Catch That Summer R & R Wave!

Rainy Beach Vacation Day

So, what to do when your vacation plans are rained out? Hmm...

Sleep in and read the newspaper? Doing that I learned that Weezer's "Pork & Beans" music video is a huge hit. The song is reflective of a hyper individualism. "I'm a do the things I want to do/ I ain't got a thing to prove to you." So, naturally, they include the great heroes of YouTube as part of the video. This means since the video has been on YouTube last Friday they have over 4 million hits, including a half million in 6 hours.

Check out this cultural phenomena and then add your voice. Maybe you'll recognize the S.C. beauty queen, the mentos scientists, Afro Ninja or others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muP9eH2p2PI

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Keen Eyes & Sharks Teeth

I'd read the internet chatter about Myrtle Beach. Many online whined there where no teeth to be found, and a few bragged about their finds. My teenage son claimed to have seen a fin early in our beach visit, so I had hope. There's little else like finding a treasure in a handful of broken shells.

Let the average Joe or Sally hit all the tourist hot spots. As for me and my time, I love the hunt for shark's teeth!

I'm still not very good at finding the things. The hunt requires some characteristics which I tend to lack:

• a keen eye- it's tough for me to pick the shapes out of all the other material
• looking in the right places- it seems like small items attract other small items
• persistence- you can't give up

My teen & I did all right today, and found a half dozen teeth while the others played in the surf. We've got some other commitments tomorrow though I hope they don't interfere too badly with the hunt. I'll add the pictures later. But don't ask me any specifics. All I can tell you is Myrtle Beach does still yield a generous number of shark's teeth if you work at it.

Goofing Off!!

Ahhhh, vacation.

It's amazing how difficult it is to actually sneak away and plan to do nothing. No work, no meetings, nothing but goofing at a beach and enjoying no agenda. Lots of time with family.

Hmmm, maybe that's the problem! :) My children include a high schooler, middle schooler, and preschooler!! Now that you've quit laughing imagine a few hours in a van with that crowd. :)

Funny how easy it is for clergy to dish out advice, but how lousy we are at following such good common sense. You know- making time for family, taking care of ourselves, eating right, getting enough rest, being physically active, caring for our soul, and having some fun.

So for the next few days I'm all about... NOTHING.

Or maybe it's more true to say I'm all about the most important things.

Reflections on Seminary & Real Church Life

In addition to classes you'd expect a pastor to have in preparation for ministry like Bible, theology & doctrine, prayer, hospital visitation, sermon preparation and delivery, how to conduct various worship services, how to conduct a meeting, evangelism, knowledge about one's denomination, etc. there are many "on the job" skills which must be developed. Whether seminary (which is usually a 3 year graduate degree) or local pastor training such education is ongoing.

Here are some classes I'd like to see offered for clergy training at both introductory and continuing education levels:

• basic medical terminology so we'll be more helpful in medical settings with patients & families
• best uses of electronic media including computer, TV, and essential practices for communication
• carpentry, how to roof, plumb, or install electricity to a house, or some other practical skills. This could also be things like sewing, cooking, etc.
• skill sets from the nonprofit world like how to be part of a management team & how to motivate and work volunteers
• integrate Red Cross training to include CPR, early emergency response, and perhaps mental health certification for disaster relief

What are your great ideas? How could church workers be more effective through certain specialized training?

Roof Wrens

There have been an amazing number of storms and tornadoes this season. But with the storm comes an opportunity to help those around us. We find that a neighborhood or community struck by a natural tragedy need friends outside the affected area to come in and offer assistance. Our church has had teams doing disaster response for over a decade. Our specialties are the long term reconstruction and we usually do what other volunteers don't want to get into-- roofing and sheetrock. Many years our work relates to hurricane damage relief. That's what first took us to Tick Bite, NC back in the 90's. Since then we've been active in GA, FL, AL, MS, & LA. We've even had a team in Grand Forks, ND after flooding did widespread damage there. Recently we've been working in Wrens, GA helping the elderly, poor, and uninsured get a roof on their home so they can protect their family and possessions. Our church FROGS (that's another story for later) are seen above. It's a great way to help people in need, pick up new skills, and meet some of the best people in the world!

If My Teenage Son Blogged

Thursday, May 22- Last day of school means a couple of hours in a chemistry exam then I'm home free. Nothing but staying up late, playing X-box, enjoying lots of computer time, and my only work being playing my bass with the band!

Lunch, computer time, and then a phone call. !#@!*! I've got to help Pa seat a toilet. He says he needs someone skinny. I don't like the sound of this.

Day 1 of the summer is a disaster!

Friday, May 23- Dad wakes me up at 8:30. Says something like "welcome to the adult world." I help paint the exterior of the house with a roller. I have a blister. I never get blisters.

This isn't the summer break I dreamed of. More to come later. Dad says I'm going to learn other valuable skills which will help me in life including roofing a house.

This is messed up.

Day 3- SATURDAY
I enjoyed the new Indiana Jones movie last night. Couldn't go to sleep so goofed til 1 or 2.

Dad wakes me up at 8:30 again. More painting.
Me- "how much do I need to do?"
Dad - "until the house is done."
Me- "this is ruining my summer"

Healing Landscape Project

Check out the work of someone I knew in seminary 20 years ago who is now in Boston. Dr. Lance Laird and his colleague's project deals with the intersection of medicine, healing, and religion. I've suggested Lance consider coming to Augusta sometime and share in the church, at MCG, and at ASU. What do you think?

Boston Healing Landscape Project
http://www.bu.edu/bhlp/

Clean Like New

Remember that door project. Yeh, that's it, the old throw away door I'm turning into a table.

This weekend while the family was gone I turned the kitchen into a laboratory. I realized that the painted over door hardware wasn't steel but brass. I tried the magnet and it didn't stick so I knew it was something worth trying to reclaim. What could be underneath the ugly?!

A little research and I found that white vinegar brought to a boil and then allowed to simmer would remove the paint. Then a little elbow grease with steel wool would bring about a transformation. Unfortunately I needed a pan (not aluminum-- hmm, wonder what that would do?) and pair of tongs that could never be used in the kitchen again.

It's a hard thing to explain to your wife why you need to confiscate kitchen goods. Even harder to explain to the family why the house, not to mention the neighborhood, smells like boiling vinegar. My teenager and two friends showed up unexpectedly in the middle of my chemistry. I'm not sure they'll ever come back.

Yet it's all for the good of reclaiming old thrown away items and turning them into something practical and beautiful. The picture shows one item that is still a little blotchy though not the ugly brown painted piece I started with. The others show the power of the chemical reaction and the transformation.

All it takes is an eye for the hidden, the right catalyst, and a little bit of elbow grease.