alvin and the Chipmunks. I owe you info on Bee Movie.

Over Promises II - Is Santa Claus an American?

My dad was raised in a ethnically diverse (European) neighborhood in Olyphant, PA in the 30's. He had major issues with Santa. His dad died when he was five. His family had no money. Santa did not visit his house. He concluded that Santa must not like little Italian boys. Santa liked the German and Irish boys. My dad was pretty bitter at Santa for his prejudice.

Expectations kill Christmas. A simple, yet meaningful holiday can go down the toilet when your goal is perfection. The more we fluff Christmas up with stuff and expectations, the satisfaction level will go down. With disappointment comes anger (A Santa who doesn't like Italians) and dysfunction. We miss the real party.

Ellis Weiner wrote a new parody for the holidays called Santa Lives! Five Conclusive Arguments for the Existence of Santa Claus. USA Today did a brief review yesterday. Here is a funny quote from the book via USA Today: A loud fat man who barges into people's homes to flaunt his wealth by foisting upon them an array of unusually tacky, unnecessary commerical products -- how can Santa Claus not be an American?

The real party is no over promise . . . You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins (Matt. 2:21). Jesus loves little Italian boys. Pop learned that years later.

From Nashville. The airwaves are crowded. Enjoyed Stetzer, Lawless, and McNairy. Reminded me of a few realities and a few personal shortcomings. No profound ahas. I will be anxious to hear how Dr. Thom Rainer (Lifeway) and Dr. Geoff Hammond (NAMB) debrief today. Headed back to Columbia this afternoon. Here I come girls 'r' us! Yippee!

From Nashville - Over Promises, Over Promises

Four hours, forty-seven minutes to be exact. From Betsy (Elizabethton) to Nashville, Tennessee today. Went fast, with the exceptions of a few necessary stops. Commercials on Sirius reminded me of what men like.

You can lose weight in your sleep.

5000.00 a month part-time from your home.

Two fast acting pills under your tongue.

We still fall for over promises. You know, if it is too good to be true . . . Don't over promise this Christmas. Keep it simple. Here are five things you just can't do:

1. Go everywhere.
2. See every friend and family member.
3. Accept every invite.
4. Purchase, make, or bake something for everybody.
5. Go to every special church activity (opps, that slipped).

We had a great family discussion last week over dinner. I read my own blog, followed the advice, and let them help me keep Christ the focus. Great ideas. Decisions were made and owned on the spot. We decided on a concert, another couple of family projects, and what our Christmas night would look like. I think those conversations will continue.

In Nashville for the North American Mission Board and Lifeway partnership meeting. Had lunch with Stetzer today. Planters in process at River Springs in Columbia, under the leadership of our real rock star, Neal (Go Dawgs) McGlohon. Good stuff. Movement makers all around.

From Tennessee - Dino Can't Jump

The warm fuzzy lasted for only a nanosecond. My close friend, Joe Sorah, told me I was the subject of East Tennessee sports talk radio a few weeks ago. I played college baseball at Milligan College http://www.milliganbuffs.com/ in East Tennessee ('77-'81). I was a letterman for four years, got a few hits, but was by no means the star of my team.

I could only imagine what part of my game they were bragging about. Was it my rocket arm? I was actually a Designated Hitter. Was it my long home runs? I had seven of those in four years, but who's counting? I tied a record held by many, six runs in one game.

Dino Allen was truly a star basketball player in the late '80s. He is a member of the Milligan College Sports Hall of Fame. He was All-American in 1990. When someone heard the local talk show bragging about his apparent incredible jumping ability the confusion was over which Milligan, Dino, "star" athlete. My friend, Larry from Betsy, called in laughing, to set the record straight. I know Dino Senesi. You have to be talking about another Dino, because the one I know can't jump.

Some of us become famous for what we can do. Others of us (me) are more famous for what we can't do. Our stories will inspire people for different reasons. Maybe part of my story will serve as a warning to others.

Hey, talking about your stories. How about the Big Story? God's Story. I sung about it yesterday. I heard it talked about yesterday, from my friend, Joe Sorah. Enjoy the Big Story this Christmas. Remember when your little story become a part of God's Big Story? No matter the purpose of your life, that is what really matters.

East Tennessee this weekend. Nashville tomorrow. Planters are being trained in Columbia. My heart is there. Movement makers. Little Stories on a collision course with the Big Story. I will keep you posted.