Intentional Walk: April 2006

Friday, April 28, 2006

A Message

Having the unenviable task of sitting on a certain committee recently, I learned an amazing thing. Steady yourselves now. This may shock you. Here it is. Ready?

Deep breath.

Not everybody likes my preaching.

Or my teaching. Or my work on the Worship Committee. Or probably, just the thought of me going around talking to people, spreading my liberalistic chatter.

This bugged me for a while as I see no reason in the world that everybody shouldn't love me, want to take me home, make me their best friend and feel sad every moment that they can't be with me. Certainly, if nothing else, the world should respect all of my opinions and celebrate the inspiring and motivational manner in which I communicate them. Right?

Right?

Hello?

Okay, sometimes I have a little trouble getting over myself. As a fellow mathie at my school told me once when I told him he certainly didn't have any problems with self esteem: "Oh, but I do! I have far too much of it!"

So there I was, enmeshed in my study of Isaiah and feeling sorry for myself and for those who didn't fully appreciate me. I was wondering what I was really doing with my teaching. Was I making any difference? Was it worth the hours, the headaches, the time spent away from other pursuits like, y'know, video games?

And God gave me a gift. He put the following scripture right in front of my face.

"The Lord God gave me the ability to teach so that I know what to say to make the weak strong. Every morning he wakes me. He teaches me to listen like a student. The Lord God helps me learn, and I have not turned against him nor stopped following him. I offered my back to those who beat me. I offered my cheeks to those who pulled my beard. I won't hide my face from them when they make fun of me and spit at me. The Lord God helps me, so I will not be ashamed. I will be determined, and I know I will not be disgraced. He shows that I am innocent, and he is close to me. So who can accuse me? If there is someone, let us go to court together. If someone wants to prove I have done wrong, he should come and tell me. Look! It is the Lord God who helps me. So who can prove me guilty?" (Isaiah 50: 4-9, NCV)

I truly do search for the heart of God when I teach. I pray before even thinking of putting a lesson together and I study diligently. I know that what I teach sometimes is off the radar for people, especially Church of Christ people. So I try to communicate difficult things with humility and understanding. I listen to other viewpoints with an open mind and encourage others to do the same. But ultimately, I teach what I believe God wants taught.

So, yes, criticism gets under my skin. But close-mindedness and traditionalism make me want to scream. And, like the prophet said, if those folks want to take me to court, let's go. I'd LOVE to hear what the Judge has to say.

Now, why would I be drawn to that passage? It had nothing to do with the lesson I was teaching. What would make my eyes go to that page? Why would I be reading it out of the New Century Version, the only version that puts the message in terms of "teaching?" I wasn't preaching from the NCV...why was I reading from it? And why would it come along at just the right time?

C'mon. You know why.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Movie Lines

Most of you did this yesterday, so today it's my turn.

GLADIATOR: "My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next."

SPINAL TAP: "This one goes to 11."

RETURN OF THE KING: "Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can't carry it for you... but I can carry you."

CADDYSHACK: (Too many to count...but...if I have to pick...)
"Carl I want you to kill all the gophers on the golf course."
"Correct me if I'm wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers they'll lock me up and throw away the key."
"Not golfers, you great fool. Gophers. The little brown, furry rodents."
"We can do that. We don't even need a reason."

OFFICE SPACE: "I don't like my job, and I'm not gonna go anymore."

RAIDERS: "I don't know, I'm making this up as I go."

BROADCAST NEWS:
"It must be wonderful, being right all the time."
"No, it's awful!"

MONTY PYTHON and the MEANING of LIFE: "Ah, I see you've got the machine that goes 'BING!'"

AIRPLANE:
"What can you make out of this, Johnny?"
"Oh, I can make a hat...or a broach...or a pterodactyl..."

BULL DURHAM: "Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic."

And that barely scratches the surface. Of course, some of you took mine yesterday. I've always been a big fan of "It's night and we're wearing sunglasses." And almost anything from Holy Grail. But this will do for today.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Movie Moments

While my students busy themselves with the "Do Well On This Or The Government Will Take Over Your School" test this morning, I find my mind wandering. I should be using this time to ponder deep spiritual matters or at least to solve the philosophical paradoxes of the universe.

Instead I'm thinking about movies.

I love the movies and, yes, there's no question that my love began in May of 1977 when that giNORMOUS Star Destroyer covered the big screen in pursuit of a poor little Corellian cruiser. But at 12 years old, I really didn't get everything that was happening that day. I just liked the way it looked, loved the characters, and just about flew out of my seat at that one Moment. So instead of making the world a better place this morning, I'm going to list some of my all-time favorite movie moments. Feel free to add yours.

1. WOO HOO!
Yeah, I bought it. When Han said he was going back to Tatooine to pay off Jabba I thought he was gone, a ghost, outta there. So when he came flying out of the sun to knock those Tie Fighters off of Luke's tail, I let out a whoop as loud as his. After that, blowing up the Death Star was incidental.

2. E.T. FLIES
When he took Elliot up into the night sky on Halloween, E.T. created sheer movie magic. But the second time, when he flew the whole gang up over the Grown Ups With Guns (and they DID used to have guns, before they were CG'd into walkie talkies), we all cheered like kids. In fact, I don't think I ever saw that movie in a theater when the audience didn't cheer at that moment. At the Oscars that year, E.T. lost the award for best movie. But I will never forget that all those stoic, hardened, Hollywood-types cheered when they saw that clip just like the rest of us. Hypocrites. "Ghandi???" Humph.

3. HEY, DAD?
I can't even write about the final scene from "Field of Dreams" without tearing up. It didn't help that I'd lost my own father not too long before I saw it for the first time. Or that I love baseball as much as breathing. So when Ray Kinsella asks his dad if he wants to have a catch, well, that's it, I'm done, bring the Kleenex and clear the room.

4. "HELLO...
...My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." And as you sit forward in your chair waiting for what promises to be the high point of "The Princess Bride," perhaps even the greatest swordfight in the history of cinema...Christopher Guest turns around and runs away like a little girl. Love it love it love it.

5. INDY REVEALED
I honestly didn't know what I was in for when I went to see "Raiders of the Lost Ark" the first time. I knew it was Lucas, Spielberg, Ford, and Williams. But, for some reason, I wasn't all that excited. So when Indiana Jones hears the pistol cock, turns and lets the bullwhip fly in one fluid motion, all those months of latent expectation caught up to me in one rush. A bullwhip? Are you kidding me? Oh, this guy is badddddddddddddddddddd. And then he steps forward from the shadows and the ride begins.

There are many more. As I've been thinking about favorite moments, I've realized that a lot of them revolved more around the words than the event. So some other day I'll list a few of my favorite movie lines. I'll probably end up adding to this list too. But first...it's your turn.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Geography

Geography was one of my worst subjects in school. I would always do as much rote memory work as I could and then promptly forget everything when the test was over. I knew all my state capitals...for about 3 days.

Lisa has a degree in the stuff. So, obviously I defer to her in all things geographical. When the Amazing Racers fly to Oman I just look over at her and she begins a description of where it is. Sadly, it's hard for her to find a frame of reference for me as all locations must be relative to California.

We are flying to Georgia next week, which I understand is east of here. Lisa has earned another incentive trip much like the one we enjoyed in Nashville a couple of years ago (which cost us a grand total of $40.00). We will leave Wednesday, the same day my Calculus students take their AP test and there is nothing more I can do for them. Prayers would be nice.

So, ask me anything about math. I'm your guy. But if you have a Geography question, ask Lisa. And if you want to know where Switzerland is, ask Brady. Not CNN.

Monday, April 24, 2006

A Whistling God

In my recent study of Isaiah, nothing has stood out to me more than the image of a whistling God.

He lifts up a banner for the distant nations, he whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Here they come, swiftly and speedily! (Isaiah 5: 26)

The book of Isaiah seems to flip back and forth between doom and restoration, between warning and comfort. Isaiah reminds the Israelites of the Abrahamic covenant over and over. "Yes," he says, "God will be faithful. He will give you the land He promised. You will be a blessing to all nations." But he never lets them up from the Mosaic covenant. "But you have broken God's laws. You have not kept up your end. There will be a time of exile before the restoration can occur."

And what must the Israelites have made of all that whistling?

I love to boogie board with my niece and nephew. We were out in the waves one day when I watched them both snap their heads towards shore and start wading in. I soon realized that their father was there and was calling them in. Though I hadn't heard it, he had whistled to them. I asked my nephew about it later and he asked, "What kind of a whistle do you have for James?"

I don't really have a whistle for James, but he certainly knows my voice. And, like a Shepherd calling His sheep, I can easily imagine a whistling God. But what truly strikes me about the Isaiah passage is that God isn't whistling only for the sheep of Israel. He whistles for "distant nations," for "those at the ends of the earth." Even though they are enemies of Israel in every story I read from the Old Testament, Egypt and Assyria seem to be as important to God as His chosen people. And they seem to know the Shepherd's whistle just as well.

It's taken me time, but I realize now that God loves everybody. John didn't say, "For God so loved His people," or "For God so loved Christians." He said "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, so that WHOEVER believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

He whistles to everyone. Hear it?

Friday, April 21, 2006

Spring Cleaning

Clearing away the cobwebs of my cluttered mind.

Warm weather makes me happy. Warm weather in the Spring makes me happier still. It means that baseball is in season. It means that Summer Vacation approacheth. It means James and I can play outside. It means, above all, that I won't be cold. I hate to be cold.

Henri Nouwen says, "Our desire for God is the desire that should guide all other desires. Spiritual disciplines are not ways to eradicate all our desires but ways to order them so that they can serve one another and together serve God." I want my desire to be for God and God alone. I want to inspire others to grow closer to God through study and prayer.

I think that Shane from Survivor is probably the most objectionable person alive.

Here are some songs that never fail to put me in a good mood: "Have You Ever Loved A Woman (live version from "One More Car, One More Driver") by Eric Clapton..."Presence" by Newsboys..."Homecoming" by Green Day..."Harder to Breathe" by Maroon 5..."Reunion" by Collective Soul.

I love words. I enjoy poetry and certain authors because of their gift for putting words in a pleasing order. I like activities with their own vocabulary too. Math has it. Baseball has it. (A future post needs to be all of my favorite baseball phrases...it's a language all it's own.) Poker has it too. Occasionally Lisa will walk in on a game to hear somebody say something like, "I almost went all in on 4th Street when I filled that gutshot straight, but I knew you'd river the boat." Then she will turn around and walk out.

For the record, Lisa is always invited to play, she just doesn't want to. Some of my favorite poker memories are from gender-equal tables.

My Isaiah study has been interesting, both for what people know about him and for what they don't know. I love the Old Testament for the stories it tells me about my God and the glimpses it gives me of my Savior. Thanks to those who commented. I'm looking forward to Sunday's lesson...and that's not always true.

The Angels need to...stop...making...errors. We lead the majors in errors and unearned runs allowed. That's not how we win.

I love that the elders at College don't do anything without prayer. No decision is made, no meeting is started, no need is addressed without taking it to the Father first. I love that they are as willing to cry together as to laugh together and that they do a lot of both. I love that I have a real friendship with most of them. I love that there are at least 5 men that I could take any problem to, no matter how serious or how personal, and know that my burden would be shared. These guys have some important decisions to make in the next few months and are viewing it as a great opportunity to serve their church and their God. I pray for them daily, usually by name.

I pray for all you bloggers out there too.

My mind is still cluttered but I need a new broom. I'll clean more next week. Have a great weekend.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Isaiah Who?

I am officially inviting all of you bystanders to de-lurk for today's question.

First of all, thanks to all for yesterday's comments. It helps to know I'm not in a vacuum when it comes to wanting deep, meaningful study. We SO take for granted our access to knowing God. On to today's topic.

I'd like as many as are willing to answer these simple questions:

1. Who was Isaiah?
2. What did he do?

There is no limit, no under/over, to your replies. Say as much or as little as you want. Be honest though and, for now, no consulting of books or commentaries. This is "top of your head" stuff. A #2 pencil is required and you can purchase blue books at the university bookstore.

You may begin.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Zeal

Raise your hand if you go to Sunday School.

I taught my first Sunday class as a 19-year-old in the College Age Group. I enjoyed it a lot and was happy to get asked to do it again. I've known I wanted to be a teacher ever since elementary school (no kidding) so it was very natural to teach from the Word at my church.

When I was 22, I taught my first class for adults. My dad sat in the 2nd row. A college professor and theologian of whom I was in some awe sat in the 1st row. It was far and away the most intimidating group I've ever taught. I learned a lot teaching that class.

The years have gone by and I'm now part of an ever-decreasing group of regular teachers at the College Church. I am always honored by the opportunity and humbled that God would ask it of me. There are times when the discussion is lively and enlightening. There are moments when I hear something come out of my mouth that none of my study put there; it is moments like that that continually confirm to me the presence and good health of the Holy Spirit. There are times when it's good just to be together, to share joys and sorrows, even to have a group that I know I can confess something too.

There are also frustrations.

Compare this picture of a recent Bible study in China to your last Sunday School class.

See any differences?

One of the rituals in most classes I teach these days is the "passing out of the Bibles." It reminds me of telling my math students that they should reallllllllly get out there and buy a calculator all their very own. Why, oh why, would you show up to a Bible study...without a BIBLE? Nothing confirms to me more the true reason someone goes to Sunday School than showing up without a textbook. Well, maybe the complaining when somebody forgets to bring donuts. But you get my point.

The picture may be too small for you to see how many people have pencils out. Yes, they are actually (deep breath) taking notes! You can tell how much they want to learn, how hungry they are. I'm not naive enough to think that this attitude persists throughout a Christian walk, but it saddens me to note how much of our enthusiasm for study we have lost, to recognize how much we take for granted.

Oh, to have students with the same zeal as those who are just discovering their Lord.

Monday, April 17, 2006

What I Did For Spring Break

Nothing.

Well, not really nothing, but not very much. Which is exactly what I planned to do.

I studied some. Read a little. Watched lots of baseball. Spent time with family and friends. Golfed once. Got rained out once. Overall, I finished exactly none of the projects I set out to do.

Why is it easier to get things done when we're already doing so many other things? Or is it just me? It's very easy for me to switch off for vacation. I know that's not true for others. But we Thurmans are a sedentary people. We like to sit.

Tomorrow I'll switch back on. I have a little over two weeks until the AP Calculus test. I'm teaching class on Sunday for three more weeks. I'm speaking Sunday (on Isaiah, more to follow). We are administering the CAT6/STAR test over the next two weeks (say it with me, Cecil: "Ugh"). And there are some things around the house that really should get done.

But for one more day...for eight or nine more hours...I think I'll power through one last serious session of sitting around.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Long Distance

Once I finally got to the right SonicBurger, I only had about 15 minutes to spend with an old friend. But it was the best 15 minutes of the day. After all, I'd forgotten what a handsome devil he is.

I've been thinking a little about how technology has eliminated distance. My niece is deciding where to go to college, meaning that she is deciding where to spend the next 4 years or so of her life. And while she would like to stay close to home, the truth is that her cell phone and her computer will keep her in close touch with everyone she loves. We are all just an e-mail, a phone call, or a text message away. Of course, it's not the same as being there, but it's a far cry better than the only option that existed when I was her age, the long-distance phone call.

Blogging has allowed me to renew friendships, and create friendships, with people who are on the other side of the country, even on different continents. But it occurs to me that we have an additional method of eliminating long distances. When I pray, it reminds me that I am in the presence of God at all times. He is there. He is listening. What I often forget is that when I pray for you and when you pray for me, we are tied closer to each other than any distance can separate. Through God, we are in the same place.

Monday, April 10, 2006

Happy and Happier

With apologies to my Disney-lovin' wife, my reasons why Angels Stadium is actually The Happiest Place On Earth:

OPENINGS
Disneyland: Bunched together on Main Street USA waiting to be let in.
Angels: Raising the 2005 pennant after an F-18 flyover during the National Anthem.

CELEBRITIES
Disneyland: People in felt costumes.
Angels: Lisa Tucker from American Idol (I don't watch but not a bad voice on

that 16-year-old), Wally Joyner (my favorite Angel as a younger man threw out the first pitch), and the New York Yankees.

MUSIC
Disneyland: The soundtrack to Toy Story and "It's A Small World".
Angels: "Calling All Angels" by Train.

THE CROWD
Disneyland: Huge and running to get ahead of you in line.
Angels: Seated around you and cheering for the good guys.

BEVERAGES
Disneyland: Coke.
Angels: Pepsi.

FOOD
Disneyland: Churros.
Angels: Panda Express.

EXCITEMENT
Disneyland: The Amazing Sit On The Curb Parade!
Angels: Orlando Cabrera hits a 2-run homer leading the Angels to a 4-1 win over The Evil Empire.

In the interest of saving my marriage, I'm kidding here. Disneyland was a blast. James had an awesome time and we enjoyed watching him experience so many new things. He met so many of his favorite characters, got all their autographs and took pictures with them. He rode Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and The Matterhorn, and he went through the Haunted Mansion twice...all stuff I never would have done as a 5-year-old. After each ride he made sure we knew that he did NOT have a good time. Later, of course, when we asked what he wanted to do, he would say he wanted to go on either Space Mountain or The Haunted Mansion.

For the record, California Adventure isn't all it's cracked up to be. We could have easily spent all three days at the main park. But James did get to meet Mr. and Mrs. Incredible there, so the day wasn't a total loss. We kept up a break-neck pace for all three days and were very glad to see our home Saturday. It was finished while we were gone and looks totally normal now, so we have even more to be grateful for.

Lisa took 390 pictures and I shot over an hour of video...so this week's posts may take a while to download.

A couple of other notes and then I'll put off more thoughts until later. First of all, there were a couple of adorable kids two rows in front of us at church yesterday. They were sitting with the Smith family but were impossible to recognize due to the fact that they were HUGE. Somebody told me later their names were Madison and Reese, but I'm not sure I believe them.

On a sad note, we caught up with a little of our missed TV last night and saw that Dave and Lori, everybody's favorite nerds were eliminated. They played a great game up to the last, but just couldn't get ahead. This past week, Dave participated in a game of kayak polo in Italy, getting in his vessel as Lori belted out, "May the Force be with you, honey!" We'll miss them but will now turn our cheering towards BJ and Tyler, the hippies.

Spring Break this week. It's good to be home.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

The Happiest Place On Earth!

We leave tonight at 6:00 to go to The Happiest Place On Earth: Angels Stadium! We won't actually get there until Friday night because we're going to Disneyland first. But when we do, the Angels will be taking on the Yankees in the home opener. There is an excellent chance that Tim Salmon will be starting that night, playing in his first game in Anaheim since August, 2004. Salmon is a huge fan favorite and the place should go nuts when they announce his name. The Angels got out of the gate with a win last night against Seattle and you know I would just LOVE it if I got to watch them beat up on the Evil Empire.

But first, there's Disneyland!

We're all excited to see James reaction when he walks into the park for the first time. He wants to get autographs, ride all the rides, and even have breakfast with Goofy. I think he's planning on ordering waffles. We have a 3-day pass for Wednesday through Friday, so there's no reason he shouldn't get to do it all!

We plan on getting back to Fresno on Saturday, just in time for my Fantasy Baseball Draft and James' next tee ball game. After Sunday comes Easter Vacation so I will catch up on some sleep then. I doubt if I'll be blogging much until then, for obvious reasons. I'll catch up on that when we get back as well.

And now: To infinity...and beyond!

Monday, April 03, 2006

Shameless Self-Promotion

Hey, I gave an interview!

If nothing else, I knew Cecil would want to see it.

Tee Ball Pictures

Because blogs are the new slide shows:

For a baseball-lovin' daddy, it doesn't get any better than this.

Swiiiiiiiiiing and a miss.

Eye on the ball

What form.

What follow-through.

In baseball terms, this is known as "having a gun."

More later. Today the Angels play at 2:00 PDT and I can't wait. Have a great season, everyone. May all your fly balls be can's o' corn and may all your swings produce line drives to the gap. Play ball!

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Tee Ball!

Yesterday it rained lightly off and on throughout the day. But in the evening the skies opened up and didn't stop until well after I was fast asleep. Everyone assumed that James' first tee ball game would have to wait another week. But this morning broke warm and sunny and the fields were juuuuuust dry enough to play on. So the game was on!

Only 4 of our 7 players showed up and none of them really knew the first thing about what was happening. James and I have played catch a lot and, while he throws the ball pretty well, he can't catch worth beans. He also often forgets to pay attention to where he is throwing the ball so the act pretty much consists of just launching it as far as possible. We have also worked on hitting off a tee a little and when he watches the ball he does just fine. But he forgets from at bat to at bat what he is doing and rarely faces the right direction. His Uncle Richard and I have spent a lot more time actually pitching whiffle balls to him so the tee is relatively unfamiliar. Neither James nor any of the other players on his teams have the first idea about what to do after hitting the ball, so most of the morning was spent shouting, "RUNNNN!!!!!" I have to say though, I think I know now why Barry Bonds spends so much time staring at the Home Runs he has just hit. His steroid-addled brain forgets that he is supposed to actually do something after making contact. Eventually, synapses fire and legs start to move but I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt here and assume that, like James, he just doesn't know what happens next.

The other team, by comparison, was comprised of 35 twelve-year-olds, all with former Major League experience. They formed an impenetrable wall from first to third, fielded everything cleanly, and got each of our kids out at first. Every time. Their first baseman often rolled his eyes and commented loudly, "He doesn't know what he's doing!" Well, no, Mr. All-Star, he doesn't. He's fiiiiiiive. At one point, James was trying to stand on third base and the kid over there wouldn't let him, occupying the entire bag and bopping James in the head with the bill of his cap. Mom? Dad? Anybody? I'm gonna dwarf-toss your boy here if he doesn't knock...it...off!

In fairness, the other team just had more kids, some of whom were a little older and had played before. I shouldn't wreck on them too much, as my big VP's son was on the team and some other friends had their great-granddaughter there too. Both of those youngsters behaved admirably.

James wasn't crazy about it at first. The batting helmet was not a favorite, as it made his head operate like one of those little toy doggies you see in the back of a car. He wasn't happy about having to keep his glove on in the field and he never could figure out that he was supposed to run over to first and try to catch the ball if another fielder got to it before him. He spent the entire second inning asking me for a hug (which he got, of course) and alternated between smiles and tears like a manic-depressive watching Terms of Endearment. But the ultimate verdict was positive and he is already talking about playing again next week.

The coach of the team is a very nice guy named Josh. He is the college pastor of a local church and will actually miss next week's game due to a mission trip to China. The first thing he said to me this morning was, "Hi I'm Josh the co-coach backed out on me yesterday do you know anything about baseball?" I figured I'd get to know the sport a bit before taking over but it looks like I'll be coaching next week in his absence. That's cool. Apparently coaching tee ball is pretty much synonymous with crowd control.

And now, my favorite moment.

As mentioned, running the bases is not a strong part of our game. None of our kids know when to run or where to run or when to stop running. James had no interest in third base at all since he knows, being the son of a mathematician, that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. So it was that he found himself standing on second base when one of his teammates hit a little squibber out to the middle of the diamond. James raced off the bag, made his best play of the day by grabbing the ball up and throwing his teammate out at first, then continued on to home to score a (contested) run.

Okay. So. We've got some work to do. What can I say? The morning started with a prayer, ended with a devotional, and had plenty of smiles in between. In anybody's book, that's a success.

Hit Counters

Intentional Walk