Memorial Memories

As with all Memorial Days, Veteran Days, and Independence Days (known as the 4th of July), I reflect on those servicemen I know personally who have served our country in the military.  In their honor, I would like to list a few of their names.

Ivan Garrison (my grandfather – served in Korea)
Earl Hale (my father-n-law – served in Vietnam)
Jerry Delaney (personal friend – served in Vietnam)
Kenny Miller (personal friend)

Jameson Williams (hometown and college friend – presently serving)
Randy Lawson (friend – presently serving in Iraq)
Brandon Watts (former youth – presently serving in South Korea)

I could list so many others that I know by name or who are members of our church or are friends of friends.  Taking the time to remember their dedication and sacrifice in defending our country builds up a well of emotion inside.  Courage.  Honor.  Valor.  Sacrifice.  Protection.  We are all recipients of a great benefit because of men like these and many others.

Your Radio vs. Your Church

I was teaching a class called Foundations in our church last Sunday.  Foundations is for new believers or those wanting to join as members.  We were in a discussion on worship, worship styles, personal preferences, likes/dislikes. (Dangerous topic among church folks I know, but I survived.)

I asked this question to the 16 people in the room, “What radio station do you listen to the most?”

Here are the results as best I can remember:
3 said Country
3 said Talk Radio/NPR/Sports Talk
5 said Contemporary Christian (K-Love)
1 said Oldies
1 said Hip-Hop
0 said Classical and 0 said rock-n-roll.

So here is my observation.  The music styles and formats offered in your church should reflect the musical preferences of the congregation and community in which you serve…right?  According to this informal survey, our church should be doing Country Western songs and Christian radio hits, along with a talkradio sermon and an occasional “old” song written in the 50′s or 60′s.  If you wanted to throw in an intepretative dance to a Kirk Franklin song, you would be ok.

How have the worship wars been fought?  Contemporary vs. traditional.  Liturigal vs. free.  No one is discussing Country Western vs. Hip Hop.  But maybe they should because that is what their people listen to the other 6 DAYS of the WEEK.

A Little Boy’s Prayer

As a proud father, I was even more proud yesterday of my son.  Jennifer, Isaac, and I went over to Wayne & Stephanie Deffinger’s (youth pastor and wife) home to pray for Stephanie.  Today (5/23) she will be having a very serious surgery after battling 18 weeks of chemotherapy.

After a nice visit, it was time to go and time to pray.  Isaac had practiced at home, but it was now showtime.  He put his little hand on her shoulder and prayed, “Dear God, help Stephy, Amen.”  He is only 1 1/2, but that little boy can say some whoppers of a prayer.

Jennifer and I then joined Wayne and Stephanie to pray as well.  I know God hears the prayers of all followers of Christ, but I am sure toddler prayers go straight to the throne room of God as fast as lightning.

Test Driving Video

object-permenance-mpeg-1.mpg  (30 sec. on DSL.  I have no clue the time on dial up)

This is a video I created back in Fall 2006 for a class presentation.  It is of Isaac showing certain developmental markers of Jean Piaget.  I know, I know…booorrrrinng.

But my purpose to is do some testing of the video capacity so I can post mini-videos later on.  Like maybe of the new kid.

If this doesn’t work, just let me know and I will keep learning/trying.  I tried it and it worked.

And just in case you are dying for more Piaget, here is another video clip of “Spatial Recognition.”  Whoa.  Yeah.  Way cool.

spatial-recognition-mpeg-1.mpg

Hosea and Gomer

I taught my Wednesday night Bible study on the story of Hosea and Gomer.  The idea of this marriage continues to arrest me.  A preacher and a prostitute.  A man of God and a woman of harlotry.  A covenant-keeper and a covenant-breaker.

Beyond the reality of the story, the thought of the spiritual significance as we (Jesus’ bride) are Gomer.  My heart is prostituted to other gods, including the god of ME.  My mind, which can choose to dwell on the words of God, becomes a harlot thinking about American Idol, Lost, or Survivor more than forgiveness, grace, and redemption.  My God has been a covenant-keeper of my soul since I received him at age 9, but I continually break that bond and pervert the meaning of love and devotion.

But praise Jesus…I was bought back with an amazing price.  My slave auction was won out but the Prince of peace.  Sure there are consequences of my disobedience and straying away, but the majestic love and mercy of our Lord overcomes victorious.

I was bought.  I bought back.  I was bought back by love.

A Song of Thanksgiving by Shane Garrison

10-a-song-of-thanksgiving.mp3

Use “Save Target As.”  This thing is big…7 MBs.

a-song-of-thanksgiving.doc

This is a vulnerable place for me, so be gentle.  Phillip Brunner, our worship pastor, and I have been attempting to write songs for our church.  Attached is an mp3 of a song I wrote for Thanksgiving last year.

I am a drummer who just happens to clunk on the piano, so usually I write the lyrics and the general chord progression.  Then Phillip, who is a real pianist, vocalist and trained musician, turns my idea into a real song…with a melody and pretty little additions.

I would love for you all to listen to the song and let me know what you think.  I have included the lyrics/chord sheet, so you can read along.  Also this is a live worship service version, not a studio recording.  Phillip wanted me to add that little caveat because he thinks his voice sounds bad.  He is in a vulnerable place as well. 

We are open to constructive criticism and collaboration, not just “I liked the song.”  The only way you get better at something is by having both positive and constructive feedback.  We are rookies and aren’t afraid of admitting it.

If I get a decent response, we have some other music that we might post on the blog.   Basically, I am going to have to convince Phillip that this is a good idea. 

Happy Listening.

Change is Good…Right?

I am reading a book for one of my classes this semester on Managing Transitions and I came across a quote that is worth the whole price of the book ($5.95 on Amazon.com).  Here it is:

“It’s not so much that we are afraid of change or so in love with the old ways, but it’s that place in between that we fear…It’s like being between trapezes.  It’s Linus when his blanket is in the dryer.  There is nothing to hold on to.”    Marilyn Ferguson, American Futurist

Right now in my life, I am finding that I am more and more in between trapezes.  My blanket is in the dryer and I am looking for something to hold on to.  I am holding onto my love of Jesus Christ and my hope in His provision and plan for my life.  I am holding onto the love of my life, Jennifer, and her peaceful submission to me as head of our home.  I am holding onto my boy Isaac and his undying love for his daddy.  And I am holding onto our new baby that is yet to be born, but already looking to me to provide for his/her welfare.

I have a lot to hold onto, but all the other things: job, school, career, house, finances, future ministry, certain relationships…seem to be up in the air.  They are all changing.  Not everything at once, but one slight shift in life causes so many things to be disorganized and dis-shelved.  As a highly organized person, that doesn’t go down to well with me.

“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord.  My hope is the Lord.

A Couple School Papers

I was reading my friend (and fellow classmate) Rob Tim’s blog and I noticed that he put some of his school work on the site.  I had not really considered this before.  I mean…who wants to read my papers?  But for those that need constant sources of information and a sleep aide…

HERE YOU GO.  Beware.

The Church Related School and its Denomination

mini-review-the-church-related-college.pdf

At this point, this topic will be my dissertation.  There will be some modification, but this literature review will be included to some degree in the dissertation.  This was my first attempt at a literature review, so please don’t expect a wonderous work of skill.  Also it is 27 pages, so only read this if you are really trying to get some sleep.

The Leading Christian College President

the-leading-christian-college-president.pdf

A medium sized paper on Christian college presidents.  My favorite Prez hands down…Dr. Michael Carter from Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, KY.  My alma mater.  Dr. Carter is a rocking leader and is quoted in the paper.

Survivor Tragedy

If any of you are a Survivor junky like I am, you watched last night’s finale.  Season 14 I think it was.  I was shocked about the outcome for Yau-man Chan.  He was hoodwinked and bamboozled.

My horse did win.  I picked Earl to win way back in week 3 or 4.  This was the first time I ever picked a winner.  Usually my horse gets knocked off sometime after the merge.  Last season I picked Jonathon, from NY, to win.  My wife picked Yul and won.  I can’t remember the other years.

I did pick Rupert to win the all-stars season, which he lost.  But he won the popularity vote against Big Tom, Boston Rob and Colby Donaldson.  (I told you I am big fan of the show.)

But back to Yau.  What a shame for Dreamz to dump on him, keep the truck, and then after giving up his integrity, still loose the million dollars.  He should have known no one on the jury would vote for him and give Yau a chance to win.  Which as last night showed, he would have.

One Year Down

Today, I sent off a huge paper marking the completion of ONE YEAR at Southern Seminary in my doctoral program.  I don’t remember feeling this kind of relief after my first year of college or seminary was done.  This is definitely different. 

To think that I am one year closer to being completely done with school forever.  As of today, I am finished with the 23rd grade counting kindergarten.  Yippy.

I wanted to celebrate tonight with some fun, relaxing, mind-numbing entertainment, but instead I going to watch Survivor and a documentary on PBS.  Maybe going to school for a long time make you boring…?

Inside the Womb

This picture was taken Saturday, May 5.  You can see the head clearly, the rest looks like a blob.  But we did see the legs and arms.  Still no signs of the whether this child will have the Garrison chin or the Hale nose.

Baby Ultrasound #1

Jennifer and I got to see our second child via ultrasound on Saturday.  The nurse was going through the motions and showing us all the bones and important parts.  Then she took the little ultrasound wand and shook Jennifer’s belly.  She was trying to wake the kid up.

Immediately after being violently shook, there came lightning fast, flailing arms and legs.  She got the little thing mad.  He/she started stretching and wiggling all around trying to let us know it did not appreciate being woke up at 8:45 AM.  Apparently he/she is a late sleeper.

We will get another ultrasound in a couple months which will give us the gender.  This one was to get the exact date of conception so we can better plan the delivery date.

I hope to scan in the photo and post it tomorrow.

Greensburg KS Tornado

Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of Greensburg, KS as they begin a long process of digging out and rebuilding their utterly destroyed homes.  One of the largest tornadoes to hit American soil in almost two decades devasted their community on Friday night. 

One of the bright spots on the media has been a fellow Baptist pastor, Marvin George of First Baptist Church Greensburg , who has been interviewed on numerous occassions by ABC.  His home, the church building, nearly everything he cherished was destroyed, but he still gave testimony to the rock of Jesus on which his faith and hope rests.  His comments about the church not being a building but a group of people bound together for the cause of Christ was honorable and classy.

His adult daughter is getting married in September and her wedding dress, which was in the house, was in perfect condition.  A small blessing in the midst of amazing chaos.

Gatorade to the Rescue

Over the past 6 days, our home has been infested with a terrible stomach virus.  First Isaac was sick.  From last Wednesday until Sunday, he was all out of sorts.  I won’t describe the horrid details but you can use your imagination.  Then Jennifer started feeling bad Saturday morning.  She was in bed, curled up in the fetal position and praying to Jesus by the end of the night.  She finally started feeling better today.

And I…thinking I would be exempt from this little curse, started having miserable back pain Sunday at church and by that night, I was curled up in the bed right by Jennifer saying the same prayers of healing.  “Sweet Jesus…make it all go away!”

So how does Gatorade fit into this tale.  Our family has drunk probably 5 gallons of Gatorade in the last 5 days.  Everyone has been on it from the baby to us.  Fruit Punch, Lemon-Lime, Orange and the new A.M. formula (a softer taste and punch).  I have been taking mine in a large mason jar with 2 straws.

And so the Garrison’s tip our hats to Gatorade.  It does more than just refuel athletes.  It refuels normal people who have spent more time in the bed and in the bathroom than out among the living.

Cheers.