I'm not sure what it is about markers. I'm mean I guess I could understand it if they were the berry scented kind or something, but they're not. Whatever it is, Sam loves them. And I don't mean drawing with them, I mean eating them. Here's a photo after a little afternoon snack. Kids are such messy eaters.
I want to say thanks to all of you who have been praying for me and our situation. The past few weeks have been difficult. I guess it is never easy when God is working to crucify your flesh and bring about sanctification. That's really what this has been about. Without a doubt, God placed these struggles in my path to transform me, even though I seemed to fight most of the way. It has been my prayer that God alone would become my comfort and my strength. (Psalm 62:2) Though I am certain there is work left to be done, God has begun a good work in me that He will carry on to completion.
Today I met with Dr. Wright, a physician with Sports Orthopedics and Spine. As you know, I was concerned that my situation at the hospital would jeopardize any hopes to work for them. After he shared their interest in having me come to work, I told him about my situation at Jackson General. He couldn't have been LESS concerned about it. To him, it was a non-issue and they still plan to offer me a contract on Monday. In other words, I WILL have a job. I am certainly thankful. God is continuing to provide for our family, just has He has done over the past two years when I wondered how we would make it.
With that said, continue to pray for me. I do not want the improvement in my circumstances to cause me to find comfort in them . It is still my prayer that God alone will be my comfort and my strength.
Thanks again,
Dave
Over the past 10 days my bondage to fear is being released. There are still moments of anxiety, wondering if and when I will get a job, but they are fewer and further between. Some of it has been because I realize the situation may not be as grim as I originally thought. Some has been because I am learning to trust God more and more. I wish I could say that was my entire reason for feeling better these days.
I do believe God is in contol. And whether or not I am offered a job today when meeting with Dr Wright, things will be alright-more than alright, just as God intends which is the perfect plan.
Father calm my heart and mind this morning. Help me to put all my trust in you and none in my circumstances
Psalm 62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
Below is an article from Desiring God. I think it is an amazing analogy. How often do we flip quarters at God or ignore Him altogether?:
The Washington Post conducted an experiment to see if beauty could be recognized through the mundane malaise of day-to-day life. They arranged for Joshua Bell, a preeminent violinist, to play incognito in a busy corridor in D.C. one morning--a free concert from a musician who plays a $3.5 million instrument. He had his case open for donations and played the best music most of the workaday passers-by had probably ever heard. To what effect? Virtually none.
The article asks those who come into contact with street musicians: "Do you hurry past with a blend of guilt and irritation, aware of your cupidity but annoyed by the unbidden demand on your time and your wallet? ... Do you have time for beauty? Shouldn't you? What's the moral mathematics of the moment?"
Is it immoral to ignore beauty?
I couldn't help but read it as a parable:
As it happens, exactly one person recognized Bell, and she didn't arrive until near the very end. For Stacy Furukawa, a demographer at the Commerce Department, there was no doubt. She doesn't know much about classical music, but she had been in the audience three weeks earlier, at Bell's free concert at the Library of Congress. And here he was, the international virtuoso, sawing away, begging for money. She had no idea what the heck was going on, but whatever it was, she wasn't about to miss it.
Furukawa positioned herself 10 feet away from Bell, front row, center. She had a huge grin on her face. The grin, and Furukawa, remained planted in that spot until the end.
"It was the most astonishing thing I've ever seen in Washington," Furukawa says. "Joshua Bell was standing there playing at rush hour, and people were not stopping, and not even looking, and some were flipping quarters at him! Quarters! I wouldn't do that to anybody. I was thinking, Omigosh, what kind of a city do I live in that this could happen?" (my emphasis)
She was appalled that anyone would have either the naivete or the gall to condescendingly flip a quarter at one of the world's greatest musicians. She was shocked that something as astoundingly beautiful was so easily disregarded.
Visit Hot Coffee... for the beginning of the discussion:
Good point. I think it vital to demonstrate the gap between our righteousness (in the flesh) and that of our creator God. God is our measuring stick and we must attempt to understand His holiness to see how we fall short. However to complete the picture, we must understand the depth of our depravity to comprehend the grace of God. And I think this is where most people struggle.
As we discussed this morning, many think they are self sufficient. And even though they would not dare say it, many Christians will even believe they are somewhat responsible for their own salvation. (I chose to believe and my neighbor did not, therefore I am to be credited for something). This leads to the pius attitude that can be found in many churches who would rather condemn "sinners" (as if they are not included in that category) than to love them with the gospel.
When we come to understand that depravity is total, we see that all men have an utter dependence on God to obtain the righteousness we need to be in His presence.
Let me pose another question: What would most people say they are being saved from?
This came to me while blowing bubbles with Zach today. What if bubbles don't really pop, but are actually transported into another dimension when they disappear.
I thought I would share with you my journal entry from today. Here it goes:
"For the past couple of weeks I hvae been struck with fear and struggling to break free. I have never felt a bondage to fear like this before. At times, I have even doubted the existence of God. The fear comes from a lack of faith that God will provide. But, how can I be so blind."
"I reflected on my past entries today. I was struck by my works on Feb. 1st, 2005. I remember how it felt to wonder how God could provide in such circumstances. But He has and is!"
"Right now God is cutting away my flesh, my self-sufficency. It is painful, very painful. But I shouldn't focus on 'what if' , but on 'what is'. God is soverign, He is gracious, He is loving, He keeps His promises, and He promises to work out all things for my good if I love Him."
"Father help me to be thankful for this time. Remove my fear and replace it with trust, but continue to cut away my flesh until none is left. Have me continue in Your strength and not my own."
Happy Easter everyone. The tomb is empty and Jesus is alive! Below is something I obtained from John Piper.
Five Lines of Evidence That Jesus Rose From the Dead
The testimony of the apostle Paul. We have 13 letters from his pen. He was a contemporary of Jesus. He claimed to see the risen Christ. He spoke of others that he knew who saw him alive after his crucifixion, even 500 at once, many of whom were still alive when Paul was writing (1 Corinthians 15:5). This gives to Paul’s writings what is called “historical control,” which means that there is good reason to take seriously what he says because there were so many people around who could easily falsify his claims if they were not true.
The empty tomb in Jerusalem where Jesus had been buried. This is relevant because the claim that Jesus was raised from the dead spread in a city that was hostile to that claim and would have done anything it could to squelch it if they could. The one thing they could have done was to produce the dead body of Jesus, but they could not (Acts 5:30-33).
The courage of the disciples of Jesus and their willingness to lay down their lives to preach that Jesus was raised from the dead just weeks after they abandoned him out of fear and thought that they had been badly mistaken about his Messiahship (Luke 24:21). What had changed them from fearful to courageous so suddenly? And do men really risk their lives for what they know to be a fraud?
The diverse testimony of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, James, and the writer to the Hebrews. Here you need to get to know these men as witnesses, and see if they are credible. Give them a hearing and see if they do not win you over, and prove themselves to be more worthy of your confidence than the skeptics of our day.
The ring of truth in the biblical vision of the world. Does not this whole story of God and creation and sin and Christ and salvation help make more sense out of more things in this world from beginning to end than any other vision of reality?
Five lines of evidence. I hope that you will pursue them. Your eternal life hangs on what you conclude from these.
Last night we decided to take the kids to a Diamond Jaxx ballgame. It was the first game at the park this season; an exibition between the Memphis Redbirds (AAA Cardinals) and our hometown Jaxx (AA Mariners). As soon as we walked into the stadium I saw a look of amazement in Zach's eyes. He was soaking it all in. He headed straight down the stairs toward the field and plopped himself in the front row by the Redbirds dugout. I was so happy to see my boy excited about baseball.
After sitting there a few minutes I was finally able to get him to walk to our fifth row seats behind the Jaxx dugout (good seats aren't hard to come by). Then about 3 pitches into the game, Zach decided he had enough baseball. So Angie took him to buy a Chicago Dog (Angie highly recommends) and a pretzel. I kept watch over Sam, who also wanted to do nothing but walk. I think he covered every square inch of the park before the night was over...along with the rest of the family.
When Angie got back with Zach, he sat still long enough to take a couple of bites of the pretzel. Zach wanted to go for a walk. He and I walked all over the park and out into the berm, while Angie continued to make the rounds with Sam. While out in the berm, Zach discovered the caterpillars, which he took much more interest in than the ballgame. We followed the line of them until we had gone as far inside the walls of the park as we could go. Finally I convinced Zach we should head back toward our seats.
We we returned, Sam was tired and Zach still didn't have much interest in the game. We decided to hang it up in the fifth inning and head home. Although we didn't see more than a few pitches, we all had a good time.
One day this past week Zach decided he wanted to make chocolate donuts for breakfast. He sat down at the table and asked Angie for a pot and an egg. She didn't mind, and we have lots of eggs thanks to WIC. So she handed Zach the first egg. Apparently Zach's recipie called for more so he asked for another egg, and another, and another. I think there were a total of five in the end. Four in the bowl and one in the floor.
The next thing on the ingredient list was Cheerios. Zach was convinced that the Cheerios would some how grow exponentially and become donuts. So he added them to the bowl along with milk, chocolate powder, and a saltine cracker-yum. After vigiorously stirring for a couple minutes Zach was ready to cook the mixture on the stove. Zach was still sure that he would be having chocolate donuts for breakfast.
I talked Zach into putting the "donut mixture" into the oven and go play. While Angie occupied him, I ran to Highland Park and bought two chocolate covered donuts (one for Zach and one for me). Then I pulled the TV chef switcharoo and replaced the "mixture" with two chocolate donuts.
We called Zach back into the kitchen, telling him the donuts were ready. We opened the oven and showed him the chocolate donuts he "cooked". We expected him to be very surprised that there were acutally real donuts. But instead he said, "I did it. I made the right recepie.". He didn't seemed surprised at all. Instead there was a smile and look of accomplishment. He believed all along that he was making real donuts, so why be surprised.
Dave
Sorry to all my loyal blogger fans. The three of you have been very patient. I have not been very diligent in my blogging effots over the past couple of weeks. I promise to try and do much better in the coming days, God willing.
I have been sidetracked with my efforts to complete my final clinical rotation (done!), find a job (still not done, but working on it) and prepare for my boards (doing, but will never be done-until the boards come May 14th). It seems God has allowed me to be under a great deal of stress during this time. More than I can remember being under in a long, long time. And the fun isn't over yet.
I have been challenged to trust God more over these weeks than I have in quite a while. To be honest, I have been failing miserably. There have been times that I have made myself sick with worry, nearly to the point of throwing up. So you may be wondering, "Dave, what is going on that has got you so upset." Well, I will sum it up in this-a lack of trust in God to provide for my family. I have allowed my circumstances beyond my control to master my emotions. Unlike Paul, I have not learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am (or fear I may be).
I came across Philippians 4:4-20. It has been an encouragement today to trust in God who will supply my peace. I have even been challenged to thank God for these trials (still working on that, but getting there). I have also realized that it is not me who supplies the faith to trust God, but God Himself. All I need to do is ask.
Pray that I will trust God to meet our needs. Pray that He will indeed supply all our needs just as He promises. And pray that God will be glorified by these trials and produce in me the result He desires.
Dave
Angie has done a great job keeping a calandar with all the kids milestones and funny things they have done. I thought you guys would enjoy a post of some of the things Zach has said and done in the last few months. That kid comes up with some winners, here are a few:
1. After hopping in the shower with me "I've got my bootie on and my clothes off."
2. I like milk. Milk is smart.
3. When watching Angie feed Sam "You're a good feeder momma"
4. After Angie dropped some paint. "I'm sorry for your mistake momma."
5. While trying to unzip his jacket "Cooperate, PLEASE!"
6. After falling in the pot "Don't flush me 'cause I'm too big."
7. When bringing in Christmas presents "Is it Jesus time?"
8. After throwing up "That vomit is crazy."
9. Mama why is my clothes all getting too little
10. After diarrhea "There is poop slobber on the potty seat."
11. After seeing Braden baptized "Will you pray to Jesus so you can ask Him to come in my tummy so I can be bathtized."
12. When asking him what Marcie's name was "EVIL"
What a funny kid. I'll keep you updated. There is always more.
In the past few blogs I mentioned some of the struggles Christians have which make us more like the "Mediocre Samaritan" than the "Good Samaritan". It is key that we understand what is holding us back from doing the things God commands. I thought we could try to look into the life of the Mediocre Samaratin to find out what could be holding him back. Likely we are struggling with the same things.
I think the Mediocre Samaritan, let's call him Sam for short, might be struggling with understanding what the command means or how to live it out (love your neighbor as yourself). Compassion ministry is not always easy to put into practice. Sam could easily be questioning how much of of his time and resources he should give?
I mean, how much free time and should we have? Should I ever take a beach vacation while others are without a place to live? Should I ever spend money on unnecessary things (pez dispensers, eating at Outback, unleavened bread, etc.) while other people are going hungry? Where do we draw the line? Is there a line to be drawn?
Fear can also play a part. Sam could be afraid that he is being taken advantage of by the guy lying on the road. I mean what if he got himself into this mess? Maybe he was afraid he wouldn't know how to comfort him. He isn't particularly good at that kind of thing. Maybe he was afraid that he could get hurt by the same group that left this guy for dead.
It can be scary to step out of our comfort zone. Most middle class white folk don't feel comfortable going into poor black communities to minister. We also have the thought people could be out to take advantage of us. We are skeptical, fearful that we won't do the right thing.
Selfishness prohibits most of us from compassion. Sam could easily have had somewhere else to be. Commitments he needed to keep. This guy would slow him down, then once he was better this guy would want to be his pal. That's all Sam needed. One more shmuck to keep up with who would likely need or want something else later down the road.
We are reluctant to give up our free time. Who wants to be helping the elderly lady with yard work when you could be playing disk golf (sorry Ronnie)? Why would I want to give money to the family at church trying to adopt when I need that money to buy new clothes? I don't want to invite that family over for dinner, they are "different" and it would be awkward.
Apathy. Maybe Sam just didn't want to think about it or think it was necessary. The problem is too big and besides he serves in the children's ministry. Compassion is not for him.
What other ways may be holding you back?
In my last blog, I began the argument that compassion is not optional. Although, I doubt that many of you would have argued with me on that point, I think we fail to live it out to the extent which we are called. Christians don't have a stellar reputation for loving their neighbor.
You may say that you love your neighbor and likely you do to a degree. But I think we don't truly understand the meaning of compassion. If we did, we would see that we fall well short of the mark. There is much to learn if we want to overwhelm our communities with compassion like the early church.
So, it's not necessarily a lack of desire to follow the command of Jesus, but a lack of understanding the command. I hope to share with you what I am learning about the meaning of compassion. Check back.
I recently read a good definition for compassion ministry: " To be witnesses of the gospel by opening our hearts to the suffering of another person coupled with the desire and action to relieve it." So who's job is it to do compassion ministry?
Is it ok to say that compassion ministry is not for me? I mean, after, all I'm not cut out for that sort of thing. It just doesn't come NATURAL. Aren't there special roles in the church for those with the gifts and talent for them? It's obvious that not all people are cut out to be worship leaders (just watch American idol). Not all of us have been given the gift of teaching/preaching. So can compassion ministry be delegated to those with the gift and heart for it?
Keller says in his book, Ministries of Mercy, "Mercy to the full range of human needs is such an essential mark of being a Christian that it can be used as a test of true faith. Mercy is not optional or an addition to being a Christian. Rather, a life poured out in deeds of mercy is the inevitable sign of true faith."
I happen to agree with Timothy Keller. Mercy/compassion is not optional for Christians. It's not a role for SOME in the church, but ALL in the church. We are ALL commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves. It may be difficult to do, and it's ok to say that compassion doesn't come naturally...it comes supernaturally. All Christians are being transformed and sanctified through the power that God provides.
The poor and needy are a test; a test I often fail. If you are like me and fail in this area ( I think we all do), pray earnestly that God would give you the ability to love your neighbor. Only by God's strength can we do what He has called us to do.
This is a clip from a full length movie on Pez collectors. What's sad is that I know what they are talking about.
Dave
I've been reading a book entitled "Ministries of Mercy" by Presbyterian pastor Timothy Keller. I haven't been able to put it down, which is unusual for me. I have this bad habit of "reading" 5 or 6 books at a time. I'll get through the first couple chapters of a book and then find another one that catches my attention. I'll read a couple of chapters from that book and then find another, and so on, and so on. The cycle continues until I finally get back to the original book. By the time that happens, it has been so long, I have to start back at the beginning of the book.
Dr. Keller covers why we are called to be merciful, what mercy should look like, who we should show mercy to, and why we should be motivated to do it. It is challenging and practical. I think it is an excellent resource for all Christians, especially those who want to be involved in mercy ministry. Soon I'll be sharing my insights, but right now I got to get back to the book.
Dave
Now dear Christians, you pray night and day to be branches of the true vine, made over in the image of Christ. If so, you must be like Him in giving. Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor.
Objection: But my money is my own. Answer: Could Christ not have said, “My blood, body, and life are My own” and then where would you have been.
Objection: The poor are undeserving. Answer: Christ might have said “I will only give to the deserving.”
Objection: If I give charity to the poor, they might abuse it!” Answer: Christ might have said the same but with far greater truth. He knew many would trample His blood and make His grace an excuse for sinning more, but still He gave His own blood.
My dear Christian, if you would be like Christ, give much, give often and freely to the vile and the poor, the thankless and the undeserving. Christ is glorious and happy, and so will you be. It is not your money He wants, but your happiness
-Robert Murray M'Cheyne
I'll share my thoughts on this and other things in the coming days.
Some thoughts from a Scottish theologian... More to come.
"I fear there are some Christians among us to whom Christ cannot say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Your haughty dwellings arise among thousands who have scarcely fire to warm themselves at and have but little clothing to keep out the biting frost. You heave a sigh perhaps at a distance, but you do not visit them.
My dear friend, I am concerned for the poor, but much more for you. I don’t know what Christ will say to you on the great day. You seem to be Christians, yet you don’t care for His poor. What a change will pass upon you as you enter the gates of heaven. You will be saved but that will be all. There will be no abundant entrance for you. He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly.
And I fear that there may be many hearing me who know that they are not Christians because they do not love to give. To give largely and liberally requires a new heart. An old heart would rather part with its lifeblood than its money. So friends, enjoy your money, make the most of it, for you will be paupers throughout eternity."
-Robert Murray M'Cheyne
Well, it is finally nearing an end, at least in the Roberts' home. For over a week our family and friends have been passing around and stuggling through a horendous stomach virus. In the Roberts' home, it started with Zach "spitting" on Friday night, all night. Then he decided he would share it with his mother. Angie fortunately has the stomach of steel, so she neither "spit" nor had diarrhea, she just had a significant upset stomach and loss of appetite.
On Sunday night we thought everyone was starting to feel a little better. We were getting ready to settle everyone into bed and get some rest when Angie yelled out "He's throwing up." I thought she meant Zach, but no, it was Sam. The virus lived on and another sleepless night was on the way. I stayed home on Monday to tend to Angie and the kids.
Tuesday came and I continued to feel well. I felt confident that I had avoided the plaque. Angie wasn't so convinced. She was concerned I was going to catch this monster and end up in the ER as I had a couple times before. (I tend to get violently sick when stomach bugs hit). I drove to Paris to begin my day in the OR. Angie asked her mom to come and help with the kids so she could catch up on rest (found out this morning she is sick).
Around 2:30, while I was scrubed into a case, I began to feel faint and nauseated. After taking some jabs about being the student who's going to pass out in surgery, I stepped out and found the nearest bathroom. I'll spare you the details.Anyway I drove myself home and remained in bed until 11:00 the next morning. I took Phenergan, Immodium, and Tylenol every chance I could.
By Wednesday, I felt much better but still didn't have much of an appetite. Angie and the kids were doing fairly well. Then came Friday night. We thought it was over, then it reared it's ugly head once more. While driving home from the Bustrum's, Sam yacks all over himself while in his carseat. Fortunatly that was the one and only time for the evening.
Now it's Saturday. All is well...so far.
Today I want to share with you ONE way you can get involved. It only takes ONE minute of your time. And it won't cost you ONE dollar.
The ONE Campaign is an effort by Americans to rally Americans – one by one – to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. ONE is students and ministers, punk rockers, stay at home moms and Salt group members, Americans of all beliefs and every walk of life, united to help make poverty history.
The ONE Campaign derives its name from the belief that allocating an additional one percent of the U.S. budget toward providing basic needs like health, education, clean water and food would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the world's poorest countries. They also call for debt cancellation, trade reform and anti–corruption measures in a comprehensive package to help Africa and the poorest nations beat AIDS and extreme poverty.
The goal of ending poverty may seem lofty, but it is within our reach if we take action together as one. You can start now by joining the ONE Campaign and pledging your voice to the fight against extreme poverty and global AIDS.
Join the ONE Campaign. Then spread the word. If you do sign up, leave a comment encouraging others to do the same.
A couple of short months ago I became aware, God made me aware, of a lack of compassion for others in my life. Not to say that I didn't or don't care about those close to me (although I could do better). But those outside of my circle who were suffering didn't even enter my thoughts.
I can make excuses about the guy sitting on the corner with the cardboard sign like, "He just wants money for a drink" or "Why doesn't he get a job". And for those suffering around the world, "I can't make a difference" or to be quite honest, it just doesn't seem real. They're too far away and the problems and suffering in the 3rd world just don't register with my westernized brain.
I happened to stumble upon a couple of videos on iTunes done by NBC news' Brian Williams . One was about the crisis in Darfur, the other with Bono in Africa. I had seen videos like these before, but they had never quite stirred things within me like this.
God was making it clear that I was ignoring a huge part of my call to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel. I am commanded to consider others better than myself and not look out for my own interests but also the interests of others. In other words Dave, quit being so selfish.
Over the next several days, weeks, or how ever long I do this blog thing, I will share my thoughts as I go on this journey to learn what it means to be compassionate. Hopefully it will start a dialogue and you can help me figure some things out.
Ok, you guys know I love John Piper. I was searching You Tube for Piper videos to watch and came across this. I thought you might enjoy it so I decided to post it here. I got a good laugh and thought you might too.
There is a shorter version without the Piper interview on You Tube, but I thought it was good to show this one since the guy shows it was done in good fun and not out of disrespect. And I like what Piper has to say about it. We are bad. Thanks be to our Savior Jesus Christ!
If your not familiar with John Piper, check out his teaching at www.desiringgod.org or click the link to the right.
Dave
You may be wondering about my screen name and name of my web address (Zeppie) or maybe not. But I thought I would share it with you any way. So here it goes.
As you may know from personal experience, coming up with a screen name is usually a challenge. There is always more than one cardsfan or droberts or any other countless combinations that you try to think of. So one day when trying to come up with a screen name for Ebay, or something of the sort, I began to run out of options.
It just so happened that I was a collector of Pez dispensers. That's right Pez . You know, the candy dispensers with the character heads. That for another blog, another day. So, I tried to think of several combinations that included Pez and finally stumbled upon Zeppie. Pez spelled backwards with ...pie (pronounced zepp as in zeppelin and ending in long e). It seems like most places I am the first to claim zeppie, so it stuck.
Well, my manhood was tested today and I passed. Not with flying colors, but I passed. On my way home from Paris (did I tell you how much I love driving to Paris every day) a man behind me began to flash me with his headlights and point emphatically downward. I had no idea what was the big deal. I took a look in my rearview mirror to make sure my trunk and gas tank were closed, and they were, so I continued to drive.
A little time passed, but this guy was persistant. He was waving his hands like he was having a grand mal. So I figured it would be in my best interest to pull over at the next spot possible. So I parked my car at 1st Bank in Atwood, got out and took a gander. To my amazement and dread I spotted the cause of his status epilepticus .
My rear driver's tire was flat. I mean flat. Not just low on air, but sucking it. It was flatter than a playing card, flatter than a pancake, flatter than Al Gore. You get the point.
You see, I have never sucessfully changed a tire before. My manhood was a stake. Could I do it without mamming my car, myself, or my pride. The challenge was on. After stuggling for longer than I want to admit (ok about 10 minutes), I finally got the jack out of the trunk. Yes, just to get the jack out of the trunk. But with a little help from a passer-by, I was able to figure out that I would need to twist a knoby thing to get it out. Ok, strike one on the manhood.
Then I needed to decide the proper placement for the jack. This is where I went wrong in my previous tire changing escapade. Lets just say I had a little minor body damage the last time, won't make that mistake again. Fortunately there was a little picture on the jack that showed where I would need to place it. Got to love those pictures.
Now time to crank up the jack. I wasn't sure which tool to use, but I started in anyway. I'm a man, I should be able to figure this out... This seemed to be taking forever. I broke down and did the unthinkable, I read the instructions in the owner's manual. Duh...so that's how you do it. Strike two on the manhood.
Fortunately, the tire came off with ease, but the jack needed to be a little higher to get on the spare. After a couple minutes it seemed to be getting harder to put the tire on instead of easier. Then I realized I was turning the jack the wrong way. I realized my error and quickly began to crank the opposite way with much better success. Let's just count this one as a foul ball, shall we.
Ah!! The tire was on! Now I just needed to make it to Jackson without anything tragic happening. My fear is that I would not have the lug nuts tight enough and the tire would come flying off down Hwy 45. If this happened it would certainly be my third and final whiff. Then I would begin my slow embarassing walk back to the dugout. But I am happy to say that I made it to Jackson in one piece, with my manhood intact, barely.
An hour later I had a new tire from King Tire, with rotation, and an oil change. The only glich is that I had thought we purchased the Roadside Hazard warranty from them when we bought the tires. Apparently not. So instead of the free tire, which I expected, it was $62 plus tax. Why is it when we buy the extended warranty things never break, and when we don't they alway break? I guess that would make another blog.
Men, save your boys great embarassment later in life. Teach them to change a tire.
I just finished my taxes online. Many dread the thought of taxes, but not us poor folk. It's the moment I've waited for all year. Uncle George sends me a paycheck for having kids and barely making an income. Don't you love America!
I think doing my taxes is a blast. Heck, it's more fun than playing the dollar slots at Tunica. If you do TurboTax online (which I highly recomend) you get the pleasure of seeing that little box in the corner rack up your refund. I mean what's better than seeing your yearly income almost double before your very eyes. That's right double!
I just found out I got a $2600 return! Cha-Ching! I only made a little over 3000 bucks last year. That's what I call a payday. No wonder so many people would rather be poor than find a job. Mark, maybe you shouldn't be so concerned about finding work.
If your poor like me and haven't done your taxes yet, use TurboTax freedom online. It's free if your poor and you too can have the pleasure of seeing your return spin upward into the heavens.
Dave
Angie and I watched a movie last night called Facing the Giants . For those of you not familar with it, it is a movie created, produced, and acted in by members of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA. It was produced on a budget of only $100,000.
First I want to say, I applaude the church for taking on such a huge project. It took a large number of volunteers and time to make this movie. I appreciate their desire to produce a movie that is "Christian" and does not include the violence, profanity, etc. seen in most movies today. However....
Keep your expectations low if you are to find any pleasure in this movie (other than poking fun at it). I hate to be so negative about this film, but it is certainly mediocre at best. It has been touted by some Christians as an incredible movie. I am not sure what they are seeing. Is it just that we are so desparate for a "Christian" film that we are willing to except very poor attempts as excellent. Certainly there is more talent among Christians than this.
It wasn't just a lack of talent in this movie, it seemed to have a lack of correct Biblical theology. Maybe it wasn't meant this way, but they certainly seemed to be advocates of the "Prosperity Gospel" or "Name it and claim it" theology. According to the movie, if you pray and believe with enough faith and you to can keep your job and get a raise even though you were about to be canned, become a championship football team instead of sitting in the cellar, receive a brand new extended cab pickup truck as a gift, see your entire school come to revival, and concieve a child against all odds (twice). I am all about happy endings, but come on!
Well that's my opinion, what's yours?
It's too late Mark. My kids have already learned to use cell phones (See Hot Coffee... ). However, I think we know that I am not the one to blame for that.
Dave
Well the general surgery saga has come to a close, sort of. Regional hospital has backed out of their contract with Bethel and I will not be able to do my rotation there after all. So nice of them to wait until I am a week into my rotation to let us know that, isn't it.
Fortunatly we were able to find a quick replacement. The only catch its in Paris, TN, about an hour and a half from home. So it looks like I get to commute for the next 5 weeks. Pray for my safety and sanity.
Dave
Ok. I'm going to use this blog to vent some frustration and beg for your prayers. I was supposed to start my final clinical rotation this past Monday. It is in general surgery. For some reason this rotation has been a nightmare to line up. I have had several attempts at completing this rotation, all have fallen through at the last minute. This is no exception.
The other times, no big deal. I'll just do one of my other rotations. This time there is no other rotation. I am at home while the clock is ticking. I am required to get in a certain number of hours for this rotation and each day at home makes that more difficult.
Supposedly this rotation has been lined up since December, but for whatever reason, now there are some problems. I am told it will be observation only, which does not make for a great learning experience. But at this point, I don't really care. However, there are some contractual things that need to be worked out with the CEO of the hospital by my clinical director before we can even move on with that.
The clinical director just so happens to be out of the office today because her daughter poked her eye out with a pencil. Why do kids do things like that? Ughhhh. Hey this blogging thing is making me feel a little better.
Anyway, pray that this rotation will get moving soon.
Dave
I thought it was about time the Roberts family started blogging. It seems everyone else we know is doing it. My wife is addicted to reading them. Thanks a lot BooMama, whoever you are. I figure this is a nice way for everyone to know what is going on in the Roberts household. (Zach get off Sam right now!) Obviously this isn't a good time to be starting a blog.
Later,
Dave
