Wednesday, June 30, 2004

After a long day yesterday, I was looking forward to a night out with my wife. We had received a gift card to a restaurant we love going to, but usually can't afford. We couldn't tell how much the card was worth and so we just decided to go for it. It was hilarious--we were planning to just enjoy the dinner, no matter how much we had to add to the card. Like any good cheapskate, we asked our server in the beginning to run the card so we'd know how much we were working with. When the total came back, we about danced on the table. We were like, "BRING ON THE APPETIZER!!!" (don't you love it when people use "like" in that way...sorry about that.) We had a great dinner. It was fun to be together and laugh and talk. I am so blessed to be married to someone so witty, sexy, and loving. We finished up and even had enough left to bring home a key lime pie for Steve and Karen Speake who graciously watched our kids. Thanks guys!

The plans for the Luau are in full swing. That's what happens when two creative types marry. Nothing can ever be simple. In fact, simple is completely boring. We're having fun mapping it all out and will start making leaves for the palm trees tomorrow. We ordered this CD of Hawaiian music. Hilarious. This morning I was trying to teach Maddie and Ella a Hawaiian dance. Sheryl and I just got cracked up. These girls love to dance.

I've been working on sequencing for the CD. It can be challenging--working on a good flow that varies in tempo and group vs. solo songs. I think I am close.

As I watched a bit of the Today Show this morning I realized several things. First, I haven't watched the news in weeks and feel really out of touch. Second, after so many executions now in Iraq, how devastated the family of the current hostage must feel. I just can't imagine. Third, when the segment went from the hostage situation to a segment on camping gear--overpriced camping gear--I thought about how removed we are from the horrors that many Kurds, Rowandans and other face on a daily basis. I pass our fridge and see cute little Chantel's face whom we sponsor through World Vision. I have no concept of what life is like for her. I go about my day many times without a second thought for the suffering that runs so rampant. Tony Compollo's words echo in my ear... "Who did Jesus typically side with, the rich--or the oppressed?"

Thank you, Father for giving me a warm family, a warm house, laughter, and love beyond all measure. I am so grateful and yet feel so selfish. Please keep pricking my heart and conscience over those who You would be reaching out to and show me how I can make a difference where I am. May Your Kingdom break out in these war torn, stressful, violent times.

12 comments:

Brandon Scott Thomas said...

William,
By flow, I mean flow of worship, flow with regard to tempo and overall emotional feel. Like a worship service, I like to begin up. There ought to be waves of emotion throughout the CD. It should be a worship experience. The trick in this that's different from Sunday mornings is--Sundays I ahve a million songs to pick from. When sequencing, you have the 13 songs your ecorded and that's it. There was some thought put into which songs were recorded, but flow was the lesser important factor in that choice. Quality of song (does it express something theologically deep or heartfelt--both important) and translation into a non-instrumental version were the first things we looked at.

The feel of this recording is for those in desparate times. Emotions ranging from celebration through the difficulty, to deep cries for the Father.

As for the younger set, I think they'll completely dig Blessed Be and Who Am I.

See you in Alabama?

Matt Elliott said...

Brandon,

Have you ever considered jerking the mood, flavor and tempo around until you drive the worshipper mad? I find that to be really effective. Other times, I like to lead fast songs too slow and slow songs entirely too fast. And when I'm really motivated, I like to mix and match styles in the most arbitary fashion I can think of. Sample song list and order:

Night with Ebon Pinion
This is How We Overcome
Let the Lower Lights Be Burning
Nobody Fills My Heart Like Jesus
Did You Repent, Fully Repent?
Be Unto Your Name
You Never Mentioned Him to Me
Now the Day Is Over

Now THERE'S a CD for you!

Tim Castle said...

Matt, you forgot to throw in a really dismal funeral song, like "We Are Going Down The Valley." That really gets the collection plates to ringin'!

Brandon Scott Thomas said...

hilarious, guys! Love it! Matt--give me some of what you're smokin today.

Matt Elliott said...

Justin, the best course of action for the government's role in dealing with the poor is certainly debatable, but my motto for my personal interaction with the poor is this line from Jesus in Matthew 5:

"Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."

When you say, "In our country today, in most situations, people can work and if they work hard they can succeed," I think it's important to remember that most of us who have access to computers, internet and blogs have no idea what it means to be truly poor -- to be battling not only a lack of funds but a defeated mentality that goes back for generations. I'm not ready to concede that **anyone** who works hard in this country can succeed. **I** can, perhaps, but I'm not so sure that ANYONE can.

Just my two cents.

julie said...

I have heard all sides of this discussion...I work in a urban hospital labor and delivery...I have seen and heard so many things that I would have never believed were happening in people's lives if I hadn't witnessed them myself. So many people are pushed down and so hopeless that it will take more than just giving them money to pick them and their families up. I don't know the answers...I only how it makes my heart hurt to watch the suffering. There are moments at my job that I have to step out of the room and pull myself back together because it is so overwhelming. But what is most overwhelming to me...is to look into their eyes and see so much potential and know so deeply and so fully that Jesus died for them and he is loving them continually.
I was buying dinner tonight at a fast food restaurant and had to wait in line for a very long time because the cashier was a young girl who was very new on the job. She had a hard time getting people's orders together and had a vision problem...had to lean very close to register to read orders and the money. Every few seconds she reached up and touched her hat...nervous gesture but I found it so endearing. She was just about to come unglued...so many people and so many orders and the food was slow coming up and she kept mixing up orders... The woman two people in front of me ordered but then realized that she didn't have enough money with her. She was an older white woman who seemed to be mentally unstable. She said she would have to go out to her car and to get more money. The woman behind her...a very young black woman...asked if she just needed two dollars and offered to pay the two dollars for her. The look of unbelief was obvious and the cashier in a tone that let everyone know she didn't believe it either...You want to pay for her? Instantly all of us within earshot were in a different frame of mind. We had witnessed grace in such a humble and thoughtful way. Maybe it is just our job when someone needs and we are aware that they need to try to fill that need however we are capable of at the moment.
I don't usually ramble on for so long...just lost in so many thoughts.

Unknown said...

Amen Bro. Thomas. Wonderful words.

Matt Elliott said...

I believe that Jesus is trying to raise a question about the condition of our hearts. Is my heart bent toward giving or withholding? Do I remember in my heart that my possessions are not my own but God's? Am I looking for opportunities to give? Am I making myself available to do so? Certainly wise discernment is in order, but I musn't use "good judgment" as an license to move my heart in the direction of withholding moreso than giving. (And I'm not implying that you're doing that, Justin -- it's just a tendency for all of us, I think.) And when I consider that the passage I shared comes at the end of a larger body of teaching that includes going the second mile when forced to go one and giving more than demanded to the one who wants to sue me, it's apparent that Jesus is directing this particular instruction toward the one being approached rather than the one doing the approaching. Combine all of this with Jesus' overall attitude, teaching, and examples regarding the poor -- including a vivid description in Matthew 25 of the final judgment in which treatment of the poor is a major player -- and it's difficult to conclude that Jesus would be any less concerned about the poor in the 21st century than he was in the 1st.

Brandon, I truly appreciate how simply observing the progession of news stories turned your heart toward Chantel. Thanks for sponsoring her. The challenge for me peronally is to not just care for the poor in THEORY!

Brandon Scott Thomas said...

Matt--that was great. Amen. Honestly, I haven't always been as sensitive to these things as I should. The Lord is really changing my heart with regard to these issues. Justin--I'm about 13 years your senior...that should be good news to you. We're all learning here.

believingthomas said...

And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" lend to "sinners", expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as you Father is merciful.
Luke 6:34-36
Brandon, thanks for the toughts, we really are removed at times. And there is nothing better that a great Free meal!

SG said...

OK I feel soo shallow after reading the other posts!
I was just going to say HAPPY LUAU! If you lived near by I could run over a few inflatable palm trees, a sea shell punch bowl, and a couple dozen blow up fish! Kolby's fifth birthday was "under the sea." She had an Ariel costume and everything. I turned the garage into the ocean floor. (February-not exactly swim suit weather) Went a little nuts. Rob put his foot down when I started pricing truckloads of sand to cover the garage floor. But he was cool with the rotating mirror ball and we have used it several times since. Is there anything more fun than a kid's birthday party?! Fun times! I hope you have a great weekend. I've been told kids grow out of these things...I don't think I ever did!

Val said...

Saw your mom Wednesday morning at the coffee shop. I think the draw of the grandchildren is easily overcoming the pull of Abilene roots. I just hope y'all don't cut back too much on Abilene visits.