Holy Haircut Batman it’s a Paradox January 24, 2012

Doesn’t that title make you want to run out, get some batman tights, head to a remote beach and sing modern major general to a group of pirates or is that just me

As I was reading I came across a simple example that has stayed at the forefront of my mind for a long time…I’ve read three other books since the one with this simple example and many more examples explaining concepts but this one keeps knocking the others out of the way so I thought I would share it (this is paraphrased to keep it a bit shorter).

“You are in a class to become a beautician. Your teacher tells you of a famous barber whom you could be like if you work hard. The barber lives and works in the town of Saxon and is so good that he cuts everyone’s hair except for those who cut their own. As you are listening you think to yourself this barber can not exist. In the town of Saxon everyone falls into two categories: 1. Those who cut their own hair. 2. Those who have the barber of Saxon cut their hair. As you process you realize all answers lead you to a paradoxical conclusion. Much like a round square this barber can’t exist. By definition something round has no corners and something square has corners. So why can’t the barber exist?

**Since either the barber cuts your hair or you cut your own who cuts the barbers?

**If he does not cut his own hair, being the only barber who cuts hair, he cuts his own hair.

**If he does cut his own hair then he doesn’t cut his own hair because the barber does not cut the hair of those who cut their own.

**The only conclusion is that the barber doesn’t exist.

Why this particular example is so prominent escapes me at the moment. It is simply an example like many others used in theological, philosophical, linguistic, apologetics for apologetics and other such books. I’m stumped.

What are your Thoughts??

P.S. The title of the blog almost makes sense…the example was in a contemporary discourse of apologetics hence the holy.

Thanks for reading my brain splatter and have a great day!!

Happy 10th Birthday Love January 21, 2012

Wow, 10 already. I can remember thinking “will he ever be able to_____” Now I wonder when he grew so tall…I never saw him grow, he was just tall one day.

I’m not sure what I did to be blessed with such an amazing young man but I am most certainly grateful and very proud to call him my son

Love you baby

Beauty Defined by Love January 19, 2012

How would you define beauty? Can you define beauty? Perhaps approaching 40 has sent my mind into moments of existential thinking. Perhaps the realization that I spend my life helping and serving others but feel a sense of helplessness in a moment when from the depths of my soul I want to help in any way I can while at the same time realizing that those things I can help with won’t change the fact that in the grand scheme of the situation nothing I do can will change the outcome. As this thought reclines in a chair with it’s feet up in my mind all I can do is cover it with a blanket so for a second it doesn’t exist.

It is impossible to find beauty when you allow chaos to reign in your life, your thoughts, your words and your actions. So how do you get to a place where you can define beauty?

From 16 – 25 give or take a few years beauty was looking perfect at all times, so I did.
From 25 – 30 beauty was getting any man I wanted, when I wanted him and most the time I did.
At 30 something changed. I left the house without make-up on, without my hair done, wearing pajamas but people still called me beautiful. Huh?

My first son was born about 2 1/2 weeks before I turned 30. For the first time in my life I understood beauty. It was so simple. Beauty was no longer dependent on an outside image. Beauty was defined by love. So to define beauty you have to understand it’s relation to love. Love never ends so beauty must never fade. So now, I define beauty this way:

The laughter shared with my friends and family
The love that holds on to hope when it seems senseless to do so.
The unintentional smile on my boys faces when I kiss them softly on the cheek as they sleep
Stopping to help when you don’t have time to stop
Doing everything you can even when you realize it won’t change anything
Holding my newborn niece in my arms with her sister on my lap as she gently touches her face
Seeing the smile on my boys faces when they realize I’m there cheering them on
Wiping the tears from my boys faces when they didn’t win the trophy because winning is about doing your best.
My heart melting when my boys see a single tear drop from my eyes so they come to my side and tell me jokes
Beauty is kicking those thoughts of helplessness out of the recliner so you see the beauty in every moment and you keep loving, doing, laughing and spending every moment you have filled with joy because you have that moment.

Beauty and love are synonymous. Without love, you can’t see the simple beauty before you. Without true inner beauty, you’ll never recognize love.

How do you define beauty?

Have a happy night and thanks for reading my brain splatter

Christmas without the box December 23, 2011

This year I lost Christmas. The joy I once had in decorating the tree, baking cookies, shopping for gifts and taking evening walks to look at the lights, gone. Yesterday as I was thinking about what to get for this person, that person, the other persons it hit me. That’s what was sucking the joy out of Christmas. I was giving without a purpose…it was expected of me. I began to think, what if I gave something that was from the heart rather than from a shelf. Here is what many people will be getting from me this year:

Enclosed in each envelope will be 40 – 60 individual strips of paper, each with a different note of encouragement, some general and some meant for the person receiving the envelope. It’s been quite a task to give this gift but I’ve a renewed passion for Christmas

Have you ever stepped out of the box to give something unique as a gift?

Merry Christmas to you all and thanks for reading my brain splatter

Moments is all you need :-D December 15, 2011

This has been a year of celebrating milestones on our staff. I have always said I get to work with some pretty awesome people and some for 10 years now. I thought I’d take a moment to share with you some of the moments this decade has held…some joyous, some sad, some a little of both.

How it all started…perhaps there was a bit of the divine in this unusual beginning. I got a call asking if I’d like to come in to interview for a specific position. I knew the staff and thought, awesome. The position called for a less colorful personality (a bit more reserved if you will). I get another call saying they had somehow included two positions in the budget…unheard of really… and asked if I’d like to meet with Mike and Mark in Student Ministries.

Camp…The camp experience is based completely on the counselor and kids. I like to be the fun counselor. Shocking, I’m sure. If your counselor is a stick in the mud, not gonna happen. It’s a delicate balance. Some fun camp stuff…not gonna tell you which year what happened.

Ant eating contest, nugget contest and night of digestive issues, bear breaking down a door, several bears hanging on the grass just below us, plastic covered mattress races in the snow, the car in the road shake, backing up on a freeway, power outage while I was in the shower, Indiana Jones driving moments , pizza parties, the boys who threw ice because they cared, the chocolate note….really, I could go because camp is what you make of it but I’ll end with seeing lives change, getting to see that gawky 5th grader enter Jr. High or that scared 3rd grader away for their first time turn into these kids that would make any parent proud and perhaps lose a few nights of sleep

The creative moments…One of the things I really love is taking a simple concept and making it come to life for people. Some of the fun things I’ve had fun creating, building, designing and doing.

*The stone – About a year after I started Student Ministries was put in charge of Good Friday and one of my tasks was to create the stone that was in front of the tomb from what was around me. It needed to look realistic. After numerous tries and various designs the final design came out awesome. It’s amazing what you can do a huge round table, butcher paper and granite spray paint.
*The cave – Building a realistic, dark lions den with sound that kids could go in and not destroy. It took a few weeks but man was it fun. It was a pop tent covered in butcher paper with some plastic and sand on the floor. It was pitch black with a secret opening for the lion paw so a few seconds after the kids went in there was a huge lions roar and a little fuzzy something that they couldn’t see but could feel.
*The Giant – Yep, a 9 foot 6 inch giant made of sturdy cardboard wielding a sword. I made sling shots to go with it and stones for the kids to sling…that was fun too
*Slime – All kids must get slimed at some point so lemon pudding and green food coloring work quite well as long as you have goggles on
*The battle – Why just tell about the battle when you can re-enact it with water squishy balls and pool noodles
*The rocket ship – This was a collaborative effort. A group of us turned a room into a giant spaceship. I hit the pillow at 3am and the other two about 4am but I had to drive down a mountain at 6am.
*The tomb – Again, a lot of people helped with this. We took three high school classrooms and made one the tomb (PVC piping and butcher paper), one the Garden of Gethsemane and one the cross / hillside. A very long day but so worth it!!
*The lab – Giant beakers, erupting volcano’s, exploding fountains, oobleck for all and a nutty blonde professor, me
*The rock slide – Quite literally. I had buckets full of big rocks and we put it at the top of a slide and had kids sit on a bunch and when they went down so did the rocks but under them
*The float war – Yep, exactly what it sounds like. Everyone was covered in sticky root beer and spray confetti…I started that
*The messiest thing ever – A giant parachute, 8 bags of shredded paper with worms (of the gummy sort), one big throw and then a paper and worm fight that took a long time to clean up but worth it

There have been many, many others and with each creation I try to raise the bar. I have been fortunate to work with people who say “make it so” and then let me create with no inhibitors.

Then there are just moments…
*The characters that were created and played out.
The all nighters with singing contest, body part hunts (bug body parts), fashion shows, etc.
*Having students walk in and drench me with water guns, slime (yep me too),
*The skits out of nowhere…just when you thought it was the walls of Jericho and you knew what was coming….surprise
*Walking with people through hard times, youth and adults.
*Losing people who have touched your heart…many tears have been shed over time.
*Walking for 24 hours alongside someone who had lost his mom to cancer.
*The amount of love that was poured out while my dad was in the hospital to my family.
*Welcoming newborns into the world…many tears of joy have been shed over time
*Africa, so many moments, none of which would have happened had it not been for Mike’s logic, Michelle’s enthusiasm and Amy’s willingness to go with me to keep me in the plane. Moments I’ve shared and moments that were more “what happens in Africa stays in Africa”

After all, what are years but a series of moments we call memories. There have been countless moments, each significant, each creating a lasting memory, each with unique significance. I cherish each and continue to add more each day.

Merry…hmmmm, what’s the word I’m looking for??? November 30, 2011

When my sons ask me if Santa really exists, I smile and say no one knows, you see he has this way of knowing when you close your eyes for even a moment and that’s when he comes. No child has ever seen him. At that point, there is silence and you can see their brains going. Then they start asking questions and what mom wouldn’t take that opportunity to explain the muter boots on the reindeer hooves and have a little fun with it.

When all is said and done, they know the story of St. Nicholas and how he gave selflessly, be it wheat, coins or stopping an execution, he paved the way for our modern day Santa Claus. To this day many are inspired to give anonymously because of his actions in the 4th century. So yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and you can find a bronze likeness of him in Russia, once again.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…did you realize they sang the same tune in Moses time, or there about? Not the literal tune but from a religious perspective, when the book of Leviticus was written the people were told to decorate with foliage and rejoice before God for 7 days? Evergreens, ivy, etc. were part of that even before the gift they were waiting for arrived.

Then there was Martin Luther, theologian in the 16th Century who was walking home one winter evening and was awestruck by the beauty of the stars as they twinkled between the evergreens. He wanted to recapture this beauty to show his family so he put a tree in the main room and wired candles on it. That must have been a beautiful sight.

Even before Martin Luther, people used evergreens for many things, health, ward away evil spirits…the list goes on. Even the vikings regarded the evergreen a tree of the gods.

My kids love the Christmas tree. I too, use to love to just sit in a room with a cup of tea, a book and the lighted tree…life rarely affords me that kind of tranquility for any period of time but I don’t mind . We hang stockings and Santa visits and leaves gifts for my children every year…he still stops at my parents and leaves me gifts too

When I was little I always wanted to know who the gift was from but with the exception of someone putting my name on my brothers unmentionables and vice versa, no one would tell. As I’ve gotten older, I understand now that who gave the gift didn’t matter as much as the reason they endured the crowds to give it….there was no e-shopping when I was little so they did endure crowds.

Christmas is about a gift of love. St. Nicholas gave out of love, compassion, a desire to see a better tomorrow. God gave out of love, compassion, a desire that none should perish, he gave the gift of a child, his son. I can’t think of a greater gift of love, can you?

Scars November 29, 2011

Scars serve such a great purpose, don’t they? Let me back up. There was a time I saw them as physical imperfections, emotional imperfections, things to hide, eliminate. It’s amazing what age does for your perspective.

I only have three physical scars and they are categorized like this: 1. Scar of disobedience. 2. Scar of obedience. 3. Scar of faith / trust. When I really think about it, all emotional scars fall into those same categories. Let me explain as briefly as I can.

My first physical scar is above my left eye. When I was around 7 I got a pretty nasty case of chicken pox and my mom said not to scratch them or they would leave a scar. She was right, that scar above my left eye is there because I didn’t obey my mom. No one really sees it because make-up makes it vanish.

My second physical scar is on my left leg. My brothers job was to take out the trash but for some reason he wasn’t home so my mom asked me to help take it out. I picked up the bag and carried it out (this was before color coded trash bins when you just took the big black bags to the curb and the guys come by, got out of the truck and threw the bags in). About halfway across the lawn I felt what I thought was a scratch. As I walked back across the lawn I felt something moist. I looked down and it was blood. A broken plate had pierced the bag and my leg. The cut was about 2 inches long and 3/4 of an inch deep. I was about 12 or 13 when it happened. That scar is one of obedience and the worst of the three.

My third and last physical scar is on my right arm and it happened a couple years ago. I decided to take the short way back to the road because I have rock climbed for years so I lept from rock to rock where necessary. That last rock was a doozie. I don’t remember much to be honest. I looked, stepped, opened my eyes and was sliding down a hill in Africa on my stomach and my first thought was I need to stop or I’m going over edge and that’s bad. I don’t remember falling, landing, anything between stepping and then opening my eyes. I stood up and said I’m fine, let’s go. Didn’t see the blood running down my arm, the rock embedded in my hand, etc. It didn’t hurt because I was in shock but about 15 minutes later it was all I could do to not cry…I’m tougher than this. When all was said and done My mid section was scraped and bruised, most of my left side above the waist was bruised, both knees were bruised, my arm had quite a gash and both hands were scraped so a nurse picked rocks out of my hand and arm with a straight razor…they didn’t have pain killers or anything to numb it so I toughed it out. I got back in the van and could see the concern so to lighten the mood I looked to Monty Python and said “Tis but a flesh would”. The scar is not as visible as it was but it’s my favorite one because it is a scar of faith.

Throughout the years we all form emotional scars, barriers, walls…call them what you will. These scars are a big part of who we are. Every broken relationship thickens the scar because we don’t want to hurt like that again. Every friend who left because their parent got a new job in another state thickens the scar so we stop getting to close. Every death, expected or unexpected, thickens the scar because we don’t want to care because caring means enduring and staying strong for the person who’s dying, standing alongside their loved ones, silent. Every argument, every painful word said to us, every deception thickens the scars so we slowly begin to shut down, stop sharing, stop caring. We exist but nothing more. There has to be a better way.

What if we used the scars to teach us, build us, make us stronger, more loving, more caring, more accepting, more forgiving. What if we stopped letting the scars thicken? External scars fade over time sometimes so much that only we notice them. When I get ready the one above my eye reminds me to listen to others because I don’t know it all. The one on my leg reminds me that even when I’m doing the right thing bad things can happen but eventually those things will be brought to light and set right.

The greatest teaching scar is the one on my arm. The scar that was there before it was stopping me from doing but once I pushed past a new scar was formed, a scar that reminds me that the only way to get rid of a negative scar is to replace it with a positive one. I am grateful for those who helped me form that new scar….come to think of it, some of those have helped me form several new, positive scars.

What scars do you need to replace?

Mustard Seeds November 29, 2011

When I was in high school the mustard seed was the “in thing” to wear for Christian youth everywhere. There were necklaces, rings, bracelets, shirts, etc. I can remember going to Knotts Jubilation to see Bryan Duncan with a bunch of church friends and they all proudly displayed their mustard seed wear and asked why I was not. I remember looking at them and asking “how many mountains have you moved with your mustard seed?” They all looked blankly. No one could give me an adequate answer as to the meaning of the mustard seed. Over time new trends occurred and the mustard seed was forgotten by all but me. Why, of all things, would God use a mustard seed. That’s not demanding much faith at all, a seed,a little tiny seed.

That question, why a mustard seed, has never left my mind. Over the years many tried to explain but their explanations never satiated my thirst, there had to be more to it. Finally, an answer came in the form of a book. It didn’t explain much about the actual scripture but about the mustard seed and then, for me, it all made sense.

The mustard seed was never meant to be something we compare our faith in God to nor was it meant to move a mountain. The mustard seed spread like wild fire when it hit the ground and in no time, mustard plants were popping up everywhere. If we have the faith of a mustard seed, our faith will inspire others, it will spread like wild fire and soon our faith becomes their faith and their faith, etc. until there are so many that we, by faith, can move mountains (aka changing systems and really the world as a whole). Awesome!!

Thanks for reading my brain splatter and have a great night.

Help if you can, let us help if you can’t :-D November 14, 2011

The holiday food banks are always a bit crazy but in a great way!! We get to serve more people and get to see more people step up and serve

If you would like to serve we have lots of opportunities for you!

November Food Banks
*The Parkcrest Heartwell Campus Food Bank will be Thursday, 11/17, from 10am – 11am. If you’re helping, we’ll see you at 7:00am. If you’re partaking, people start lining up at 5:30am.

*The Parkcrest 7th Street Campus Food Bank will be Saturday, 11/19, from 11am – 12:30pm. If you’re helping, we’ll see you at 9:00am. If you are partaking, people start lining up around 9am.

*Thanksgiving Day our 7th Street Campus will be serving hot meals from 11am – 2pm. If you would like to help, I’ll hook you up. Anyone is welcome to partake.

December Food Bank
*The Parkcrest Heartwell Campus Food Bank will be Thursday, 12/15, from 10am – 11am. If you’re helping, we’ll see you at 7:00am. If you’re partaking, people start lining up at 5:30am.

*The Parkcrest 7th Street Campus Food Bank will be Saturday, 12/17, from 11am – 12:30pm. If you’re helping, we’ll see you at 9:00am. If you are partaking, people start lining up around 9am.

Last year between the two campuses we got to serve over 600 families!! Awesome!! This year, we’re hoping to be able to serve our community even better. If you’re not sure where to start I’d be happy to help you out

If you can help, we’d love to have you. If you need help, we’d love to serve you.

Dear Military, November 11, 2011

You rock in every possible way!!! If you’re in the military, stand up and be counted. Tell your story.

Thank you for fighting for those of us who stand with you in word, in prayer and in every way we can. Thank you for fighting for the rights that allow protesters to protest. Thank you for sacrificing your brothers in arms…I know what a tight brotherhood it is. Thank you to the families who selflessly gave their sons, fathers, daughters, mothers so all of us could be free.

Thank you for every second you give up to help keep this nation a free one. Your effort, sacrifices, genuine desire to see all people free is inspiring. Thank you for putting others first. Thank you for pulling yourselves together each time a team comes home with less than it left with. You have my prayers, my thoughts and a plate of homemade cookies whenever you want them.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!