Playing for Pizza - Welcome to Parma, Italy

My third Grisham novel out of 17 . . . Playing for Pizza had a natural appeal to me. The world of professional football meets Italian culture in John Grisham style. A loser third string quarterback, fresh off of blowing a playoff win for the Cleveland Browns, lands a small contract in the Italian NFL with the Parma Panthers.

Not sure I would tell you to rush out and buy one to pour over, searching for spiritual meaning. No suggestions for a sermon series or small group studies from me. The book, as you should expect, has no sexual boundaries or many other boundaries. I enjoyed the mind break though and a chance to read what a lot of people are reading and will read (currently 2nd on NY Times hardback list).

The book was fun, detailed, and somewhat predictable. Predictable is not always a bad thing, particularly when you are looking for entertainment. Have you ever noticed how unpredictable life usually is . . . and how frustrating that can be? Rick Dockery, scapegoat of the Browns latest blown playoff game, found himself in a land far away from the NFL of his dreams.

I am in that land of far far away . . . Parma. In 2002 I was exiled to South Carolina. I did not handle it well, at first. People were patient with me (or not) for over three years. God was patient with me, I think. God goes deeper when He turns your world upside down. God does, often, charge forward ignoring the wonderful plan you had for your life. Don't fight it like I did. You will damage people you love (did that) and great opportunities (did that, too). I have discovered new things, worthwhile things, and new levels I would have never known if not for God and Parma.

All day with Chris and Neal in Columbia looking at the future. A little overwhelmed yesterday.Another day with movement makers today. A movement maker does not create results. Only God can do that. A movement maker creates environments for God to do what He wants.

Raising the Bar. . . Final

13) The list could go on and on . . . but I can't close the book until I mention small groups. My first two groups were Sunday School and Pee Wee baseball back in the 60's. Groups are powerful. Groups are like families. In groups you do life together, good and bad. Also, groups often see you act beyond your roles.

My family group experience at Willow Ridge has raised my bar because we talk about real life. What are the kids doing? Who is going to bring the mac and cheese next week? How was your week? What did you learn from this morning's sermon? Did I even listen to this morning's sermon? I spent over two years in a men's group where we did everything from the MasterLife Discipleship course, to wrestle with the hardest questions we could think of.

A new group for me is the Sons of Italy, an organization with the purpose of preserving Italian culture. I am on the School Improvement Committee at Abby's school. I spent many years as part of an A.A. group in New Orleans. In A.A. we talked about everything from Jesus, to flying saucers, to Jesus in flying saucers. All these groups raised my bar in some way. All of them made me uncomfortable, in a healthy way, for some reason.

No matter the agenda of the group you are in plain view of people. When you are on your own you can drive the agenda. With groups, driving the agenda is not as easy. Protecting yourself is not as easy. Your accountability bar is raised . . . Playing for Pizza tomorrow.

What a weekend! When I pull for the other team the winning percentage of my real teams has raised(66%). So, I am pulling for the Gamecocks and the Jaguars (10/28) next weekend. The relevance of my 2007 football season is hanging by a thread. Carowinds was fun. I did Top Gun (roller coaster) twice in a row with Anna. I am thinking I might retire from coasters.

Heard Ruppe and Dustin preach. Two great young communicators. Chris had a strong word on self-awareness from Ps 139. Dustin addressed baptism, in preparation for the big baptism thing next week at The Coop. In Columbia today working on Cypress Project material. I'll keep you posted.

Raise Your Own Bar (10-12) Sir, What do You Think?

Preacher legend tells about a salesman's shocking experience. While going door-to-door one day, he was greeted by an eight-year-old boy. A large, smoltering, Cuban cigar was hanging out of boy's mouth. The salesman asked, Is your mother home? The little boy pulled the cigar out of his mouth, tapped the ashes on the carpet, and asked, Sir, what do you think?

Lets see, where was I? Oh yeah, personal accountability. How to raise your own bar.

10) Have Ongoing Conversations with People from Your Past. The miracles (I date myself here) of unlimited nights and weekends along with email leaves no excuse for not staying connected with a treasured few from the good old days. Why? Because they know you beyond your current roles. Most people around you value you for what you do. If you are pretty good at what you do, you are a great person. People from your past know you for who you are. They know what you stink at, because they have seen you in various roles over a span of time.

11) Read. Almost anything. Reading is an ongoing conversation with an outside voice. Don't waste all your reading time with books that tell you what you want to hear. Some of your most valuable reading will be from people or about people you do not agree with. Ten Eternal Questions by Zoe Sallis, is a good place to start. The book features people from Jack Nicholson to Bono, who answer questions about eternity.

12) Hang Out with People Not Like You. A man who spends all his time with people who thinks, acts, and lives like he does is a coward. He is under challenged and not accountable for his thoughts about God and life. I feel lonely, at times, out in the real world with normal people. It remains, however, the place where God wants me and one of my most important positions of Kingdom influence. New topic Monday.

Talk about you movement makers, I forgot to mention Wednesday night's meeting with a group of a dozen high achieving Asian -Indians, who, will plant a church in Columbia. We heard their stories, one by one. These, strong in the Lord, missionaries will swim hard and fast to save those who are drowning. They have a passion to reach the world. Coaching was on my agenda yesterday, along with a great visit with Carl Martin, Ken Lewis and the Savannah River movement makers in Bluffton. Incredible! Had my favorite salad in the world at Cheeburger, Cheeburger in Bluffton.

My weekend will include deacons is White Oak, family in Carowinds, North Rock Hill Church, Midtown, and football! Roll Tide!!! Go Dirty Birds!!! I will keep you posted.

Raise Your Own Bar III (9)

9. Go see a Doctor. My doctor, Dr. Amajad Abdulrahman, is my friend. We talk about things other than health. I avoided doctors for years. Probably for the same reason normal people avoid preachers. I know what a doctor will rant about, I am not ready to change, so I don't want to hear it.

I saw Dr. Rahman yesterday. He was easy on the insults this time. He went over details of my blood work with great care. He told me I had a pretty severe Vitamin D deficiency. Off to Web MD etc. to find out how long I have to live. Not long.

I do get to experience what a megadose of Vitamin D is like. What a hassle. I really want ask Dr. Rahman to sit on that tall table and ask, What about you, Dr. Rahman? How is your Vitamin D? You are a wreck. Problem is he really does live what he believes. He is in great shape. He cares. He has no agenda but me.

He thought out loud while I was in his office about two years ago. I wonder how much nursing home care will cost when you need one? He also thought out loud when he said, I wonder what you could do with the money you are currently spending on blood pressure and cholesterol medication?

When I decided to go back to a doctor five years ago, I was a physical, emotional, and spiritual wreck. BTW, it is amazing how all those are tied together. Raise your own bar. See a doctor, regularly. Listen to him/her. I have never seen a doctor who did not have my best interest at heart . . . and who did not make me accountable for the insane choices I was making.

I also had a great conversation with my coach, and others in Columbia yesterday. More coaching today and off to Bluffton, S.C. More to raise your bar tomorrow and a report on the movement makers.