Thursday, March 27, 2008

Holy Baseball Batman!

How many times have we practiced backing up the play? It paid off on Tuesday as the ball scooted by our Third Baseman on a steal attempt. Our hearts sank in a tight game as the runner made the turn to score. But...our Shortstop was there, backing up the throw and fielding it like a routine grounder, then throwing a laser to the Catcher at home plate for an easy tag out!

I am a fan of my son and how he plays the game. Not so much in success, but more in how fluid and gifted he has become. His attitude on the field and in the dugout is outstanding, regardless of a win or a loss. I am grateful to God to be in his life for this brief moment on earth called fatherhood.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Jesus & His "Good Friday"



Forgive us Jesus, for making Good Friday a holiday and not a "holyday" - for everday is holy b/c of your grace which has and does make us whole again.
(from The Passion of the Christ, with the song Grace Like Rain by Todd Agnew)

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Dream Dinner 4 - Authors & Writers

A table of 10 and my favorite book by each:

* John Grisham (The Testament)
* Peggy Noonan (What I Saw At The Revolution)
* Philip Yancey (The Jesus I Never Knew)
* Max Lucado (Because I Love You)
* Dr. Suess (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)
* Joseph Girzone (Joshua: A Parable For Today)
* Henri Nouwen (Return of the Prodigal Son)
* David Halberstam (The Teammates)
* Jane Leavy (Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy)
* Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. (A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy In The White House)

An Email Exchange With My Boss

I am not to give out Allied shirts unless it comes from you or our Sales Reps on Lotus Notes. Right?

Viola, I have what my therapist calls “severe A.D.D.” in fact, in his 22 years of counseling – I am the worst he has seen in a man (I guess some women have it worse?)

One of the tools I have had to learn (along with daily medication) is to repeat information back to the sender. I have tremendous gaps in my retention and understanding of information. It has really hurt my performance and relationships.

I broke down my pride and went to get help two years ago and was diagnosed then.
Anyway, I tell you this not as an excuse, but an explanation of me sometimes not finishing tasks on time.

I get distracted very easily and have to use tools like written reminders, repeating information, using my calendar (if I remember to look at it – no lie!) Making lists is helpful, but really hard for me to accomplish. In fact, one time I made a nice list of things to be done for the week...I lost the list! Can you believe it?

Enough rambling, thanks for your patience.

Roger Feeback
Marketing Assistant
Flexitallic L.P.
www.flexitallic.com


Hey,
Don’t worry about this. You have been doing an excellent job and I have no problems. We all make mistakes. But, to reiterate, the Allied shirts only go out upon Jim's or my request only. If you receive a Lotus Notes request for a shirt, send out the other ones, not the Allied shirts. If you get a request for the Allied shirts, ask me first.

Thanks,
Viola

Thursday, March 13, 2008

The Fog

Dear God,

The fog has drifted in off the shore…my "paper" is due and I’m not ready…it’s like a dream full of unfinished assignments, late projects, and that horrible feeling of failure and playing catch-up.

The A.D.D. monster has barged in again to attack my mind and body. I just can’t seem to win this war. You have to fight for me Jesus! Fight this battle for me so that I can function at work and home today and tonight - tomorrow will worry about itself.

This is more than neurological and medical, it is spiritual - as everything is spiritual.

Monday, March 10, 2008

An Open Email

Pastor Chris and Pastor Dan (please fwd to Pastor Doug as well),

Sunday, I felt terribly uncomfortable b/c though change basically doesn't bother me, (in fact I need it to thrive and feel alive); I have to make some serious adjustments in my life before God is going to reveal himself more fully. So I wept, no I really lost it - which is not cool for a fool with way too much pride!

The tears were reflections of pain, broken dreams, bruised ego, and signs of a child lost in the mall of life with dad and mom nowhere in sight. I know God expects from me far more than I have given b/c of the gifts, opportunities, education, ordination, blaa-blaa, and yet I have refused to accept the challenge to rise up.

Pastor Dan, thanks for being a man I can follow in this desert experience of vocational displacement. In the words of Bruce Springsteen, "Someday we will look back on this and it will all seem funny" (the song Rosalita circa 1972ish). Maybe not funny as in HA HA - but seeing this time as a fleeting and monumental moment in a life worth living. Dan, I'm gonna miss the crap out of you, especially our meals, talks, and missed appointments!

Pastor Chris, you are hilarious and our kids totally love your preaching which certainly makes it easier to get them to church on Sundays with minimal complaints. I am grateful you have taken an interest in Jon Mark with the whole Germany trip; I pray this will be a life-ruining journey for him (you know the kind of ruin that eats at your heart your whole life - hence you are scarred by God's grace and love). By the way, in two preseason games, he has pitched to 7 batters: 1 walk, 1 foul tip, 6 K's. And yet I told him yesterday that regardless of his wins and losses, I am most proud that he has chosen to go with the mission team to Germany this summer.

Pastor Doug, I have benefited from your encouragement - your words have gone a long way into my life and heart. Also, huge props (a lousy attempt in hip lingo) for creating a worshipping environment that our kids actually enjoy.

Roger


"Fatigue makes cowards of us all." - Vince Lombardi
"It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive." - Bruce Springsteen
"If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated me first." - Jesus of Nazareth

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

iPod Shufle

1. Rushing Wind - Keith Green
2. American Skin (41 Shots) - Bruce Springsteen
3. Into You - Jennifer Knapp
4. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
5. Have You Forgotten? - Darryl Worley
6. Calling Out - Evergreen
7. This Road - Jars of Clay
8. 3 AM - Matchbox 20
9. Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day
10. O Worship the King - Chris Tomlin

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

The Dunk!

Derek Anderson's dunk over Louisville ages ago ranks as one of my favs. I guess b/c I love his game and personality so much that though there have been more spectacular dunks by UK players (Dirk Minnifield, Ron Mercer, Kenny Walker, Azabukie - spelling?, and others); this dunk brought the house down in Louisville!