I have not been a "member" of a church for about 1 yr. and a couple months.

I suppose I am in the uh? church crowd now. Melissa and I get up on Sunday mornings and decide wether we want to go to church or not. Cooper and Tatum want to go most of the time, but sometimes they would rather dress up at home and do their own interpretation of a passage in Judges. If we don't go to church we will make an IKEA trip or eat at R&K. Sometimes we wait for my parents to get out of church, and go eat with them. My Dad asks Cooper if we went to church, when he knows full well by the pajamas we are still wearing that we didn't go. Melissa usually asks if we need to go get ready (the sunday get up) to go eat with them, but then realizes that we would be hypocrites. I like to go to church, but I usually end up making fun of people or being cynical. Its funny how they all sound the same, but they think they are doing it different. We visited 18 churches this past year and I liked everyone of them. They were generally friendly and organized and had a vision for God. Then we would leave to go take a nap.

Doesn't this sound boring? I am literally boring myself.

The message I got was... Smile, Be a groupie at the Jesus concert, Throw some scripture and greek around with alliteration and points, and an akward trying to act excited about the announcements guy but do not have a clue about what the events or activities really are b/c our church is Awesome.

I usually don't even hear the give to our tv collection budget anymore.

This is what I sound like to remind myself that this is what I sound like.

Peace.

I have to give it to him (props that is). I mean, anybody who takes a driver out on the 18th hole... 2nd shot in the woods... with trees directly in front of him... and doesn't hesitate to take a monster go for it swing... while simultaneously ducking in case of a dangerous ricochet... on his 58th birthday... is a rare breed.

You know what? Thats my Dad. Some people might say he is just a risk taker, or that is just his personality. Boo, on that explanation.

My research has been very intense and well thought through. I have wrestled with him in my head for years and have come to accept the conclusion. I don't have to convince you of his calling or explain the trail he leaves behind.

He can give you more responsibility in a one minute than your training would ever cover. Not b/c he wants to overwhelm you (which still happens), but b/c he desires something bigger than we can imagine. I have come to understand... it is not a risk... it is not unlofty expectation... it is not a trait...it is a life based on faith. A faith so big it reminds me of a seed.

Happy B-day Dad. You have shown me an unwavering faith in God like no one else I have ever known.

Oh yeah. His shot made it through the trees and landed in the fairway.