To Work We Go

Hi Ho, Hi Ho - Do you ever have those days when you would rather not go to work? Even if you love what you do, after all these years...sometimes you just don't feel like working. Two stories this morning caught my eye. The first was Andray Blatche of the NBA's Washington Wizards, apparently Andray was taken out of the game and refused to be "coached" by Flip Saunders. So he sat on the bench the rest of the game. Sometimes you just want a night off. Even when you make millions playing a game.

Sit There And Like It - The Washington Post reported about the incident... "I'm disappointed. I'm the most disappointed I've ever been in 15 years with a player," Saunders said. "Most disappointed." Being Flip Saunders' most disappointing player in his coaching career is fairly impressive, considering he's coached Isaiah Rider, Stephon Marbury, Anthony Peeler, Dennis Scott, Rod Strickland and Latrell Sprewell, that's quite an accomplishment.

Work For The Night Is Coming - It is hard to show up and always act like you want to be there, especially when you don't. Just make sure to get through work before starting your "after work" relaxation.

T.U.I. - THERMAL, Calif. (AP) -- A Southern California school teacher has been arrested for allegedly teaching while drunk. Toro Canyon Middle School teacher Tonya Neff was taken to the Indio jail Tuesday afternoon and booked for investigation of felony child endangerment. Administrators at Thermal's Toro Canyon Middle School told the Riverside County Sheriff's Department that the 47-year-old teacher was apparently intoxicated on campus. Sheriff's Sgt. Mike Tapp says Neff had taken prescription drugs and alcohol and an alcoholic beverage was found inside a container. Coachella Valley school district Superintendent Ricardo Medina says there was never a threat to Neff's seventh-grade students. Neff has been placed on leave.

Ole' Saying - You ever heard the saying, "That's (drunk) the only way I'd do it"? Well, teaching in today's public schools is a challenge enough without this. I wonder what sobriety tests they run on suspicious teachers? I hope one has to do with a circle, a chalkboard and their nose.

Third Rock From The Sun - Did you know that God's plan to redeem the world involves you at work? That's right. There is more to the green planet than meets the eye. Something is happening around us. Intersections, appointments, examples, words...many you probably didn't even notice. One thing we could do is start each day with the realization that our job is part of His plan. Seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness requires it.

2010 Census

Every Ten Years Or So - My census form came in the mail yesterday, so did yours. I sat down this morning over coffee and filled it out. It took less than five minutes to complete. This was my third census, I am so glad I don't have to travel back to Milwaukee every ten years. They ask for five minutes of my time every ten years or so.

But, They Really Would Like To Know - I get the impression that Hispanic race is at the center of someones curiosity. Evidently they haven't been counting at the border as well as they should. I guess it makes sense to want to know how our country is made up, or does it? No questions about who has a job, whether you have health insurance, or a college fund for your kids. "Why would you think I am Hispanic?" "You've been taking us to all those Mexican restaurants." "That was because you were black."

Leverage Your Influence - Before I got the mail at home, I got a post card from the census bureau at the church. They would like me to encourage you to promptly fill out your census response form. Civics class taught us that voting is our privilege and right as Americans. Now there is some great material for impassioned challenges to motivate our young people to vote. Yet voter turnout is mostly embarrassing. What do you suppose the census response will end up being? After all, how do you motivate the American spirit for this one? "This is why all those young men & women have given their lives...." what, so I can count how many people live in my house and determine their skin color?

Red and Yellow, Black and White - So here it is: Please take (less than) five minutes, fill out and return your 2010 census form. Be a good sport. There must be a good reason for it. ALSO - If you happen to find someone living under your roof that you didn't know about, there is a place to declare them, too. Though the majority of time it would be inappropriate to ask... please get their race right. All are precious in His sight.

Who Can Be Counted On - Every team has a roster. Every class has an enrollment. Every army has an enlistment. Every business has a payroll. Even our country takes a census and requires voter enumeration. The church should take note... Who is in? Down? On Board? For us? With us? There is a good reason to want to know... now, I've got to get my tax return done.

Who Do You Think You Are?

Hall Of Fame Running Back - Emmit Smith is the NFL's all-time leading rusher. With three Super Bowl Rings and now a first ballot famer, he has enshrined himself permanently in American lore. But his American roots go much deeper than football.

Champion Dancer - Emmit has lent his celebrity to the new reality show "Who Do You Think You Are?". Celebrities take the journey of genealogy to unlock the mysteries surrounding their existence. Emmit's story was told this week on Oprah. Check out the whole story on her website. Here is the gist...

Not So Great- Five generations removed, Emmit realizes his great-great-grandmother had the last name of an infamous slave owner. Her father, Emmit's great-great-great-grandfather was listed as "mulatto", specifically black/white race. His mother, Emmit's great-great-great-great-grandmother was a slave named Mariah. The infamous slave owner??? Ends up being Emmit's great-great-great-great-grandfather. In the show Emmit comes to the sobering realty that he is a product of "rape", a slave owner taking liberties with his "property".

Redskin Lover - It is pretty extraordinary to think of what was produced seven generations after such a traumatic event in young Mariah's life. How many thousands of people have been given life and have their own meaningful legacies who trace their origins to young Mariah? Two thoughts: First, if he isn't already, I would hope Emmit has become an advocate of making it illegal to abort a baby - regardless how it is conceived. A baby is a baby for crying out loud. It deserves to be protected under the law regardless how it came into being. How do you know that you weren't a product of some form of illegal (or immoral) liberty (even if it was 200 years ago or 600 years ago)? Who you are was determined farther back than even 2,000 years ago. Jeremiah reminds us that God took care of that long before. Let's get this right. OOPS! Oprah had one of the best pro life tv shows and didn't even acknowledge the truth that she helped uncover.

Book Of Deeds - Here is another thought. Emmit's news culminated in a trip to a county courthouse to see Mariah's name deeded to the notorious slave trader. The book number - 22. The same number Emmit wore during his football years. Says Emmit, "I've been wearing #22 since college. I have always thought I was a child of destiny, maybe this is my destiny." I believe it is. Our life will not add up like a hall of fame football player. BUT the total of our life isn't seen in the sum of our years on earth. That is just a morsel of who you are. To get the whole picture you have to start at the beginning of time and then draw a line somewhere out into eternity to get the full picture. When you do, you will get a better look at who you really are.

A Cut Above

Choice Grade A - Funeral dinners provide a wonderful opportunity for the ministry of Christ. Thanks to all of you that helped, this Tuesday. What a strong statement of love and support for the Eldred family. Della and her team deserve our encouragement and appreciation for a top notch job! Besides ministry these opportunities are great evangelistic tools. The Good News is multiplied in these kind of circumstances and you can bet there were those that were touched in a spiritual way. This church is a cut above!


Measure Twice Cut Once - Spring is right around the corner and that means outdoor service opportunities. God has blessed us with an amazing piece of property for our church facilities and meetings. There is still a lot of potential in what our grounds could look like. But with everything else, first comes those who are passionate about serving & gifted to make it happen. I can't help but envy some of our neighbors yards & landscaping. It doesn't happen by itself, when I see a yard that stands out I know there was a lot of effort and pride that went into it.


Short And To The Point - Kent County, Michigan (NEWSCHANNEL 3) A Sparta man has been arrested for performing circumcisions without a license. Police say (the accused) was performing the circumcisions on adult male subjects. Police say (he) portrayed himself as a medical doctor and performed the procedures at his residence. The Kent County Sheriff's Department asks that anyone with information regarding (the accused) or his medical procedures contact the Sheriff's department or Silent Observer.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving - Since I started writing this post (yesterday) additional information has been released about the accused Spartan. I will refrain from commenting further, as what yesterday was a clever simile, today is just plain creepy. Let's just leave it at... We all have gifts and passions. There are plenty of forums to use them that are admirable. But only what is done seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness, is best. If you haven't plugged yourself into God's work in a regular capacity do so now. Nothing compares to the choice cut!