You'll fly the way we want you to fly

I enjoy adventures and this week was full of adventures in the skies.

I took a plane trip from Georgia to Texas, including a leg of flying between Hartsfield-Jackson and DFW. The day I flew to Texas, there was a bad weather system over Dallas. The storm dumped snow, created ice on the roads and runways, and had heavy winds. As a result, the airport was reduced to one runway and we were delayed 4 hours leaving ATL. Once in the air, we proceeded to DFW. Upon arriving in the airspace, we were informed that the airport had closed its last runway and we were put in a holding pattern making left turns out east of Dallas. After an hour, the captain informed us that we were out of fuel and were being diverted to Houston Intercontinental to take on more fuel. We landed in Houston, took on fuel, and were told that DFW had reopened one runway. We flew to DFW and landed, 8 hours late. Since it was so late, my rental car company was closed and I had to find another rental. I left DFW about 9 hours later than planned.

I returned to Georgia today. Leaving DFW this morning was delayed by about 45 minutes because a part was broken. They ended up swapping out our plane. We made it to ATL and the captain came over and said he would appreciate it if those who did not have to make an immediate connecting flight remained in their seats and let those of us who did go. I had 45 minutes to make my flight, so I stood. I remained standing for 15 minutes on the plane. The jetway broke and they had to bring in an electrician to fix it so we could deboard. Now with 30 minutes to make it, and 4 terminals to go, I hot footed it to my connecting flight, making it after the entire plane was loaded. I got to the gate and couldn't find an agent, so I walked down the jetway to find one. I found one, but she was not happy to see me. I was chastised for walking down the jetway. Returning to the counter, I gave her my ticket and she then admonished me for being late. Finding that my explanation that I was looking for an agent and I was late because of multiple mechanical failures involving my last flight was not satisfactory for her, I promised to not do such things in the future and boarded the plane, just as they locked the door.

I love adventures!

The Saga Continues

In July, we met Dave Carroll and the Sons of Maxwell who sang United Breaks Guitars, a true song outlining the frustrations they experienced when Dave's guitar was broken on a United flight. The story continues with another song by Dave. This chapter focuses on his relationship with Ms. Irlwig of United. Ladies and Gentlemen, United Breaks Guitars Song 2!

How did you do? Terrible

This past Sunday I taught Sunday school. The lesson went well and afterwards, many people gave me positive feedback, including a round of applause that broke out. But if you asked me how it went, I wouldn't give such positive feedback. I would instead think that it didn't go well and that it wasn't a good lesson.

This is a typical response of mine whenever I give any sort of presentation or have my work critiqued. As a teacher, I rarely felt a lesson went well, even if the students responded well or if teachers or my principal were present and gave positive feedback. I always felt I could do better and that what I presented was not good. When I take tests, I rarely walk out of a test feeling that I did well or knew the material, even if I do exceptionally well on the test. Sometimes it even seems that the better I do at something, the lower my view of my performance is.

I tend to think that this response is OK if not even good. I think it prevents me from being overly arrogant of my work. But if it prevents me from doing things that I am capable of, it is counter-productive. It is an odd balance of humbleness and confidence.

I do a terrible job at it.

It's all about the music

I love the Christmas season. The decorations, the cool weather, but mainly, the music. I really like a lot of Christmas music. A lot I do not! Paul McCartney's Wonderful Christmas is a song that causes me to turn off the radio or run from the stores playing it. Santa Baby is a very creepy song. But there are lots of good songs. Let's take a look at some of them.

I enjoy some secular songs that have little to do with Christmas. They either are about Santa or the weather. But I do like them.

One is the Overture from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker.



Another secular song I really enjoy is Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride.



I really like some of the songs that truly are about Christmas.

One of these songs is commonly song during Advent, the season leading up to Christmas. O Come O Come Emmanuel.



Another one has had its name change. Here we will listen to it in the original name, that is Good Christian Men Rejoice. This version is in Latin.



Another song I enjoy is God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman.



Finally, a song that for a long time I didn't know what a Christmas song. I first heard this song in middle school when we played it in band. I loved the tune, but had no idea it was a Christmas song until I heard it with its words last year. I wrote about it at the time. Here is, I Wonder as I Wander.



As great as the music is though, isn't it really all about Jesus?

I Don't Understand You

I have a hard time understanding people. I do not do well when I try to anticipate what someone will do or try to find the hidden meaning in what they say or do. I have tried to get better at this and to spend time analyzing their actions and to be able to anticipate their next action or to determine how they feel about something or to perhaps even read their mind. What I end up with instead are guesses that are based on preconceived notions that have a very low probability of being right. I do not understand why you do what you do and I will not be able to know what you will do next.

Art Among Us

This morning a friend of mine and I went for a walk along the Augusta Canal. We walked from the pavillian to the water works and back. Along the way we saw lots of birds, enjoyed a nice walk through the woods, and watched the sun shine on another day. At the water works park was a CSX rail bridge. Below are some photos from it.

Just another day

Yesterday was just another day.


The Old Greene County Gaol

Another day exploring my land.


Columns of the Holmes/Hunter Academic Building at the University of Georgia

Another day hiking on the trails.


The South Fork River in the Watson Mill Bridge State Park

Another day breathing in the clean air.


The Oconee River in the Oconee National Forest

Another day enjoying the sun.


The Watson Mill's Bridge in the Watson Mill's Bridge State Park

Another day observing the wildlife.


Lizard at Sculls Shoals in the Oconee National Forest

Another day spending time with a friend.


My friend getting in my picture of Elder's Mill Covered Bridge in Oconee County, Georgia

Another day seeing the sights of a new town.


The arch at the University of Georgia

Another day seeing the oddities of the roadside.


A odd book monument with just this cauldron on it at the courthouse in Greene County, Georgia.

Another day exploring the history of our country.


The ruins of the Company Store in the abandoned town of Scull Shoals in the Oconee National Forest

Just another day in the life.

The War has Begun!

The war on Christmas has begun! The AFA has released their Naught or Nice list, a list of companies who either embrace Christmas in their advertising or not. Not, contrary to what one would think, the AFA lists a 'naughty' company as one that does not include Christmas in their advertising. It seems that they prefer to see the commercialization of Christmas that has taken place.

I have written about this in the past, so we will combine a few posts on why I do not think we should embrace Christmas in the retail world.

While listening to the radio one morning, a DJ in Kerrville was reading an essay about the "war on Christmas." In the essay, the DJ chastised retail shops for not using the word Christmas in their advertising campaigns. He encouraged everyone to say merry Christmas and not happy holidays. This is just a sample of the numerous claims of an attack on Christmas, usually dealing with retail stores.

The American Family Association, AFA, annually calls for boycotts of stores that do not include the word Christmas in their advertising. This year, they are calling for the boycott of Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. You can read about the fight here. Gap is guilty of having 172 references of "holiday" in their stores and websites but onyl 3 references of "Christmas."

Has Christmas really become so materialistic that Christian organizations are upset that it is losing its materialism? Is the AFA really complaining because the word Christmas is not used in the secular sense? Stores are not using Christmas to spread the message of Jesus, but instead to make money! Is this what God really wants out of his holiday? A fight over if we can get a Wii or not? A fight over if the sign at Walmart says Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Is that why Jesus was born 2000 years ago?

Many people are quite upset about retail stores not saying Merry Christmas or using Christmas in there advertisements. I am not one of those. I usually do not say Merry Christmas at the retail store. Here's why.

First, the goal of the retail store is to make money. This is not bad, I have no problem with them wanting to make money. This however is not the reason for Christmas. The reason for Christmas is to remember to coming of our Savior. I am not reminded of it when I am given a new shirt wrapped in pretty paper.

Second, I love Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride. I hear it in just about every store. However, it does not remind me of the coming of Jesus. It reminds me of what an awesome piece of music it is, or perhaps how someday I too would like to go for a sleigh ride. I do not like the song Santa Baby. I find it weird. It also doesn't remind me of the coming of Christ. Songs like Joy to the World, or Hark! the Herald Angels Sing do remind me of Christmas. But I rarely hear those songs in the store.

Third, I am not really that big on the presents. Maybe I am just a scrooge about it. I enjoy giving presents, but not so much the receiving. I do it because I care for the people, but find that giving to charities or the needy to be a much better endeavor.

Many people say Merry Christmas at the retail stores. That's great! I will say "thank you" when you give me my receipt instead. I am not trying to keep Christ out of Christmas, just the opposite, I am trying to keep him in it.

2000 years ago a child was given to us. A child that was prophesied about for hundreds of years. Isaiah wrote

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.

Luke tells us that during the reign of Caesar Augustus, Joseph took his virgin bride-to-be (who was with child) to Bethlehem to be registered. During the time, Mary gave birth to a child who was called Jesus, which means He will save. And he did save! This child grew up to be the most perfect man to ever live. This man, whose biological father was God himself, came to save us from our sins and allow us to have ever lasting life. 33 years after his birth in a stable, he was hung on a cross. His death was the atonement for our sins, allowing us to be reconciled to God, from whom our sins separated us. His resurrection 3 days later conquered death and gave us eternal life, all who believe in him and take him as their savior. For without Easter, there would be no Christmas. King Jesus now reigns in heaven and in our hearts, having overcome the prince of this world, Satan.

What are people really fighting for? Are we fighting so that God's name will be known throughout the world or that we can feel powerful. Are we fighting for God's glory or our own? To fight for the word Christmas to be placed in store advertising is to fight for your own glory. To fight through prayer and devotion to prepare for the coming of the Christ child is to fight for God's glory.

What are you fighting for?

Now let's go get ready for Thanksgiving.

It is good!

This week, Bishop Woodie White has an article in the United Methodist Reporter titled REFLECTIONS: Focus on good news! In it, Bishop White urges us to remember that there is not only bad in the world, but also good. He recalls as a child a news commentator who would begin with “There’s good news tonight!” Should we not remember this mantra today?

He comments that to some, bad news is the only desirable news there is. Any good news must be twisted into a way that reflects poorly on someone or something. Some do this for political reasons. Listen to any political commentator and you will hear this. A politician from the opposite side of the aisle could come up with a cure for cancer, end world hunger, and bring world peace and the political commentator will find someway to change it into bad news. Others do this for money. Listen to an advertisement for gold and you will think that the total destruction of any form of government was imminent. Still others do it just because they have a negative attitude about life.

We needn't ignore the bad in the world. Bishop White tells us "To be sure, it is important to be informed of the events that reveal flaws of leaders, nations and individuals. These must be addressed forcefully and effectively. Our desired end is the common good, freedom, justice and fairness for all. We must correct all that would dehumanize or seek to destroy our common humanity and desire for community." We have much work to do. God gives us this as our challenge. We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, help the imprisoned, give water to the thirsty, cure the sick, fight for justice, take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. But we must not ignore the good that God is doing. "But it is the good in people and the good of people that makes the world a better place. To overlook or minimize this good, as evidenced in deeds or works, is to forget who we are as a people and the children of a God. Not a bad God, but a good God!" Indeed, the very message of salvation, the Gospel, is Good News.

What good is going on in your life?

The Wall was Torn Down

20 years ago the Berlin Wall fell. I remember seeing it on the news, probably one of my earliest recollections of an international event.

It marked the end of the Cold War, and ushered in what was thought to be a new era of peace. One that was soon interrupted by activity in the Middle East when Saddam Hussein rolled his tanks into Kuwait. And in the Middle East our attention has been since.

What better way to remember the end of the Cold War that a German anti-Cold War song, Nena's 99 Luftballons!

History Repeats

Recently, I have had several posts that have been repeats of previous posts. Today is no different. Yesterday I was riding in my truck with a friend listening to Jack Johnson's Sleep Through the Static.



He asked about the song and I told him my interpretation of it being an anti-Iraq war song. While discussing the song, I mentioned that I felt it was a much better anti-war song than John Mayer's Waiting on the World to Change. I wrote about that song almost a year ago. You can read my thoughts here.

Coincidentally, these repeats have all been about a year after the original post. This has not been because I looked up what was happening a year ago, but because history repeats itself. I now have a way of looking into my past. Now if only I make the correct choice this time around.

Come Fly With Me

My friend Jamie loves to fly.



I have rarely talked to her without her talking about flying. If you ask her what she loves to do, her response is "to get high." Today, she took me to get high.



Jamie flies a Cessna 150 Commuter. After introducing me to her plane, we went over a pre-flight check. She showed me the various parts of the plane and how to inspect it before flight. After she was made ready for flight, we taxied to the runway.




We took off on runway 36. Runways are numbers based on the first two numbers of their magnetic heading. So runway 36 has a magnetic heading of 360 or 000. Another thing Jamie taught me about aviation.



We took off and spent about an hour in the air, flying between 500' and 3500', soaring over lakes and swamps, bays and shorelines, watching children and dolphins play, bouncing on the wind, getting high.



She loves to share her enthusiasm of flying with everyone. That extended to letting me get my hands on the controls and flying the plane.



What a thrill! No wonder Jamie talks about it all the time.

She took back the controls and demonstrated what the plane is capable of, doing steep turns and a power-off stall.



After over an hour of flight, it was time for us to come down from our high. We returned to the airport, landing on runway 36.



Jamie loves getting high. Can you blame her?

The Pensacola Lighthouse

The Pensacola Lighthouse sits on the grounds of NAS Pensacola, shining its light as a beacon to mariners entering the Pensacola Bay.



I have seen the lighthouse everyday while in Pensacola, but had not visited it. Yesterday I made the 177 step climb to the top of the tower. It is well worth it.

Tours of the lighthouse occur every Saturday, from 12 - 4, May through October.



The current lighthouse was lit in 1859. It stayed manned until 1965 when it was automated. The Keepers' Quarters were next door and housed the Keeper and family, as well as the Assistant Keeper and family.



Supposedly at some point in its past, someone was murdered in the southeast bedroom. The floor is said to be stained with blood that never came out. Do you see it?



Through out the night, the Keeper would climb 177 steps to the top of the lighthouse to keep the light going. We followed in his footsteps.



As you climb the steps, you pass various windows, each offering a new perspective in elevation and bearing.






177 steps, wrapped around the center pole, climbing 191 feet above the water.



Upon reaching the last step, you come to the light, the purpose of the lighthouse, shining 27 miles into the night.



But for us today, the purpose of the lighthouse is two fold. To walk in the footsteps of the lighthouse keeper who kept the light to protect ships and their crew, and to enjoy the views offered by the lighthouse.