needing mercy, showing mercy

I recently had an interesting conversation with someone from my church. Before I had said much more than "Hi," he put up a defensive wall. As I laid the foundation for what I would ask him, he argued with me. When I asked him for his help, he turned me down.

Near the beginning of that conversation, I found myself also defending my statements. But rather than continue to argue (my typical response), I picked up on the fact that something else was going on with this person and I changed my tactics to simply being nice and allowing for future conversations.

Something else was going on. I still don't know what. But I have realized that Mr. X does not oppose me or the work we are doing. Satan does oppose me and the work we're doing.

We must resist Satan with full force. We must also be gracious and show mercy to each other with full force. It's what Christ modeled for us (no one ever before of since or into eternity has or will show mercy with as much force as He did at the cross). It's what I need.

first day of first grade

The start of school is a magical time.

Children, who have been conditioned for three months to do whatever they want to do, are being returned to a disciplined academic environment.

Kcrazorback daughter, who really loves school, is not happy about this at all. Her classmates are not happy about this at all. Her mother and I are thrilled.

This morning, as I dropped her off at school, we yelled at the poor kindergarten parents (they're the ones holding up the dropoff traffic) to get a move on, "turn your car already."

I've realized that the 1st graders have a BMOC factor. They were in the school last year for kindergarten. They know their way around. They know each other and the teachers (for the most part). They are bigger than a whole bunch of the new students in the school. They know what not to eat in the cafeteria. They're savvy. They're a little suprised by the lack of play centers in the classroom (compared to K-garten) but they know a boatload of potty jokes and can discuss what's going on with the big-kid Disney TV. They are in their element.

From the 1st day: "All we did was go over the rules and color some sheets." Yeah, somehow, I think you're holding something back from dear old dad. Perhaps, they know what not to tell Mom and Dad about as well.

still clunking--no cash

Mrs. kcrazorback drives a clunker. It would have been eligible for the $4,500 rebate. And it is not worth $4,500 on the market. But, alas, it's worth that much to us. We were seriously tempted, however, to trade that sucker in earlier this week.

We already had one economical non-clunker. But I like having one clunker, too. It's not "green" but it fits our lifestyle really well.

In the words of Lacie (a family friend and 5 year old), don't get all up in my business.

update on 10s

I told you in this earlier post about the new models I picked up over the holidays. Here's a quick update on the 10s.

The 10s was a low price (I paid $7.99) basic scientific that I was very excited about. I'm not so excited any more. In spite of the fact that it's only a few months old, many of the LCD segments don't work. I'm ready to dismantle/destroy this one. Unfortunately, sometimes you don't even get what you pay for when what you pay is not very much.

Upon further review, I guess I should stick with the more expensive calculators. Say no to the 10s.

I have no complaints about the 35s I got at the same time.

they make me feel young

As I've gotten older, I'm noticing it more. Example: my arm aches quite a bit of the time. In fact, I described it to my doctor as it felt like what I imagine it would feel like if I'd pitched a Major League Baseball game the day before.

Jamie Moyer did pitch a MLB game yesterday. In fact, he won. Something he's done ten times this season--and six of his last seven starts have been wins. Moyer has 92 wins since he turned 40. He is now 46.

Tim Wakefield is my age (well, 2 1/2 months younger--he's 42). He is 11-3 this year and was an American League All Star.

Way to go old guys.

layoffs hurt families, some advice for all of us

Praise God that I've survived several layoffs at my workplace. I'm not immune. But, my cubicle is now adjacent to others where good friends (co-workers) used to sit every day. Other friends from church or whereever have also lost their jobs.

The KC job market is slightly more resilient than other places in the country. So, some of those folks have gotten other jobs already. However, it is a struggle for most.

In the end, it seems that most all of my friends will be fine. However, their families are hurting. Also, the families of those who have not been laid off are hurting as well.

While not equating the difficulties associated with losing your job with the difficulties associated with remaining behind, I am saying their is a cost for all of us.

Our families struggle with the additional time that we're putting in at work now. They have emotional distress due to the fact that, potentially, it could happen to us as well. While that was always true, now it is in the forefront of our minds. They also struggle with a greatly increased difficulty in making day-to-day decisions about spending or summer camp tuition or...

What we have to remember: God reigns supreme. In times of plenty, God reigns supreme. In times of want, God reigns supreme. Trust Him.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 (New Living Translation)

14 Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.

It's not that God wants you to have hard times. No. God wants you--irrespective of whether times are hard or not. In prosperity, choose God. In hard times, choose God. Regardless, choose God.

back blogging again

I'd like to be the first to welcome me back. OK, so I'm going to resume blogging now. I'd like to ask both of you to forgive me--I kind of got too busy at work the last few months to blog frequently. Still busy, but I'll try to fit in blogging.

The College World Series starts tomorrow in Omaha, NE. The first game is at 1:00 CDT and features the University of Arkansas Razorbacks and the Cal St-Fullerton Titans.

Go HOGS! Bring home a championship.

I noticed the other day that the Kansas City Royals have drafted the Arkansas 2nd baseman and shortstop. Just a dream here, but if they can develop those guys together, who knows, sosmeday you may see an all Hog double play in The K.

Interesting note: The current major leaguer that is probably the best Hog in the bigs is Cleveland Indians pitcher and Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee.

OK, so, watch the CWS on ESPN. Root for the Hogs. Good things will happen. Now, how can I convince Susan to let me go to Omaha for a few days?