Smoke

Recently around Atlanta we've had smoke...lots of it. About 250 miles south of here is where the South GA fires have been going on. Yesterday was interesting. I'm out of town visiting family, on the lake, and it was interesting to listen to comments made by people on the lake and at church yesterday. "Ah man, whoa, this smoke is awful!" ; "Bummer, kind of puts a damper on Memorial Day weekend." ; "This is really getting to my allergies." ; "Wish it would hurry up and go away."

And at first, I was chiming in as well. It was weird. It was annoying. Looked like something out of the movies. Fog that wouldn't go away. Bothersome.

But as I was driving back from church, I had a thought. I couldn't shake the thought of WHERE this smoke was coming from. Over 250 miles away, this smoke was part of 52 fires that consumed 345,000 acres. People lost a lot. Land. Homes? Property. Crops. Trees. A sense of hopelessness. Nothing you can really do to stop it.

And for a moment, I felt weird (ashamed) for complaining about smoke that was "interfering" with my Memorial Day weekend. Meanwhile, others are piecing things back together.

I think in Christianity we do something similar sometimes. I think this is a picture of what it looks like when we are bothered by the stinch of other people's sin. We complain that it's interfering with our goodness. It's bothersome. Instead of reaching out, we sit in our comfortable chairs in our comfortable homes and shut all the doors and windows...so as to not let the smoke get in. In doing so, we are unknowingly throwing gas on their fires.

I know it's a stretch, but this illustration is the type of thing God uses from time to time to remind me of His compassion and His mercy and His unselfishness...and how we should be the same. Funny how an inconvenience can be a great reminder/lesson. As the GA Governor said in a recent article, "We're just getting a small scent of what they've lived with."

Happy B'day Babe

My outstanding, terrific, beautiful wife is getting old now. Ok, not really...in fact, she was only able to rent a vehicle 2 yrs ago. So congrats babe on reaching 27 today! You are a hard working Mom who cares for 4 kids - plus a hubby who acts like one...making that 5 kids you care for.

Happy Birthday!

That's Just Cool

LINK

Remove and Add

I bet you're thinking the title of this post has something to do with dieting...removing things like this banana split and adding more healthy, low fat stuff. Well, you're wrong. I just wanted to let everyone know the trick in getting the best DQ banana split. Remove the pineapple, add caramel. You will be in "I shouldn't be eating this" heaven.

Today's sweet tooth tip has been brought to you by Jonathan Sutton - someone who must have a dessert after every meal...and someone who seriously needs to stop eating so much stuff like pictured above. Hey wait, it's got bananas! So it's "healthy", right?!?

Hard Work

This phrase has been on my brain today...working hard, pushing forward, trying to achieve a ton. Been thinking about the demand of hard work, the temptation to stop striving, and the reward of hard work. Here's two good quotes for ya:

"Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best."
Theodore I. Rubin

"Having once decided to achieve a certain task, achieve it at all costs of tedium and distaste. The gain in self confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labor is immense."
Thomas A. Bennett

And then, of course, you have Proverbs 14:23
"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."

Food for thought. Good stuff. Work hard today. (And don't waste time blogging like I'm doing right now! ha.)

Pro Lessons

So I'm sitting here watching Sunday night baseball on ESPN and the announcers are discussing the unconventional delivery of the pitcher. It's interesting how every pitcher has different delivery methods, different philosophies, different leg kicks and arm angles and quickness. But yet, they are all in the majors. While some things hold true - like being able to throw a 90+ fastball or a slider or offspeed pitch - each of these guys are very very unique. I like the lesson there. I like how that illustrates life and ministry.

Also, I like other lessons baseball teaches us. Like how .250 is a good batting average. Think about that for a second. If you strike out or fly out or ground out 75% of the time, you're doing good. Seems odd doesn't it? But I like how that illustrates life. And just like how we are supposed to get right back up and keep trying, so do these pros. When they are 0-3 on the night and up for the fourth time, they put all that behind them because they have a chance to win it with a hit in the ninth.

Having said all that...I still say pro ball is tainted by the use of steroids and major league tickets are way overpriced. Plus, the game on right now is the Yankees and Mets. Who care about the Yankees?!

Finishing Strong

So the 1st year of t-ball was challenging...but tons of fun for the kiddos. They think they won every game. Truth is, they were winless going into the final two games...but we pulled out W's in both. That's cool. Not only did they finish strong winning the last two games, but they showed vast improvement from the beginning of the season. One kid that I never thought would hit it from the coach pitching...rather just off the tee...nailed a pitch yesterday delivered from the coach. Good stuff. Fun stuff.

aeiou...not eieio!

So it all makes sense now! A few weeks ago, as I was hanging out with my oldest Braden, about to put him to bed, he started singing Old McDonald. When he got to the "eieio" part, he sang it as "aeiou". I remember correcting him but he stood firm with his aeiou. We went back and forth over it until I finally gave up, seeing how he was convinced it was aeiou. Well, at his pre-K graduation ceremony last night, it all came together. They sang Old McDonald on stage last night and used aeiou. Ahhhhh, ok, it was to help them remember their vowels. Duh.

(My wife says it's embarrassing that I would even post this...that I didn't realize this earlier...but I reminded her that I'm 30 now and can't quite process information like I used to.)

Downhill

It was nice knowing all of you. Thanks for the memories. Thanks for the friendship. Today is the day. It is all downhill from here.

Back in 77, on this day, I emerged from my mother's womb (only to be dropped on my head seconds later...just a joke, I think...may have happened...that would explain a lot...). So today should be a day of celebration, but OH NO my friend, not even close. It's a day of mourning.

Ok, enough with this. The pic above was taken Monday night at the surprise bday party my wife put together. Total shock. I was clueless. Thanks Dana! You are a great wife and great friend!

Once again, take care.

(Perhaps I'm taking this so hard b/c I realize that one of the implications of turning 30 is I cannot blame immaturity on dumb things that I do now. Prior to today, whenever I did something stupid, I could just simply blame it on only being in my 20's and not knowing any better. But that changes now, right? Somehow this 30 category seems to carry a much heavier responsibility...a burden if you will. Geez...great...now I'm responsible for my actions. What's next? Am I supposed to act grown up now? Oh boy, fun.)

Backseat Turn Around

As we were driving to Logan's end of the year pre-school program at Tabernacle this morning, Kinley was doing something cute to make Camden laugh. So I turned around for a quick glance to see what was going on. I did this a few times, all the while trying to drive, when it hit me. Life is much like this quick glance, this quick turn around. We are trying to catch every moment of our kid's lives. We are trying to savor those cute Kodak moments (which is much better than the normal reason of turning around: "Boys, stop fighting" or "Boys, stop taking off your sister's shoes and throwing them out the window.")

And while we are attempting to capture these family moments, we have to keep looking forward, don't we? We have to keep our eyes on the road. Leading. Teaching. Between the Lines. No crashing. We must go back to our jobs, our other responsibilities. But yet we just want to stay in that moment...cause they come and go so quickly.

So savor each moment. Be sure to even pull over sometimes, just to thank God for your kids and show them how much you care.

Scary Bat

So I just checked my voicemail on my cell phone...seeing that I missed a phone call from my wife. Here was the message: "Uh yeah, honey...uh yeah, I think I hit a bat driving home last night and I think it might be stuck to the front of the car...and well, I think I'll just let you look at it when you get home...cause you know, they are scary and all, and well, I'm afraid he might come back to life."

Oh fun. Dead bat on the front of our car. I think I'll get my two oldest boys to assist me. Very educational :-)

All Shook Up

I recently finished listening to a book on audio, Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. I'll be posting some stuff about it over the next month. EXTREMELY good book. Worth the read (or listen).

Poor Bammer

Haven't picked on Bama in awhile, so there ya go.

Stossel-Rama

John Stossel is quickly becoming my hero. (Ok, that's an exaggeration.) But the dude is quite awesome. He picks apart myths and media lies. If you've never seen him before, he's mostly on 20/20 doing his "Give Me A Break" series. For a brief bio on the guy check out his Wikipedia page.

Wonder if I could grow a stache like that?

Update

Thanks to all who were praying for me and Dana as we met with KiDs Beach Club. We have decided to accept the position of Area Director! (I say "we" because Dana will be mainly be doing it but I will assist as her handsome and charming sidekick...I think she's just using me for my looks and sales skills :-)) Ok, seriously though, WE ARE PUMPED! This ministry has seen hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of kids accept Christ! And they are a fairly new ministry. Over the next few weeks/months we will be speaking with churches and schools, getting geared up for the Fall. We are excited to bring this to the ATL area. If you are interested in your church or school getting involved in this ministry, visit the website and then contact me at jonsutton6@yahoo.com.

Rock on.

Lake Time

Going up to Lake Lanier to spend time with fam this weekend. Thank God summertime is here!

Baby Hatch? Weird.

LINK

Connecting The Unconnected

Our pastor at Oak Leaf, Michael, recently put up the results to a survey we took at church. Here's two quick highlights:

33% of people didn't go to church at all before coming to OLC. Another 10% went to another church only 1-2 times a month.

54% said a personal invitation was the crucial factor in them visiting for the first time. 25% said it was a postcard. And 12% saw a road sign.

That just gets me pumped! Doing what it takes to connect the unconnected! It's awesome to know that people are coming to church for the first time or consistently for the first time in a long time. Hearing about God's Grace. Experiencing God through worship. Meeting other folks. Connecting. Also, it's no surprise that most people come due to being personally invited. Keep up the good work OLC!

No Cost Or Obligation

I recently saw an advertisement on TV for a Jesus video. Unfortunately, it looked really really cheesy (what a surprise). What was interesting is the phrase I caught in the middle of the ad: "...no cost or obligation...". Obviously they just wanted people to know they could get the video for free and without having to sign up for anything.

But it reminded me of what we are called to. The devotion that we must recommit ourselves to daily. The seriousness of what is at stake. While God's grace and forgiveness are free...and while anyone and any point in their life with baggage galore can find salvation and freedom in Christ...our following The Way, our Savior, is not without cost or obligation. Hearing that phrase, especially in that context, reminded me of Luke 9:57-62:

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Random Tuesday Pic

Yes, I Can Feel It!

Poor video quality but these guys have some skills. Just a heads up: You'll find yourself singing this song all day.
ENJOY

Spidey

Dana and I will see if Spiderman 3 lives up to all the hype. We are going to see it tonight. Props to our local Carmike Cinemas that opened up last summer. They are the first theater in GA to have digital film in all theatres. Makes a difference. Especially in movies like this one.

Stay-At-Home Value

"Stay-at-home mother's work worth $138,095 a year!"
LINK

Be The Active Ingredient

I don't frequent Smoothie King too often. Just have never been real big on spending $5 for flavored crushed ice. But as I stood in line at the mall last week waiting on my strawberry/banana/protein/superduperhealthy concoction, I caught their slogan on the wall: "Be The Active Ingredient." I thought to myself - what a great line.

Here's how I translate that statement: YOU be the difference maker. Yes, we will provide important stuff - protein, vitamins, flavor, nasty junk to ruin your otherwise sweet sugary milkshake - but YOU must implement it, YOU must apply it. Be the ACTIVE ingredient.

(Yes, I overthink things.)

But think about it. What a cool line. Applied to your job it means: Yes, surround yourself with wise business people, good systems, financially sound decisions, etc. But YOU must be the active ingredient. YOU must passionately pursue your God given role. (Hope this does not sound "self-helpish"...I don't intend it to be.)

Applied to the church and ministry: Volunteer, Follower of Christ, listen up: BE THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT! Don't just sit back and expect the leaders of your church to babysit you and hold your hand through routine church programs. Be the active ingredient! Pursue your lost neighbor and hurting friend with reckless abandonment! Yes, the church is there to provide you nourishment and discipleship and tools. But YOU must step out in faith and personally take responsibility for what God has called you to. God has given you everything necessary to live out your faith - now DO IT.

Without being an Active Ingredient, you just simply have lots of good stuff sitting and becoming sour.

Plane Pics

Two cool pics of our view on the plane this past weekend, heading out to Dallas. Flying to Dallas: Way much better than driving.

Month of May

May is a big month. 3 birthdays to celebrate. Mine, my wife's, and my father-in-law's. (May is an expensive month!) This May is a bit different though. A bit weird. A bit tragic if you will. For you see, this May 17th of the year 2007, I turn 30. Yep, 30. For me, life as I know it is over. Yeah, I hear some of you..."You're still a baby...30!??! Old?!?!!! Ha! That's nothing!" But I beg to differ. It's a wrap for me. Done. Finished. Life is over.

Ok, I'm kidding...sorta.

Monday Morning Update cont...

> Found out I could take two more classes and receive a Masters of Arts...instead of a Masters of Divinity (around 8 classes left). Since I'll really never need either one to accomplish what I'll be doing - Master of Arts here I come! Dana and I plan on walking together next May.

Monday Morning Update

> Trip to Dallas was phenominal! (More to come on that as we prayfully consider accepting the position.)

> I paid no attention to the NFL draft this weekend. College ball is WAY much better.

> My boy's t-ball team is 0-3. But they think they're 3-0. Plus, they get juice boxes and chips after the game...so who cares, eh?

> God continues to bless Oak Leaf. It is way way way exciting! People are being saved and families are being changed. Me and Dana are migrating back into Kidventure, helping out where we can.

> Every other Sunday night I get together with a group of guys to play poker. Fun fun times. It has become my quality "guy time"...which has been lacking for a couple of years. We have a ton of fun.

> Thank you Lord that warm weather has finally arrived! Can't wait to start heading over to the lake.

> Today's verse: Psalm 119:16
I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

Holy Softball

Yesterday I was daydreaming a bit and starting thinking back to Seminary. I was remembering all the friends we made and the places we lived and our involvement in a really great church there. One memory that kept surfacing was how I would skip class to play softball on the main lawn. I really enjoyed it. Too much. Yet another sign that I didn't quite fit in.

Dallas Bound

Say a prayer for me and Dana as we fly out to Dallas this weekend. We are meeting with the founder of Kids Beach Club. They are wanting to bring it to ATL and we will get to see what it's all about first hand.

Thanks.

Tuesday's Pic

Good Guy / Bad Guy

My 4yr old Logan has developed an ingenious system. When wrestling around with his older brother Braden, he is often a good guy, teaming up with Braden to conquer the forces of evil (the couch, chair, and imaginary foes). But at any given time he can turn to Braden and say, "Braden, I'm a bad guy" and proceed to punch and hit and conquer his older Brother. And then when Braden responds by fighting back...and Logan has had enough, he will say, "No no no, I good guy, I good guy...". And surprisingly Braden plays right along and goes back to conquering their enemies together. It's quite humorous to watch!

Do you see the deep spiritual analogy? Yeah, me neither....but I'm sure there's one there. :-)

Apostasy

I sometimes visit dictionary.com to get the correct spelling of a word or check a definition. Today I go on there and see the word of the day is "Apostasy" - Total desertion or departure from one's faith, principles, or party.

It made me think of people I know who have totally deserted their faith for one reason or another. I've talked with people who attended church for a couple of years then gave it up. I've also known people who abandoned it all after saying yes to the call of ministry.

I think it's too easy to just say, "Well, they were probably never saved to begin with." That statement is WAY overused. That may be true for some but we too quickly dismiss their reasons and too quickly give up on trying to bring them back.

"Total desertion" is a strong statement, isn't it? It's one thing to temporarily give up on something...but absolutely and positively leaving something is another ballgame. So today, while I'm at work, I'm praying for those that I know who have walked away. I'm praying that they'll see God do a new work in their lives. I'm praying for their families and those that have influence around them. I'm praying they will see that God is full of mercy and love and purpose. I'm praying for an awakening.

Pic of the Day

No, I'm not promoting Nascar, just a cool pic of my two youngest at the Mall.

Never Say Never

I've concluded that the following statement is absolutely true: "Never Say Never". Never say you won't do something. Specifically, never say you won't do THIS or THAT in ministry or in your career. You just never know. God has a sense of humor. More importantly, he has the power to change your heart...and your desires...and your passion.

When Dana first started leading the kid's ministry at Oak Leaf, I mostly stayed away. I think I did what most people do when it comes to children's ministry (unfortunately): I only helped out when I ABSOLUTELY HAD TO. And my mind was not focused on the task at hand. It was only thinking about what I was missing elsewhere.

---I think I even said somewhere in the middle of it all: "I will never do any kind of children's ministry."---

Funny how things change. After several months of working in Kidventure and realizing undiscovered God-given gifts, I think God has prepared both of us for a future of working with kids. The setting? Not sure yet. There are some upcoming possibilities...one involving doing kid's ministry IN SCHOOLS - which I'm very pumped about since my heartbeat is to connect the church with the community.

Funny how the one thing you thought you would hate can become the VERY THING you long to do.

Community

Cool pic of response to the VT tragedy

Guns

The tragedy of the VT shooting has stirred up the gun debate again. I find it very interesting that people can look at the exact same event and draw completely different conclusions. But that's how life works, eh? And that's part of living in freedom.

Gun control advocates say this dude obtained a gun too easily. Within hours the media jumped on this, interviewing the owner of the gun shop and bashing VA state gun laws.

Gun rights people argue that perhaps the tragedy could have been avoided if guns were allowed on campus....if citizens with permits had their concealed weapon on them, they could have defended themselves.

I think both sides of this argument have valid points. (I do lean toward the gun rights side however.)

Perhaps one of the worst parts of this event (besides the horror of what happened) is how quickly the media started placing blame on the campus police and the University. While no system is perfect, it ends up they responded like they were supposed to. The media really annoys me. Why can't we just call this what it is - a freak event, nobody saw it coming, hardly preventable - and stop ripping apart those who were there doing their job and trying to help.

Ok, that's all for me. I meant to just bring up the gun issue.

Close Call

Wrecks and sports bloopers are fun to watch. But it's a bit different when it's someone you know. Blogworld, meet Allen. Allen, Blogworld. Allen is in our small group at church. Fortunately, despite the wreck, Allen is still with us. And believe it or not, no hospital visit either. Just a busted leg and a thumb swollen to the size of a grapefruit.

My curiosity for riding motorcycles is now tamed for awhile.

Monday's Post

I'm really tired today. That's about all I got. Enjoy.

Batter's Up

1st t-ball game today. They had a blast. Us coaches have some work to do...teaching them how to field and stuff. But everyone had a blast. Braden and Logan are the two in the middle. Logan is hammin' it up.