I've been busy...

I really have. So here's some updates and thoughts from the past two weeks...

Dick Cheney is an evil man. I've thought this for a while. But he basically agrees with me now.

We've already been through the bailout of the mortgage industry. That made me sick. We, as American taxpayers, are paying for the greed of others. Now this. American automakers keep killing technology that could cut our dependance on foreign oil and continue refusing to cater to the desires of the majority of their potential customers. I drive a Honda with good reason. Why is it our responsibility to save companies that maybe shouldn't exist anymore anyway? Survival of the fittest in business, right? I know its a complicated issue, but still...

Ann Coulter is talking again. She had her mouth wired shut for a while, and the world was a better place. Now she's running around demanding apologies for the hateful diatribes she delivers on national media outlets. Listen, lady: everyone else has been sworn in using their full name when taking the presidential oath of office. Barack Obama has every right to use his full name. I proudly use all three names that my parents gave me--Barack Hussein Obama should, as well.

And while we're on the subject of Barack, let's talk about something. I know the man is of a mixed ethnic background. I'm fully aware of it. But I can't believe how many people I've heard tell me something to the effect of: "People are making too big a deal over the fact he's black. He's not even really black. His mother is white and we determine our race by our mother." By saying something like that, I feel like people are admitting to their own racist tendencies. His race is a big deal because the majority of the country is still very prejudice--particularly here in the South. And as far as his mixed racial background, let's just put it out there: he's obviously not white. I dare say that if we were to mix him in a crowd of people and have the typical white person from Kentucky go down the line and identify his race, he would be labeled "black." So enough with the bigotry, as Ben would say...

Speaking of such issues, I got to visit the National Civil Rights Museum while I was in Memphis a couple of weekends ago. Brittany and I went down with several friends for the St Jude Memphis Marathon weekend. No, no--I only ran in the 5k. But still, I ran. It was a fantastic weekend. Rendezvous' world famous barbeque and Flying Saurcer and BB King's Blues Club and oh my gosh there was lots of good food. Beale Street was just as much fun as you would think--but, oddly enough, that's about all there is to night life in Memphis. Anyway, after all the races were over on Saturday, we walked down to the Civil Rights Museum. Its partially housed in the Lorraine Motel where Dr Martin Luther King was assassinated. It was interesting and very educational and exceptionally eye-opening. The trip really makes you think about how far we've come and reminds you of how far we have to go. It was certainly worth visiting. Though I was a little disappointed we didn't visit Graceland... Elvis will have to wait.

We lost a tremendous human being on Friday the 12th. Dr Kela Fee finally succumbed to her battle with cancer. She was an amazing lady. After being diagnosed in 2004, she did so much to raise money for cancer research and to give hope to others. She will be sorely missed around Broadway and Bowling Green in general.

I've found a new slice of Sabbath during the week. At Total Fitness' gym on Russellville Rd, they have a super hot tub and steam room. Who knew a gym membership could be so relaxing? I went this afternoon while Brittany was helping Dana paint the Beasley-Brown's new place. I slipped into the hot tub, turned on Ryan Adams' "Heartbreaker," closed my eyes and forgot the world for a little while. Its quite heavenly.

I love my job. I really do. Tonight, Brittany and I went shopping for a family that just moved into the TC Cherry area. The children were in real need of clothes, coats and shoes. Someone at church had handed me a $500 check last weekend to take care of a situation just like this--crazy timing. But Broadway has come so far in the last year. Its a beautiful thing to see a church begin to shift its focus in the right direction. Don't get me wrong, Broadway as an institution still has a long way to go--but at least we're on the right track. Helping develop local service agencies. Mentoring students at a local elementary school. Winterizing the residences of families who couldn't afford to do it otherwise. Providing home furnishings for individuals and families in need... People are beginning to get it. I hear it in the stories they tell. You see it in their eyes when they talk about being in the home of an under-resourced family. All the preconceived notions about "poor" people fade away when you see hungry children or a family without heat in their home or an elderly lady that hasn't had hot water for three years. They know they have to do something. Not try to do something. Not try to convince them of their idealogies. They feel a deep need inside of them to reach out and help another child of God... and it changes them. I love my church. I love the Church. I feel more hope now for the future of our community, state and world than I ever have. Like I said, when a church starts taking steps to follow in the way of Jesus, its a beautiful thing.

The JAWS of Life's former members still haven't picked a new name. Seth, Allen, Collin and I have talked about lots of options, but nothing has emerged as a clear winner. We're on the hunt, though...

Speaking of music, last Thursday night we got to go see Andrew Peterson's "Behold the Lamb of God" at the Ryman in Nashville. It was a great show--really, really great. Andrew Peterson, Andy Gullahorn, Jill Phillips, Gabe Scott, Ben Shive, Randall Goodgame, Andrew Osenga, Bebo Norman... so many great musicians, writers and singers. For me, Andy Gullahorn was tops of the evening. The dude can write a song. Really. I loved the concert.

That's about enough for tonight. More posts soon.

High five.