Friday, July 06, 2007

The Oddly Familiar

We made it to Ohio uneventfully with the exception of Amy packing our entire house to take with us. Tomorrow we'll be driving up to Lake Erie, possibly by passing it for Cleveland to pick up our youngest child (if we can't con one of her cousins into doing it) if there's room in the car with all our luggage.

We won't be taking the "little truck that might" this year, which is good in that we've probably stretched our success ratio with that vehicle about as far as anyone could expect. It also means we'll have air conditioning and will be able to actually talk to each other on the way since the windows won't be rolled down...but it's a little sad that the little truck tradition is falling by the wayside. Yeah, I won't mourn for long.

Okay, I'm over it now.

I'm not sure if we'll take the back roads either, which is my usual preference...although I hope to get an up close look at the Solid Rock Church which I wrote about a few years ago when they were still in the process of building a giant statue of Jesus right next to the freeway.




I'd like to see it now that it's done. Lots of people have opinions about the giant Jesus, mine hasn't really changed in the past few years. Would I have spent money on such a thing? No. I have other theological priorities, but if it makes people feel the welcoming arms of God, gets someone to think about Jesus who perhaps wouldn't otherwise...who am I to judge?

I see the giant Jesus has now been immortalized in parody on YouTube...which really increases my desire to drive by it.



Oh yeah...we've got to drive by it at least.

Of course I'm trying to determine if we can go by Dublin, Ohio too. To see the "largest ears of corn" in the world.



I love stuff like that...but not everyone no one in my family seems to share my enthusiasm especially when it involves the word "detour."

My impaired sense of direction is already well documented, so if we happen to "get lost" and accidentally land in Dublin...well, it's just another twist in the road.

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Family Comes Fourth

I'm not used to this...this July 4th thing.

Don't get me wrong, Independence Day is one of my most cherished holidays not only because it's nice to see folks celebrate our nation at least one day a year, but also because I'm usually on vacation...in small town America.




It's an odd feeling not to look out a window and see someone who has made a patriotic fashion choice - without the influence of alcohol - one which they probably wouldn't make anywhere else.



In a few days we'll be back in "small town" America...but not today.

Today we're home in the big city, and although there are various parades, and ceremonies, and fireworks shows...they're scattered all about so it lacks that feeling of community...of family.

July Fourth represents many things to me, but for the past decade or more it has come to represent a freedom with which I was in truth unfamiliar. The liberty to be loved unconditionally by family. I'm used to gathering in a great group and watching fireworks, listening to the family members who can sing (that being every family member except me) harmonize patriotic hymns on the shores of Lake Erie. I'm used to eating far too many brats, burgers and still having room for ice cream. I'm even used to trying to appreciate the fifteenth firetruck in the local parade even knowing it's about to blast its siren at ear splitting levels, just like the fourteen firetrucks before it.




It's corny and antiquated...and altogether charming.



So, in all honesty, I feel a bit too independent on this particular Independence Day.



Yet that realization, makes me appreciate such blessings all the more.

Our family celebration is still near at hand, and forever etched in my heart.



God sovereignly made me the first, the basic, before he did anything else. I was brought into being a long time ago, well before Earth got its start. I arrived on the scene before Ocean, yes, even before Springs and Rivers and Lakes. Before Mountains were sculpted and Hills took shape, I was already there, newborn; Long before God stretched out Earth's Horizons, and tended to the minute details of Soil and Weather, And set Sky firmly in place, I was there. When he mapped and gave borders to wild Ocean, built the vast vault of Heaven, and installed the fountains that fed Ocean, When he drew a boundary for Sea, posted a sign that said no trespassing, And then staked out Earth's Foundations, I was right there with him, making sure everything fit. Day after day I was there, with my joyful applause, always enjoying his company, Delighted with the world of things and creatures, happily celebrating the human family. - Proverbs 8:22 (The Message)

Monday, July 02, 2007

The Minimalist

Blogging is going to be at a minimum for a couple of weeks. It's time to focus on family and spiritual renewal, which means "unplugging" from the rush of daily realities a bit.

It's a good thing.

I still have another day of work...and a few days before we leave. One of the many advantages of having folks share our house is that things like "dog-sitting" aren't too much of a concern, and we have a dear friend who I think we've conned into checking on things occasionally as well.

But I know the next few days will be filled with panic and planning....in order to relax.

Sadly, I've wrenched my back in a way I haven't done before, which I guess is God's little reminder that I've crossed the trellis into a new age bracket. I think I'm just going to pack two pairs of jeans, some underwear, a couple pairs of shorts and few tee-shirts.....socks & shoes if they'll fit in something not too heavy.

Right now though, sitting up is not pleasant...and I have yet to learn how to blog on my back, so I'm going to limp over to ibuprofen and back to bed.

I'll check in before we go....perhaps once we arrive. But if you don't hear from me for a while...don't worry...in fact just the opposite - praise God.