Time Warp Tuesday --- Three Kinds of People

There are three kinds of people in this world. Those who can count...and those who can't.

I came into my freshman year at Grove City College with great anticipation. I was recruited by the track coach, and the track times I ran in high school were faster than the college records there. I also loved math and did very well at it in high school and was looking forward to (as a math major) to someday being a math teacher and continuing my magic on the side.

Freshman year at GCC everyone had to take physical education. To start out the year all freshman had to take a test to see which skill/fitness level class they would be in. The track coach was also one of the P.E. professors, so of course I wanted to impress him during my test...especially in the running events. So I went all out in the shuttle run, the 50 meter dash, and the vertical jump and did better on these than every other freshman. We also had to do a throw and a few other non-running events in which I did average.

At the end of the test, I was dead tired! We had a little card we carried around with us and marked all our scores. We had to add some stuff up and do some basic division, addition, ect and generated and wrote down a final score. I ended up with a 63, but really had no idea what that meant.

As Physical Education class progressed throughout the semester, it became more and more apparent that I was at a different skill and fitness level than the other guys in my class, and really didn't belong here. My suspicions became valid when my professor asked me if I was sick or something on test day. I said no that I had done pretty well and on some of the tests had the best score out of everyone.

So he went into his records and pulled my card. Basically, on the test, you could score anywhere from 0-400. 0-100 put you in the lowest level class, 101-200 in the next level, etc. So my 63 put me in the lowest level class, but examining my card showed a basic math error that should have made my score a 363. Oh well, at least I got to feel like Rocky Balboa for a semester.

But to add insult to injury, my professor's response was, "Well, hopefully you're not a math major".

Magical Monday --- Among the Stars (Part 1)

When I was a teenager, I met a magician named Andre Kole (pictured above). He traveled the world performing magic shows and proclaiming the Gospel. One of his quotes to me has always been a guiding force during my career in magic. It went like this:

Take your dreams and shoot for the moon...for even if you miss, you'll still be among the stars.

Only a few years after meeting with Andre, I would be following my dream and performing all over the nation. I will always thank God for the opportunity to have those years of meeting my childhood dream - but my dream now is far better and far more important...serving God in any way He wants. Who knows where that dream will take me?!?

But back to the quote...Andre was certainly right --- shooting for the moon would take me among many stars (I am also very thankful that he included the word for in his quote...some of you will get that!). In addition to meeting pretty much every well-known magician over the years, I have also had the privilege to perform on stage with other well-known entertainers, comedians, etc. As I made this post today, it turned out to be way longer than expected, so I am splitting it into two (I guess I got carried away having the past 2-weeks off!). Next week, I will share several of the celebrities I have had the honor of performing with at various events with nationwide.

Family/Friend Friday --- The Big Game

Just a reminder...this will be my last post for the next 2 weeks. I will start up again on Monday, October 20th. Jen and I are taking Amtrak from PA to Florida for her brother Jason and his girlfriend Kerby's wedding. Jen's family rented a big house on the beach (Santa Rosa Beach) close to where the wedding will be held and where we will be staying Thursday to Sunday. We are also using one of our free nights in our travel club to stay an extra night oceanfront at Delray Beach on Sunday night.

One of the best times I've had with Jason was a Steeler game we got tickets to. We headed down to Heintz Field and took our seats in the upper deck. We were playing Jacksonville and it was back in the days of Tommy Maddox at QB. Tommy played absolutely horrible that day with 4 interceptions in regulation, but the Steeler DEF was awesome and kept us in the game.

The score was tied as the 4th quarter was ending, and Jason said, "This thing is going to go into overtime and I REALLY have to go to the bathroom". So as the clock hit 0:00, I suggested he hurry up and go because they would have to take a comercial break, do another coin toss, etc. So we left our seats and I was standing along the railing watching while Jason was in the bathroom. Several people had the same idea as Jason, so he had to wait in line. The break was over...still no Jason, the coin toss was over...still no Jason, overtime started with JAX kicking to PIT...still no Jason.

As Hank Poteat of the Steeler hauled in the kick he ran to the 10, the 20, the 30, the 40, across mid-field, to the 40, and tackled about the 35 yard line. As this is playing out, the crowd is getting louder and louder with each yard that is returned. By the time he was tackled, the stadium had erupted! As I was standing there I hear someone yelling, "Hey Mike, what happened, WHAT HAPPENED?!?" I turned around to see Jason in an all-out sprint, his zipper still down and his pants still unbuckled...more concerned with what all the cheers were about than the fact that his drawers weren't on. Unfortunatly the very next play, Maddox threw interception #5 that was returned for a Jacksonville TD (Jason should have just stayed in the bathroom!).

So as Jason and Kerby look back at all the things they should be thankful for on their wedding day, I have one for them to add to their list --- that Jason doesn't have an indecent exposure charge in his history.

Theological Thursday --- The Me Church (Part 2)

When evaluating a church, priorities should be broken down into 3 categories:

1) Absolutes - These are the things that there should be no give and take on and are completely necessary in a church (Divinity of Christ, Authority of Scripture, Trinity, etc).

2) Convictions - These are the things that help guide people in selecting a church that are not 100% clear in Scripture but may create a personal conviction of right and wrong (How often to have communion, How to Baptize, Having a glass of wine with dinner, etc).

3) Preferences - These are the things that people like in a church but are not necessary (Drums in worship, Version of the Bible, Time of Service, etc).

The easiest way to turn a church into a "Me Church" (a church that is all about you and others rather than God) is to make your personal convictions absolutes --- and unfortunately many people today are even turning their preferences into absolutes. Phrases like, "You have to sing hymns", "You have to use the King James", "The Service runs too long", etc are permeating the church. The mindset of the church should be coming to serve the King, not coming so I can be served.

So admonish, teach, train, etc those who focus on personal preferences. It's not all about you...it's all about Him! Above all else make sure His name is glorified. And if that doesn't work...you may want to attempt to direct them to this church...

What's Up Wednesday --- October 1st

1) Next week Jen's brother (Jason) is getting married in Florida. We will be taking a train from Altoona PA, to Jacksonville, FL (24 hour trip) next Wednesday and won't return until the following Wednesday. So I will also be taking a 2-week vacation from blogging starting on Monday. Since it is Jason's big week...I'll share something about him on Family/Friend Friday this week.
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2) Since it is looking more and more like Jen and I will be leaving Ashland soon, we are doing a shift of leadership for our class at the church (All-4-1). Tonight I will be meeting with a potential new leader for the class along with one of the pastors. We are hoping for a change to take place by November 1st.
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3) Also tonight I have elder's meeting in which we will be looking at and hopefully approving next year's budget (which may include a part-time pastor position) as well as finishing our discussion on the book Trusting God.
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4) Finishing up a busy night will be an attempted trip to the detention home to visit a girl named Courtney. She has been abandoned by her mom and is there waiting for a foster family to take her in and never gets any visitors during visiting hours. To be allowed to have a 1-to-1 visit, you have to have parent/guardian permission which is obviously an issue since she doesn't have anyone. They have been trying to get permission for us from the mom but she is not returning calls...so hopefully we can get in to visit with her tonight!
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5) We also got to see the new Fireproof movie over the weekend. Great movie! Go see it if you get the chance.