Some things never change

Yes, I can't help it. I downloaded the new Elvis/Lisa Marie Presley version of "In the Ghetto." I don't know why, but it touches me. The song always has, but to hear both of them singing together, for the first time, publicly...man, it gives me chills. Sad thing is, the ghetto is still there...always will be. The song is timeless. Unfortunately, so is poverty.

Ironically, one thing that doesn't change is...well, change. I'm about to begin a study on God in pop culture: Navigating our culture through theological reflection and social awareness...blah, blah blah. Yeah it sounds more like a thesis than a wednesday evening class. But what I've discovered is that change is always present when it comes to culture. So, if one were to write a book on finding God in the culture 20 years ago, it would not do us much good here in 2007. However, the techniques used to discern what God is doing...those rarely change.

The premise is stated in the verse from 1 John 17:15, 16. "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it."

The question I constantly ask myself for me and for my family is just this. How can we keep from being swayed back and forth by the cultural shifts that surround us? What I look forward to in this study is to discover some key truths that don't change...key methods that will be helpful to all of us when we navigate the life we have been given.

I'd love to hear your comments on this idea.

The Poll Has Spoken

I've received some pretty loud comments saying hey...start already! So, here it is.

Our Journey through the world of fertility treatments has finally taken us somewhere. Yes, we had our procedure at the end of July and again at the very beginning of August. Yet another IVF in a long line of Pills, shots and doctor assisted...well...you know. I can say that I'm glad to not have to go back for certain things. Anyway, to the point.

I had asked Shelly if she was going to take a pregnancy test and she said, I quote, "no, I think I'll wait until the blood test." Fair enough. Let's have a nice weekend, I thought to myself. 2 weeks ago I had taken Liv to Mcdonalds while Shelly got her hair done. We're having such a nice moment when she starts to talk about the baby. I said, "now Liv, remember it's only an embryo right now...let's not get our hopes up. You remember a lot of embryos don't quite make it to being babies...it's a pre-baby...an embryo...ok?" I thought, hey, that's pretty wise to be coming out of my mouth...I guess all those hours of Dr. Phil really did pay off.

But then, to my surprise, she contradicted me...she said, "No daddy! It's a baby. Mommy said that it's a baby if there are 2 LINES!"

aaaahhhh...it's all clear to me now! The Shelly Express Lane...No Waiting. Shelly walked in and I said, 2 lines huh? Her grin got big and said, "how did you know?" "Liv," I replied. "Liv! That was our secret!" I was shut out...the first secret of many that those two will share together...oh well at least we're pregnant! Will it last, I don't know, but we're excited all the same. God's in control and this life is in his hands.

So, thanks for the prayers...and here's the first of many pics I'll post. He/She doesn't look like me yet, but I can see she/he has Shelly's Lining. Amazing thing is that the baby's only 6 1/2 weeks old, but we heard the heartbeat...that little bittie thing inside the other little bittie things...was beating. I saw it...amazing.

Photo Exhibit

I've had the pleasure of being able to gather photos from people for the Southeast B&W photo exhibit. I've noticed how people are learning to communicate through images. People have a good eye for things. People you might not expect.

I think what it happening is that people are changing the way they communicate...or adapting to speak the language of the culture. For the past several decades, we have been indoctrinated into a particular way of thinking by the use of images. Images tell a story. It is a language that all of us understand. I love the starkness of black and white images. I love the raw undedited feel you get from the first impression. The following picture was taken in 1969. It is a picture of two young parents expecting their next child.

one 24th of a second in time. Yet a moment that tells a story.

I love this pic. It's of my folks a few months before I was born. I see a lot of myself in my dad...the hands, the smile...a story is being told.

I'm all about different ways of commuicating. With the photo exhibit coming up, I'm interested to 'see' what people have to say.