What Makes Texas so "Grand" Anyway?

Having moved from Texas to Georgia, I am amazed by the floral array of Atlanta's spring and the lush greens that its wooded terrain affords. Despite the beauty of Spring in Georgia, I find myself looking forward to my brief jaunts back to Texas for our companies' senior leadership meetings. Though my kids are Texan by birth, I never thought I would become attached to this vast, wide open state where the hotels proclaim their Texan pride from the back of their room doors, but flying in to Dallas Forth Worth airport coupled with the view from my hotel room window, I found myself missing the wide open spaces and ambiance of Texas.

Bidding $65 on price-line had landed me at the Grand Hyatt rising up out of the middle of DFW's vast series of runways. With soundproof rooms, a pool on the roof, and a view that would make any Texan proud (you can see Dallas and Fort Worth from the roof) the Grand Hyatt afforded me a first: the unique opportunity to watch a huge airport wake-up while ironing my shirt. They say "everything is bigger in Texas!" I guess the 'Grand' Hyatt lived up to its name.

Whale Sharks are Lucky!

With uncle S, aunt J, and "m," in toe, we zipped out of church to experience the Varsity (local eatery next to Georgia Tech) and take in the Georgia Aquarium. While post church Sundays are not prime time for people under four feet to be active, we relied on van naps and were prepared with a smorgasbord of snacks.

The Varsity gets an A for history but a much lower grade for food - three hours later the term "grease pit" was being used and the adults were feeling the side effects. Fortunately those under four feet were oblivious, I supposed if the adults had the luxury of car naps we wouldn't have complained either!

The Georgia aquarium - the world's largest - was impressive. It boasts three whale-sharks, several manta rays, sharks (hammer heads included), and beluga whales; but the museum was very crowded. Ok, it was extremely crowded and for a border-line introvert who likes to take a nap on Sunday, it was a little overwhelming. The silver lining was Luke enjoyed the whale-sharks, sea otters, and sea horses. Fortunately I enjoy living vicariously through my three and a half year old; not sure Ava Marie was quite as impressed.

A staff member shared that the whale-shark's throat (it's really a sifter - it eats through its gills) is the size of a quarter. I suspect all of the adults in our crew were jealous of a whale-shark as it couldn't have made the same mistake we did by eating at The Varsity!

Savannah

I expected Savannah to be more like Charleston. While they had similarities, Sothern city ports with lots of history, Savannah was unique in it's own right.

Three things that stood out:
- Savannah is the second busiest port in the US (who'd a 'thunk' that!).
- General Sherman decided not to burn the city as a Christmas present for Abraham Lincoln. The city was not destroyed because the 12,000 confederate troops gave up their positions in the face of Sherman's 34,000 federal troops. There were 16,000 residents of which 8,000 were slaves!
- You can track the arrival of denominations to America by the churches that emanate from the harbor as the city grew: Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopalian, Congregationalist, Catholics and Baptists.

Two things you should know:
If you like history the trolleys and squares are a must!
River Sreet is reminiscent of San Antonio's river walk (more energy, less romantic) - you want to board here or near one of the squares.

One thing you shou ld avoid:
Savannah can be very humid, you want to miss the hot season.

Honorable Mention:
Tybee Island is nice if you are interested in light houses or a family friendly beech getaway.

"Who is J.K. Polk, will be no more asked!"

This declaration by Andrew Jackson, whose political capital propelled James Knox Polk to the eleventh Presidency of the United States, seems ironic as Polk for all intents and purposes is one of the forgotten presidents of the modern day. Yet Polk's influence on the executive office is arguably the strongest prior to Abraham Lincoln and the civil war.

Upon assuming the Presidency Polk declared, "In any event I intend to be myself, Presidents of the United States." This proved to be helpful as Polk would find big egos and agendas in his contemporaries such as "Old Fuss and Feathers" (Gen. Winfield Scott), Santa Anna - the resilient Mexican dictator, Gen. Zachary Taylor - the 12th President, and Sam Houston - the father of TX.

Polk's agenda was clear: resolve the joint occupation (w Britain) of Oregon - "54'40" or fight", acquire California (Mexico), reduce the tariff (there was no income tax at the time and this was the federal governments main revenue stream), and establish an independent treasury. In short, Polk was successful.

Under the promise of a one term Presidency, Polk would expand the geography of the United States by 38% (if counting Texas, Oregon Territory, and California). After one term Polk, whose political ambition had always been the Presidency, was happy to leave. Polk would die shortly after leaving office, many historians agree that his early demise was due to the strain of the Presidency. - The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America: Polk - Borneman

Running in the Snow

“Whoever thought of this tradition is uninvited next year,” declared my father-in-law as we all loaded up in the cars to head out for our three mile road race. I think that this is now the second holiday in a row that I’ve run a road race, a little disconcerting and it was colder this time! The kids stayed warm though, don't they look happy! After the race we shared “high-low,” my high was definitely McDonalds and a cup of coffee post race, the low was at my first mile when I looked at my watch and realized that I was pacing at 7 minutes; I was in shape for 8 minute miles. It was a rough last two miles, but not as bad as my brother-in-law’s low. Katherine asked Jerry to go in and look for Jon, when Jerry came back out the 200 people who were standing expectantly at the starting line in the 22 degree weather a moment ago were nowhere in sight. No worries Jerry, next year you will be in Greece on stint and I will be running around a parking lot in Shelbyville in sub-arctic temperatures! And please no comments about the lime green running shirt!!

That little stinker!

How do you keep a fifteen month old and her three year old brother quiet for a nine hour car ride? Two words, Diapers and dumdums! Our first pit stop was right outside Chattanooga at a “real” Wal-mart where an overly friendly attendant made an unfortunate comment about Katherine’s hair. A mile later, I realized that I had inadvertently left Ava Marie’s diaper on the top of the van, we were not going back! Breakfast and nap #1 kept the kids content from Chattanooga to Nashville where Katherine discovered that the diaper was still on the roof! A mile later, she realized that she had forgotten to throw it away! Nap #2 kept the kids quiet from Nashville to Louisville where we finally threw away the diaper which had collected no little amount smog along its five-hundred mile rout! From Louisville to Mooresville we sang Veggie Tale tunes and passed out dumdums. I know you probably wish you were there to partake, just don’t forget the diaper on the roof!

Running in the Rain

K said I whined the whole way there! Actually, I think I started whining the night before. The idea of getting up early on Thanksgiving Day and running four and a half miles in the pouring rain has never been my idea of fun. Yet, thankfully my alarm went off at 6:45am and thankfully it didn’t start to rain till after the first mile and thankfully K and I both finished under 45 minutes. I was not Thankful when the guy wearing the air-Jordan high tops and big baggy sweat pants passed us at two miles. I hate being passed by non-runners, but I love my wife.

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner cooked by my favorite m-i-l (the sweet-potatoes and the dressing were my favorite). Side note stuffing goes in the bird, dressing goes outside the bird. The blue-berry pie was the “bomb!” Rounded out the day by meeting my new niece who that morning had a parade thrown in her honor in morning.

Five Cremes and One Flying Kick: Thanksgiving 2010

We pulled away from Dunkin Donuts only to discover that the not quite awake drive through attendant had been confused by our order. “Five crème and sugars are better than two crème and sugars and the nine hour car ride from GA is better than the sixteen hour ride from TX,” I thought as I sipped my super sweet coffee and mentally prepared for our nine hour trip to “granddad’s house!” At the TN line the kids woke up and after munching on doughnuts, Luke enjoyed his toy circulars while Ava Marie tried not to become too embitter over being strapped into her forward facing “torture” seat.

McDonalds, while attempting to meet our dietary needs and failing miserably (“Mcgross”), provided me with the highlight of my day. Side note McDonald’s now charges for water! Does this bother anyone else? Is the economy really that bad or am I just “Mccheap?” After using the facilities, I told Luke that he could flush the toilet. Without batting an eye, he reached up with both hands and grabbed the bar next to the toilet to brace himself and sent a flying kick at the toilet lever. I’m not sure where he learned how to do this, must have been his mother.

The ABCs of Thanksgiving

A - Apartment Life and Alpharetta, GA
B - Bunkbeds, Bible Study, and Braves Games
C - Computers and Chick-fil-a
D - Dunkin Doughnuts: "smooth" coffee
E - Etowa: little "m" born
F - Fifteen - hundred square feet: Seven Pines Apartment Complex (no rent)
G - Grandparents
H - Health
I - Ipoletos
J - the John's Sunday school class
K - Kohl's cash: they keep sending us free money :)
L - Leadership Development: staff of six and senior leadership
M - Marta: runs all the way to the airport
N - No: to tv, it's a time chewer with nothing to show for it
O - Ocean: I love beach vacations - Thankful that the Paschal's have this in their blood
P - PCBC and the preschool ministry: the kids love church
Q - Quiet Life: a much simpler season of life
R - Reinsel: have learned a lot of leadership and people skills from MJR
T - Talladega & Twisted Taco: one was free and the other one comes with chips
U - Uncle David
V - Vance and Susan Garison: young married class
W - Wednesday night church: opportunity to teach after a six month hiatus - "God can use me, but He doesn't need me!"
X - Chi: Christ, where the source of all joy is found
Y - Yes: to extra time off the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas - Indy trips
Z - Zero: the amount that I miss dark, cold days!

The Presidents: General Andrew Jackson - "Old Hickory"

The 7th President of the United States, General Andrew Jackson was to say the least colorful. Jackson was first and foremost a soldier who whether on the battle field or the political stage led boldly with his emotions. A passionate man, Jackson was tempered by his loyalty to family, friends, and faith (Presbyterian by birth - became more centric later in life). To most Jackson alluded a charming and charismatic personality, but those who stood in his way knew Jackson's unrelenting fury and were viewed by Jackson as enemies who must be crushed or vanquished!

Jackson believed that he represented "the people," and for better or worse Jackson saw himself as the supreme representative of the people - a paradigm shift in political thinking. This coupled with the spoils system was the single greatest impact Jackson's Presidency brought to the American political life!

Jackson's life reflected a life of extremes. "The good" of Jackson's Presidency, which were aided by his unbending will, was his thwarting of the Nullification Process (Jackson's foes: Calhoun and Clay) - South Carolina's power struggle with Jackson over the issue of state vs. federal power - the rumbling before the outbreak of the civil war. Abraham Lincoln would ultimately quote Jackson to validate his pro-union position. Jackson was a staunch believer in the United State's policy of Manifest Destiny. While most of his contribution to this end was accomplished as a military man - Jackson fought in the Revolutionary War, the Seminole War, and the Battle of 1812 where he was the triumphant victor at battle field of New Orleans - his Presidency reinforced the prevailing attitude of the day.

While not apparent during his lifetime, history would look back on the removal of the Native American as "the bad" of Jackson's presidency. Jackson has the distinction of being the first President to face an assassination attempt (there have been 10 attempts to kill Presidents; 4 have been fatal; there have been 44 Presidents; I don't think I want to be President!).

"The ugly" of the Jacksonian life can all be tied to Jackson's female relationships. His mom died do to a cholera epidemic during the Revolutionary War; Jackson blamed the British. His wife Rachel, is suspected to have died from the rigors of campaign trail rife with personal attack and animosity; Jackson never forgave those that defamed him (Jackson fought 13 duels primarily over honor in which he took several bullets and killed one man). His need for family drove Jackson to surround himself by his protegees and their wives which would eventually lead to the "petticoat affair;" in response Jackson disbanded his first cabinet.

Loathed by his enemies and loved by his friends. Jackson's Presidency and era were an age defined by American military accomplishments and expansion. Driven by Jackson's will and reflecting his personality, America embodied the persona of its self viewed father figure. It was truly, the age of Jackson!

American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House
- Jon Meacham

Talladega, AL

What do Indiana, Florida, and Alabama all have in common? Give up?
Super Speedways - enormous races tracks to be exact!

My memories of automotive racing are fond ones. My grandparents lived in Speedway, Indiana, home to the worlds "greatest spectacle in racing!" As a kid I had been to several Indy qualification days, the race itself, and even had the privilege to sell candy bars for little league baseball to drunk fans after the race (would have made a lot more if I was selling beer). During high school I attended the first inaugural Brickyard 500 but with all of this past racing history somehow I have never become a avid racing fan.

This is not the case for my dad! Who would want you to know that NASCAR stands for "National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing" not "Non Athletic Sport Centered Around Rednecks." From the pictures showing my dad kissing the start finish line, it would appear that at some point during my college years, my dad become NASCAR fanatic!! For this reason and this reason only I had him fly in this last weekend to head to Talladega. Apparently the only place on earth where it is kosher to invoke the name of Jesus at the end of a prayer after having belted out a Sweet Home Alabama - what's Lynyrd Skynyrd got against vowels anyway!? Since Lynyrd decided to be short on vowel's I will attempt to be short on words.

Our day in phrases:

"You can't buy these tickets!" - in answer to what tickets would normally cost
"Your parking space is right under your seats below the track inside the gates."
"The pits and garages open at 8." - we had passes to both
"Remember this when you finalize your will." - me to dad as he inspected Jeff Gordon's car
"This isn't racing; it's Talladega!
"I got a great deal on these 2 seats, $375!" - the guy sitting next to us
"Gentleman, start your engines!"
"Bump-draft"
"If you got it this far, I'm not going to stop you!" - the security guard in reference to our 2 over-sized cooler housing our lunch and tasty snacks, a polish sausage was $8!!

Ok, so maybe this hiatus to "Dega" wasn't just for my dad! After all our seats were the Presidential seats from which we had a bird's eye view of the entire track and the opportunity to watch 44 very loud stock-cars riding each others bumpers for 500 miles only comes around (the track) 188 times once a year! Dad, I guess this means your buying Daytona?!

Etowah, TN - Native American for . . .

Her screams pierced the air! I started at of my REM sleep and glanced at my iPhone. My brain struggled to register that it was 12:30am. I was sure that the entire campground was now awake as Ava Marie continued to holler inconsolably. As Katherine tried to calm her, I scrambled out of my warm bag to the rude greeting of the brisk 38 degree temperature of the night air. Throwing on my jeans, I grabbed Ava Marie and hustled for the van. Secure in the inter-sanctum of the van, I breathed a momentary sigh of relief. Ava Marie continued to wail, but the tranquility of the campground had been restored!

As Ava Marie laid on my chest, I took stock of my circumstances. My torso was warm thanks to the sobbing heater on my chest, but my t-shirts and jeans were not going to keep me warm for the long night that lay ahead. I strapped Ava Marie, who was now calm into her seat, sprinted back to the tent, grabbed my bag and several blankets, and began to clear the back of the van for the first of two restless nights. As my mind focused, I began to brow beat myself for taking a 1 year old and her 3 year old brother camping, what was I thinking? Restful weekend?! It was now 1:00 am and the cold coupled with the prospect of lack of sleep had me wondering if this memory was worth the making.

Etowah (Native American for "camping with young children not wise!") is a sleepy little town in Tennessee nestled next to the Great Smokey Mountains whose main attraction is the Hiwassee River Rail. Boasting a 3.5 hour train ride running along the Ocoee River venturing into the Cherokee National Forest. The train can be picked up at the Gee campground, very convenient for a tired camper who spent the night in the back of a van. It was a tranquil ride replete with beautiful scenery.

For sustanance and because not all are expert roasting weenies over a camp fire, I'd recommend either Michael's or Memories for dining (Michael's . . . Memories, I crack myself up). Two warnings: there is no place in town to get fresh doughnuts (the "Pig" sells doughnuts in a bag) and the McDonald's makes their coffee thick.

The second night of our stay there was a forest fire at the top of the mountain next to us. As darkness set in the orange glow from the flames could be seen pulsating above us. Fortunately, wild fires always travel up-hill so my second night in the van was just as cold as the first!

Our weekend trip was rounded out by a quick stop in Chattanooga where we dined on a lunch river cruise (thanks mom and dad!!). All said and done a nice memory was made, but camping with young kids remains to be defined by one word, "work!"

The Presidents: Mr. Jefferson I presume

Next on my quest for the Presidents was Mr. Jefferson, the 3rd President and possibly better known as the pen behind the Declaration of Independence. The book, Thomas Jefferson: American Sphinx, an interesting and very apt title!

The highlights of the Jeffersonian presidency in Jefferson's eyes were two fold. First the Louisiana purchase which doubled the size of the US overnight for a mere $15,000,000. Possibly the beginnings of America's love hate relationship with dictators, thanks Napoleon! The second was the retiring of the national debt while implementing the reduction of "big" government (the embryonic seeds of the Republican party).

Jefferson was a Deist who declared himself, "a Unitarian by myself." His self written epitaph states, "HERE WAS BURIED THOMAS JEFFERSON AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE OF THE STATUTE OF VIRGINIA FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND FATHER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA."

Jefferson was a model figure of the Enlightenment which helped to define Jefferson's aspired values but often did not seem to inform his realized practice. Jefferson championed the ideals of liberty and justice, but had a row of slave quarters outside his estate at Monticello and was the driving catalyst of the removal of the native Indians from their lands. Jefferson hated debt, but died penniless because of his lavish lifestyle. Jefferson a great friend and admirer of the French upper class, condoned the butchery of the French mob as he thought it similar to the revolutionary spirit of "1776." Jefferson believed that working the land was the highest call and was suspicious of industrialization, yet Jefferson ran a nail making factory on his farm to subsidize his income. Jefferson cherished above all the ideal of family, but he isolated himself for a better part of his life from his children and ordered his life in such a fashion that he was rumored to have had sexual relations with a slave, Sally Hemings, whose children lived in slavery on Jefferson's plantation. Jefferson idealized Cicero's withdraw from politics into private life, but in the later years of his life Jefferson was consumed with writing his own biography to better reflect (and nuance his position in light of historical development) his personal political position to the eye of history.

JFK once quipped at a reception of 47 Nobel prize winners, "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House - with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone." In light of Jefferson's political and intellectual brilliance, his life (and possibly character) are marked by inconsistency; for all of Jefferson's historical fame and glory, his personal life seems to have been marred by a lack of joy or happiness!

The Presidents: Mr. Adams

Having left the fertile fields of seminary, I have made it my ambition to read a book on every President in order to keep "the little gray cells" from falling dormant. My first subject to this end was David McCullough's John Adams. McCullough paints Adams in a very positive light and I found it easy to come to like the hearty New Englander.

[A painting of President John Adams (1735-1826), 2nd president of the United States, by Asher B. Durand (1767-1845)]

Five things you should know about John Adams:
1. While Jefferson was the pen behind the Declaration of Independence, Adams was the voice and juggernaut in the Continental Congress which drove the Declaration to be crafted
2. George Washington was nominated as the commander in chief of the colonial armies by Adams - a stroke of political genius as Washington was from the prominent state of Virginia
3. Adams was largely responsible for the bi-cameral government - Congress & House of Representatives
4. Adams was a great proponent of the Supreme Court - nominated John Marshal for Chief Justice
5. Politically Adams should probably be considered the father of the American Navy

Four Good Quotes:
Concerning study Adams cautioning J. Quincy Adams,

"The small of the midnight lamp is very unwholesome. Never defraud yourself of sleep, nor your walk. You need not now be in a hurry."

Concerning mystery,

"Admire and adore the Author of the telescopic universe, love and esteem the work, do all in your power to lesson ill, and increase good," he wrote in the margin of one of his books, "but never assume to comprehend."

Ever an optimist Adams (who was not popular in politics and buried several full grown children) wrote,

"Griefs upon griefs! Disappointments upon disappointments. what then? This is a gay, merry world notwithstanding."

Adam's fundamental creed,

"He who love the Workman and his work, and does what he can to preserve and improve it, shall be accepted of Him."

Three things worth emulating:

• Adams was a prolific reader and writer - his correspondence with T. Jefferson was published as a book

• Adams loved to walk and work outside on his farm - rose early to walk easily 3 miles a day

• Adams did not cow to popular opinion -

  "Popularity was never my mistress, nor was I ever, or shall I ever be a popular man."

Note: Adams religious background was congregationalist turned Unitarian, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_adams - religious views.

I'd Retire Here, if I ever Planned on Retiring

The second most preserved city in the world (Rome is the 1st), Charleston, South Carolina is an amazing visit! An ideal travel destination for honeymooners, lovers of architecture, and history buffs (it is one of the few cities to boast both revolutionary and civil war history), Charleston is a delightful city!

When you visit Charleston you can't go wrong lodging in the historical district of the town which is more conducive to walking or biking than to driving, as parking is a bear unless you are independently wealthy and like traversing narrow streets with lots of pedestrian. For maximal enjoyment you will want to find a bed and breakfast or hotel that is south of Calhoun Street. We stayed in the Francis Marion hotel, a quaint hotel built in 1924 (Charleston Place and the Vendue Inn are others I'd recommend looking into, may be pricey). The downside of this hotel is its lack of pool and the ease with which sound transmits in the halls. The upside is the character, the rooms that end with 08 & 28 are furnished with two bathrooms! Other positives are the hotel's location by Marion Park, Starbucks, and the cigar shop next door!

When in Rome do as the Romans and when in Charleston you should take in:
1. Fort Sumter - the 1st 'shots' of the civil war
2. White Point Gardens - "battery park"
3. The Market - an open air market with crafts and local wares
4. Rainbow Lane -
5. The churches of Charleston - can be toured during hours open to the public
6. The grave yards of Charleston - from which comes the terms dead ringer, saved by the bell, and grave yard shift
7. Tour by horse drawn carriage (The Old South Carriage Co) - day
8. Tour of the city jail (Bull Dog Tours) - night
9. Farmers market - Saturday mornings
10. Tour a plantation or a historic home
11. Visit 1 of 6 Charleston museums
12. Bicycle - tour the city on rented bikes
13. Stroll the historic district admiring the wrought iron fences and picturesque homes.

Recommended restaurants:
1. Virginia's - southern cooking ($20)
2. Sticky Fingers - bar-be-cue ($12)
3. Hyman's - seafood ($15)
4. Fleet Landing ($22)
5. Sweet Water Cafe - burgers and sandwiches ($10)

Note: the weather is hot, but the morning and evenings are not. If you decide to run, bike, or tour, run early and stroll late.

Final Thought: if I were to retire in Charleston, I would become a tour guide because they can make things up and no one know the differences. I would also take up photography while being an interim pastor at one of the local churches. Ever the capitalist I could sell my photography at the Farmers Market the proceeds of which would allow me to by a multimillion dollar historic home located on the peninsula where I would run a bed and breakfast (for missionaries on furlough and over-worked pastors of course, how else could I justify the purchase?!)

Let Your Words Be Few

This Thanksgiving is the first to my recollection that has been bookended by heavy news. Two days before Thanksgiving I found myself navigating the corridors of the hospital to spend time with friends who were trying to digest that their two day old son had a high chance of having trisomy-18 (a chromosomal defect which is not compatible with life).

As I watched the well wishers come and go, I was struck by the fact that while all sincerely care, most do not know how to respond to the suffering of others. They try to comfort with words. They talk about God, His goodness, and not needing to know why? They try to relate by telling stories of their own suffering and loss.

Sadly, the breaking human heart is not very receptive to words. Words, apart from prayers, are not very practical when grief is palatable. In the midst of pain, it is often not the spoken word that is the most comforting. Instead it is time spent in a hospital room, a long hug that lets someone know you care, or being intentional to meet an immediate need like a meal. "When grief is the freshest, words should be the fewest!"

Picture Perfect

As Luke and I drove down the unusually quiet street on Thanksgiving morning to buy our plump Thanksgiving day paper, I began to reminisce of memories from Thanksgivings past. They were consistent to say the least, but just like cranberry sauce and gravy run into all the fixings on the Thanksgiving plate so do my Thanksgiving memories. Some can remember specific Thanksgivings, usually because of something out of the ordinary. While, I can't remember specific Thanksgivings, I remember the consistency of the holiday. Instead of vivid memories, I have snap shots.

I have snap shots of eating too many Hawaiian rolls, being teased by my uncle by the lack of food on my plate (I was a picky eater, aside from Hawaiian rolls), and hopelessly trying to find a good football game in my grandparents basement which barely got TV reception or eat. For the record the Lions have always been a losing team and I still don't have an affinity for the Cowboys.

We climbed back in the car with our monstrous paper and a hunk of free bread from the bakery for Luke, I decided that I wouldn't trade my snap shots of Thanksgiving for anything and began to wonder how I could give my kids their own snap shots. Maybe the routine of going to the grocery to buy a paper in order to spend time with Luke. Maybe getting an early morning Latte with Ava Marie when she is old enough to appreciate the love behind buying overpriced coffee. Or maybe some day they will laugh over the pictures of them sitting in Turkey pans. I don't know what their memories will be, but I hope that some day they will have a fabulous collection of snap shots like me.

A Bias against Turkey

Last week, I worked 10 hours straight tutoring statistics. In honor of my subject, in lieu of the upcoming Holiday, and to help break the monotony, I decided to take a Thanksgiving poll. I asked each of my students what their favorite Thanksgiving dish. To my chagrin, only one said Turkey! Stuffing took the top prize (4) followed by mashed potatoes (2), sweet potato's w/ toppings (1) , and various desserts.

I have a theory on why people are biased toward turkey. I believe people are biased toward turkey because of the proportion of turkey that is left over compared with that of the traditional sides and desserts. No one likes Turkey because the majority of the leftovers is the bird. Solution, either those that raise turkey need to make smaller birds to create a greater demand (but this would be an economic theory and I don't tutor economics) or everyone should learn to enjoy my favorite part of the Thanksgiving milieux, left over Turkey meat (white), lightly salted, on white bread smothered with sharp cheddar cheese!

Does God Drink Coffee?

I woke up the other day with a strange, possibly sacrilegious thought in my head . . . Does God drink coffee? Apart from social settings and an occasional holiday mug, I have never been a coffee drinker. I survived high school without coffee. I have heard that caffeine can stunt growth. I endured college without coffee. I actually considered Starbucks to be at the top of the axis of evil that is taking over the world. I plowed through seminary without coffee. Even though I did not have to sign off on it to attend seminary like I did alcohol and tobacco products. I didn't even need coffee with the advent of my first born and he didn't arrive till 1 am. But somehow with the arrival of my second child, I have found myself being very intentional to add 5 minutes to my morning to brew a pot of coffee. Sadly, I find that coffee makes me happy which is either a reflection of the state of my life or a sign of my growing dependence on the caffeine. Don't get me wrong, I am still annoyed with coffee. It stains your teeth and it breeds dependency, but it seems to be a necessary evil to keep up with a life with two kids.

Which brings me back to my original question . . .Does God drink coffee? Which arose from me wondering how God keeps up with His children because I need coffee to keep up with life now that I have two. My lack of practical understanding of omniscience (the characteristic of being all knowing) and omnipresence (the characteristic of being everywhere at once) is obviously becoming apparent.

As a student of theology (theos - "God" and ology - "I paid a lot of money and invested a lot of time studying a certain topic") First, I know that God is immutable. Unlike me, he never changes. So if God hasn't been drink coffee from eternity past, He sure isn't drinking it now! Second, I also know that God neither slumbers nor sleeps (Ps 124:1) and that he is omnipotent (all powerful) so He has no need of the extra stimulant. Third, God doesn't associate with evil. Unless you take into account Job 2 where Satan comes before God. (There is a theological quagmire for you). Therefore theologically, I have concluded that God doesn't drink coffee and that Starbucks should begin to marketing campaign with drinks called "the omnipresent," "the omnipotent," and "the omniscient." Whoa! The caffeine seems to be causing my business background to cross with my theological training. . . and I only drink decaf, scary!

Two Sounds Reasonable

So I haven't blogged for two months. This is probably due to the fact that I have two kids under two and two part time jobs. The number two does not appear to be conducive for writing. For those who read my blog my having two kids may be a blessing in disguise as my last post had 16 installments consisting of several paragraphs a piece. My beautiful bride informs me that a good blog post should be no longer than two paragraphs.

Two paragraphs sounds reasonable to me. The next time I feel the need to write a blog of 16 installments it won't be necessary to take a two month break or blame my absence from the blogging world on my two kids!