Awesome One Minute Painting

Next Question

Question: I've heard you're cheap. Just how cheap are you?

Answer: So cheap that when buying a $9.99 pair of sunglasses yesterday at the drugstore, I asked for a discount because there was a small scratch on the left lens.

(The scratch was so small you had to squint to see it.)
(It worked. I paid $7.99 for my wonderful new shades.)

Question of the Day

The interview format did not flow, so now the format will be "Question of the Day"?

Question: Jonathan, with Auburn being 2-2, both losses coming from unranked teams, what are their odds of winning against Florida IN THE SWAMP this weekend?

Answer: I'm having a good morning, can we please keep this positive.

Interview w/Self : Volume 1, Chapter 1, Section 3b, Row 14, Seat 09

To ease the flow of this interview, my subconscious will be called "Tom".

Tom: Good morning Mr. Sutton, I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview.
Jonathan: No problem, let's get to it.
Tom: Absolutely. This morning's interview will consist of a series of random questions.
Jonathan: Gee, what surprise.

Tom: Question number 1: As a devout follower of your blog, I've noticed you haven't mentioned any good church signs lately. Why is that?
Jonathan: Well, I'm trying not to "slam" or be negative towards someone or something...especially the body of Christ. We have enough of that already. However, it's funny you mention the church sign thing...cause I just saw one yesterday morning that HAS to be mentioned.
Tom: Ok, but keep it clean, be nice.
Jonathan: Sure thing. The sign said, "Almost living right is still wrong! Right is easy with God's help." I'll keep this brief and simple. This sign does absolutely no good. Here's how I see it: To me, this sign says, "Nice try, but you failed. You 'almost' got it right, but your not up to our standard. God/We demand perfection. You are still wrong! If you 'almost' did the right thing, good try, but you're still damned!" By the way, why do any church signs address the community with messages like this? What possible good could come from a sign like this? When I pass by a sign like that, my first thought goes to the divorced guy who lives 2 houses down from the church. He grew up in the church. Was married in the church. But then things went sour. His life unraveled. His marriage fell apart. And within the blink of an eye, he found himself isolated from his friends at church. He's not sure how it happened. But now he feels he can NEVER go back. Why is that? It's because of the attitude of the "saints" at that church. To them, this guy failed. He didn't "live right". He almost did. He did for awhile. But as we all know, Jesus only died for those who live right. :-0 This oozes and smells of PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE. Where is your focus church? We are not in the business of trying to help/make people "live right". We are in the business of extending the same grace and forgiveness to others that has been poured on to us. Stop telling people they are wrong. You only make our job harder. Please read more carefully how Jesus handled the religious people of His day. The parallel to what we do sometimes...how we treat unbelievers...how we put the external standards of living above WHO we are following...you may find this parallel frightening.

Due to my insanely long response, I'll continue with question 2 and 3 at a later date.

Don't Stop Running!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
2 Timothy 4:7

I heard the phrase, "Don't Stop Running!", twice this weekend. In two different places. For two different reasons. But one is a great illustration for the other.

The first place I heard it was out of my own mouth on Saturday. It was on the soccer field. It was spoken to my 6 yr old and his soccer team. I think it's one of the crucial things you attempt to teach kiddos who are learning the game of soccer. Followthrough. Don't stop running. The tendency is to stop. The tendency is to not keep going when confronted by Billy on the other team. But great things happen when they keep dribbling. When they run back to play defense. When they bust through 4 defenders and shoot in the left corner of the goal, away from the goalie. It seems so easy to us, doesn't it? From the sideline. They are right there. Right in front of the goal. Just turn and shoot! Just don't stop! You are almost there!

The second place I heard it was at church yesterday, when hanging out with the youth. It really wasn't part of the main message, just a phrase the middle school pastor used. But it stuck with me. "Don't stop running to Christ!....He defines who you are...not your failures...keep pursuing Him, keep pursuing holiness...Don't stop running to Christ!"

Following Christ, it could be said, is much like a soccer match. In our journey, in our struggle, in our following...we must keep running. We know there will be setbacks. We know our enemy is out to destroy us. Embarrass us. Stop us in our tracks. But just as in soccer, we have teammates. We have support. We have others to run with. Just don't stop running! Simplistic? Extremely. Important? Unbelievably important! Crucial to our following.

So there's your Monday morning encouragement. No matter where you are, no matter what the score...please remember 1/2 the battle is to just keep pursuing; Don't stop running.

Howdy

What's up crew? Been awhile, eh? On the brain this Saturday morning:

I was reminiscing the other day about tornadoes. I grew up in "Tornado Valley" (The Tennessee Valley, North Alabama). I was thinking back to the underground shelter that was owned by this crazy old dude down the road from our house. I was remembering how crazy old dude became our best friend on many occasions. :-) I also remember when we got a phone call one Friday night, after a tornado had hit the local middle school and a couple of nearby neighborhoods. We had friends in those neighborhoods. We hopped in the car to go help. I remember being shocked by what I saw. One of the neighborhoods was nice. Big houses. Big brick houses. Strong houses. Didn't matter. What came through there made everything look vulnerable and weak. We huddled together with a family that was lucky to be alive. The dad, JUST prior to the thing hitting his house, grabbed his kids and wife and threw everyone in the hallway closet and became a shield over them. As we walked through what was once a home, we were amazed how that closet was one of the few areas unharmed.

Things are going great with my work, Generation Mortgage. That's a big part of why I haven't blogged in awhile. Very busy.

HERE is a great article on Auburn's Football Program. I hope they can turn things around this year and get a few good upsets.

God may be leading Dana and I back in to churchplanting. (Never thought I would say that this soon.) Will keep everyone posted.

Last Sunday I was a main character in a sketch at Northstar Church, 3rd-5th. Getting back in to drama (specifically with kids) is awesome. I'm right at home. The main phrase last week...that we can all benefit from: "We need to look for ways to tell friends and family about Jesus."

My "little" bro is getting married in November. He's the last of us Sutton boys to get hitched. It'll be a fun time. Outdoor wedding on Monte Sano Mountain. But shhhhh...y'all don't say anything....but Justin has a little surprise coming. What, you think we wouldn't do something really really embarrassing for the last one through?

Proud of My Home State

The front page of my home state's website (or at least the most popular state site) has THIS story and the above pic headlining today.

I'm just not sure what to say right now. Wow. I'm proud to be from Alabama? Ummmm....hmmm...wow. Iraq? Health care? A kidnapping? Election? Sports? No, those are secondary.

Wienermobile!
:-) gotta love it

Wednesday Happenings

>Bought the above in downtown C'ville this morning, off the back of a dude's truck. He also had tOmAters 4 sale. For the past 50 years, every Wed and Saturday, the locals will park in downtown Cartersville and sell their garden goods. I've heard this stuff is good. We shall see. I'm testing it on my mother-in-law. She comes in to town today to help with the kiddos while Dana attends a Christian Counseling conference in Nashville. She likes hot salsa (I don't), so this is just a small way to say THANKS for coming and helping us out. My father-in-law John will join in the battle (4 kids) tomorrow morning, broken leg and all.

>Soccer season is in full swing now. Braden and Logan played their first game Monday evening. They both did great and they absolutely love chasing a ball around the field and drinking blue powerade and eating snacks. While I was coaching Logan's team, Braden had a game going on at the same time. According to Dana, Braden played defense most of the game...until he went up to the coach and said something like, "Hey coach, I'd like to play up there and take the ball down the field and score a goal." The coach finally gave in and switched him to forward. Dana said within 60 seconds he got a breakaway opportunity, took the ball down the field, and scored. Atta boy! (Just like Dad used to do in high school soccer...well....except his kick when in the goal.)

>Working with seniors can have its frustrations at times, but overall it's a blast and I can't get enough of their stories. If you don't have the patience to sit and listen to their life stories, I feel for you. You're missing out.

>Prior to the games on Monday night, both Dana and Kinley were stung by a yellowjacket (unrelated to Georgia Tech). Kinley's has gotten better. Dana's arm still looks like a red ripe tomato.

>kIDS Beach Club is going great. About to launch our first club in Paulding County. Having a good gathering of local ministers next Thursday for a brief info meeting. Fun times.

>No carbonated beverages for 30 days. I'm on day 3. So far, I don't miss it. I've heard water is good to drink every now and then. :-)

How To Lose A Game, part "duh"

Hmmmmm, how ironic. Looks like I made my "How To Lose A Game" post one week too early. South Florida put it to the Tigers last night. Congrats to em.

Uh...duh...yeah, you're going to lose if you turn the ball over 5 times.

But hey, I'm not a fair weather fan. Time to re-group and do your best in conference play. Let's go.

How to Lose a Football Game

(For those who read my blog...all 5 of you, sorry it's been a slow week...more posts coming soon!) Here is the evidence of the meltdown I told you about from my previous AU post. I told you the quarterback made a bonehead move!

Wednesday Is Today

+ I could work 90 hours this week and still have stuff to get done. (This is no complaint - I'm in sales! I love being swamped!)

+ Cool thing happened last week at work: A lady had used up all her sick leave recovering from a surgery, so someone in HR sent out a company-wide email asking if anyone wanted to donate a vacation/sick day to her. I think she was in a bind and couldn't really afford any unpaid time off. The response was remarkable! She's probably set for the next couple of months. Some people donated 1/2 of their vacation. That's cool. That's steppin' up. That's unselfish. That's caring. Good stuff.

+ Driving back from being out town this weekend, I couldn't stop thinking about different business ideas. The overwhelming one: I have a ton of good ideas on how to run an extremely profitable, great Truck Leasing Company (Think UHaul, without all the problems.) I have no idea where the thought came from, but it wouldn't leave me alone. Maybe I'll make a few phone calls and try to sell my idea. Or maybe I'll just get back to work and wait til my genius Beanie Baby idea kicks in. (that's a joke in case you missed it.)

+ I've stopped yelling at my neighbor's cats. It used to bug me that they would come over every night and sleep in my driveway. But after realizing that they hunt down and DESTROY rodents (you know, like mice!), they are a welcome visitor.

+ Looking forward to flying out to Dallas this weekend. Texas residents are very proud of their state - like nowhere I've seen before.

+ Have I ever mentioned that having four kids, all under age 6, is a little crazy?

+ If I had time and money right now (and little responsibility): I would take a photography class, an acting class, tour with a drama team, go work for an inner-city ministry for a couple of months, visit California, let Dana get away for 2 straight weeks with nothing but relaxation on the agenda, build an airplane (oh wait, that's weird), go play 8 different disc golf courses over a weekend, and eat a Ruth's Chris steak. If the previous were put in order, I would start with the steak.

Dear Mr. Freeman

Dear Mr. KSU quarterback, Josh Freeman:

Congrats on a phenomenal game. You came into Jordan Hare Stadium and acted like it was your backyard. You dominated a good defensive team for 3.75 quarters. You had 33 completions for 289 yards. You were poised. You are extremely athletic and quick. Dude, I'm not being sarcastic...there's no doubt you are a great quarterback. I hope you guys do well in the Big 12. (I now see why you guys beat #4 Texas last year.)

But Mr. Freeman, you do realize your MAJOR mistake, right? You do realize that you caused the turning point in the game, right? Now, this is just a humble fan's opinion - a fan who was sitting on the 45 yard line last night, row 8. I had a perfect view of your lost focus. I guess it was around 6 minutes left (just going from memory here...hard to remember, I was depressed most of the game because or your team's dominance) that you decided you'd had enough of our defensive lineman getting the crowd back in the game. They were doing the usual hand/arm motions, asking the faithful fans (especially the student section) to bring the noise and help out. You decided to do the EXACT SAME MOTION, asking the crowd to bring it, as if you were saying, "I'm not scared, bring it...you got nothin'!"

Uh....Josh....I'm no football player, but....uh....you might want to leave the trash talking to linebackers and lineman. Not only did you say bring the noise, but you also mouthed off at our defensive lineman. Dude, here's some free advice: You had the game won. Our offense had sputtered all night. You just needed one more decent drive. You had done it all night. But I guess you just couldn't resist, eh? You lost focus dude.

The moment you did that, not only did it tick our fans off enough to increase the decibel level, but it also lit a fire in our defense that ultimately resulted in your demise (see pics above) - 2 sacks, a fumble, and an interception, all at the end of the game.

VIDEO OF THE HIT

A frustrating game, but no doubt one of the best endings I've witnessed in some time.