Completely Normal

I received the results of my pulmonary function test yesterday. To my relief, they were "completely normal." That may be the first time in my life I have ever been certifiably diagnosed as completely normal. The plan now is basically to sit and wait until my appointment with a specialist at the end of September. I would appreciate your continued prayers.

In Memory

I am home in Ohio today for the funeral of my grandfather who passed away on Saturday evening. He was my last surviving grandparent. Sadly, the Greatest Generation is now gone for me.

My favorite grandpa story is that when he was being deployed to serve in the Aleutian Islands in World War II, he was told there would be a beautiful woman behind every tree. When he arrived, he understood the ruse. There weren't any trees.

Another Step In The Revolution

I am not sure when I first heard about Compassion International, but the organization was mentioned often by people during the 40 Day Fast. This morning a volunteer representative shared an excellent presentation with us during Kairos, and I decided to support Letocia Flavia. She is from Uganda and is 3 years old. My choice of Letocia was influenced be four factors. First, I was interested in supporting a girl because women typically face the greatest disadvantages in developing nations. Second, I wanted to support someone in an AIDS impacted area. Third, Karen from my small group served as a missionary at an AIDS orphanage in Uganda. And fourth, we have a Flavia machine at work, and I am hoping I will be reminded to pray for Letocia at least as often as I make myself a cup of tea.

when passion takes on a purpose
and searching ones embrace the light
when skeptics find themselves down on their knees
you'll know it's here

when you hear a sound as loud as thunder
and you hear a cry that shakes the ground beneath you
when you hear a shout that shatters the darkness
you'll know it's here

when the lost find a name worth believing in
and the fallen get back onto their feet
and the broken start to dream again
and the sound of hope fills these streets
you'll know it's here

revolution
can you feel it
revolution cry
revolution
can you hear it
revolution cry
and I believe it
and I believe it

how long do we have to wait
and how long will we stay silent
will this weeping generation dance again
oh God when will the truth be restored

when the lost find a name worth believing in
and the fallen get back onto their feet
and the broken start to dream again
and the sound of hope fills these streets
you'll know it's here

- Revoluton Cry, Lifehouse

Infield Fly Rule

This may be my most boring post I have ever made, but I had someone ask me about this last Sunday. In case you were losing sleep over it, this is the official Infield Fly Rule:

An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire shall immediately declare “Infield Fly” for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near the baselines, the umpire shall declare “Infield Fly, if Fair.”The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul. If a declared Infield Fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball. If a declared Infield Fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an Infield Fly.

Rule 2.00 (Infield Fly) Comment: On the infield fly rule the umpire is to rule whether the ball could ordinarily have been handled by an infielder—not by some arbitrary limitation such as the grass, or the base lines. The umpire must rule also that a ball is an infield fly, even if handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpire’s judgment, the ball could have been as easily handled by an infielder. The infield fly is in no sense to be considered an appeal play. The umpire’s judgment must govern, and the decision should be made immediately.When an infield fly rule is called, runners may advance at their own risk. If on an infield fly rule, the infielder intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball remains in play despite the provisions of Rule 6.05 (L). The infield fly rule takes precedence.

Is baseball great or what?

Why I Don't Have Cable

So, I was listening to the radio last night and heard about a new show debuting on FX called "4 Oz." It's just your typical story "about a married-dad gynecologist practicing with his father who undergoes a sex-change operation."

Why? Why does this need to be the framework of a television drama?

Garbage in, garbage out.

Struck Again By The Imitation

The Voice of the Beloved.

As I of Mine own will did offer up Myself unto God the Father for your sins, My hands stretched out on the cross, and My body stripped bare, so that nothing remained in Me that was not wholly turned into a sacrifice of divine propitiation; in like manner you ought also to offer yourself willingly unto Me every day in the Mass, as a pure and sacred oblation, with all your powers and affections , unto the utmost strength of your soul.

What do I require of you more, than that you study to resign yourself entirely unto Me? Whatsoever you give besides yourself, I regard not; for I seek not your gift, but you. As it would not suffice you to have all things whatsoever, besides Me; so neither can it please Me, whatsoever you give, if you do not offer yourself. Offer up yourself unto Me, and give yourself wholly for God, and your oblation shall be accepted. Behold, I offered up Myself wholly unto My Father for you; I gave also My whole Body and Blood for your food, that I might be wholly yours, and that you might continue Mine to the end. But if you stand upon yourself, and do not offer yourself freely unto My will, the oblation is not complete, neither will there be entire union between us.

Therefore a free-will oblation of yourself into the hands of God ought to go before all your works, if you desire to obtain liberty and grace. For this is the cause why so few become illuminated and inwardly free, because they know not how to wholly deny themselves.

My sentence stands sure, Unless a man forsake all, he cannot be My disciple. If you therefore desire to be My disciple, offer up yourself unto Me with all your affections.

~ Thomas A Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

Don't Miss The Wonders That Surround You

Saturday was a beautiful day. The weather was as close to perfection as you could get so I sat outside for a fair portion of the day and read. I then had a late lunch with Jake and Rita at 5 Guys, and we went over to Hagley Museum. I had no idea there was so much to see at Hagley. The grounds are beautiful and the history of industry is fascinating. I strongly recommend visiting it if you have not yet done so. $1 Saturdays is an awesome promotion; that may be the best single dollar I have spent all year.

The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

There are some pearls and gems of wisdom on this list.

Can't Sleep

Well, it is now 1:30 AM, and I can't sleep. It is not that I am having more difficulty breathing; I am however worried sick about my condition. (Pardon the pun.)

As I have been contemplating things though, I think it is safe to say this. Even if I get hit by a bus on the way out the door tomorrow, I have enjoyed a great life. As I was lying in bed, I started to think of things "I always wish I had done but never got around to" and, to be honest, I couldn't think of any. The closest thing that just popped into my head is to travel to the U.K. But beyond that, I really have no life-goal type regrets. I have greatly enjoyed the travels I have been able to experience, I am happy that I was able to get my MBA and while mildly interested in another advanced degree I am very content with that. I have the best job ever and am so thankful for the opportunity to be part of Chatham. I have enjoyed some grand adventures with the best friends in the world. Just the day-to-day life I get to enjoy with my friends is something truly special. I love my family, and I think I have always appreciated the times we have spent together. I have been in love and know both how happy that can make you feel and how it can break your heart. And while God knows all of my abundant faults and sins, I have tried to serve and honor Him. I am especially thankful for BVBC, Kairos and my small group and all that has meant to me.

The Tim McGraw song "Live Like You Were Dying" has played through my mind often. While not glitzy or reckless, I really think I have tried to live that way. Or, as Jonathan Edwards would say, "Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live."

Further up and further in.

Health Concerns

Well, tomorrow is my last day on the juice and unfortunately it did not perform as hoped. I was actually back in the ER again Monday night; they did an EKG and chest X-ray which both appeared normal. I had some blood work done today and will be having a CT scan on Monday and pulmonary function test next Thursday. I would deeply appreciate your prayers. Thanks friends.

An Evening Out

On Saturday, part of my small group (and a former groupie) went up a wine-tasting and concert at the vineyard where one of our group members works. Jason walked us through the process that goes into making wine.





No, Joe, you can't help run the forklift.


It was interesting to learn how aging the wine in wood barrels adds to its distinctive flavoring.


The whole process is done by hand, including filling and labeling the bottles.


Until the finished product is complete!



After the tour, we went upstairs for the tasting.

Jesus was there.








Maybe one too many?


There was a funky soul blues band playing from Baltimore.



There was dancing and much rejoicing.

A Prayer of A` Kempis

I recently came across this in my reading of The Imitation of Christ:

Grant me, O Lord, to know that which is worth knowing, to love that which is worth loving, to praise that which pleases You most, to esteem that which to You seems precious, to abhor that which in Your sight is unclean. Suffer me not to judge according to the sight of the outward eyes, not to give sentence according to the hearing of the ears of ignorant men, but with a true judgment to discern between things visible and spiritual, and above all to be ever searching after the good pleasure of Thy will. ~ Thomas A' Kempis

On The Juice

So, my symptoms have not been improving from my aforementioned bleach/allergic reaction. (Though I checked the bottle of bleach and estimate that I used around 3/4 cup to 1 cup in each load; the directions call for 3/4 cup and up to 1 and 1/4 cups for a large wash so at least I feel a little better knowing it wasn't an extreme overdose in that regard.) I called my doctor again today, and he is going to put me on a high octane steroid to try to get things under control. He assured me I still won't be able to catch Barry Bonds; that's okay, I just want to feel well enough to get back to the gym so I can work on those big, beefy arms naturally.

Be Careful With Bleach

You know that commercial that says, "We all do stupid things." Yeah, I can vouch for that. So, it seems that last weekend when I was doing laundry I used way too much bleach (or possibly had an allergic reaction to a new detergent). When I woke up from a nap last Sunday afternoon, I must have inhaled some residual fumes from my sheets and pillows because my throat felt constricted and I was having shortness of breath. After experiencing this for a couple hours (and also coughing just once but vomiting when I did), I called Sandy Knockengost for a professional opinion, and Karl graciously came and took me to the ER. They checked me out and everything appeared fine so they gave me some bendaryl and sent me home, anticipating that things would clear up by the hour and be gone in a day. Well, Tuesday morning I still had the same symptoms. I tried to see my regular doctor, but he was out of town so I saw an (inexperienced) associate. He diagnosed it as just a sore throat (pharyngitis) and told me to gargle with salt water and take cough drops. So Friday rolls around and I am still having trouble breathing so I see my regular doctor. He agrees that it probably was inhalation from the fumes. To my relief he says there is virtually no possibility of this causing permanent damage but that it might be another 3-5 days to clear up. He also gave me an inhaler which I have not used yet. I have felt significantly better the last couple days (I think being outside a few hours for the SOLI prayer meeting Thursday night helped), butI am still not 100% yet. I have definitely gained a healthier respect for the potency of household chemicals as well as an appreciation for those who suffer from asthma. There is perhaps no worse feeling in the world than not being able to breathe. I would greatly appreciate your prayers for a full and speedy recovery.

"I Want A Hypothalamus for Christmas"

Recently at work, we had a team assessment based on the Highlands Ability Battery (or, as we affectionately called it,the Highlands Assault and Battery test.) It was a fascinating exploration and discussion of our individual temperaments and innate abilities and how that manifests itself in our team dynamics. One of the challenges that I have encountered at Chatham that we discussed in the meeting is navigating as a high introvert in what seems to be a predominantly extroverted environment.

As a follow-up to this discussion, one of my co-workers loaned me a book this week entitled The Introvert Advantage, by Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D. With extensive physiological detail (the hypothalamus is the part of the brain that "regulates thirst, temperature and appetite and turns on the Throttle-Down System in introverts") the book explores the nature and behavior of introverts and how to most effectively respond to the world of extroverts. I am finding it to be insightful in new areas and a helpful reminder in others. If the study of personality and temperament intrigues you, I think you will like this book.