Adventuring Hiking with the Boys
August 11, 2011 Leave a comment
I Hate Bank of America
July 26, 2011 4 Comments
Crank of America, The Worst Bank in the World
I hate Bank of America. Let me be as clear as I can possibly be. I utterly, with all of my heart, mind and soul, with every fiber of my being, hate Bank of America.
I was a checking and savings account customer in TX. You know the story. First job, first direct deposit, first time you actually have money to manage. I selected BOA because they were on every corner and had ATM’s everywhere. But very quickly I learned their evil ways.
Once I was making a check DEPOSIT and I was scammed. The church I served cut me a check every two weeks and so I drove up to the drive-thru and proceeded to deposit my meager salary. For this deposit, they charged me $2.50. I had no other transactions, no withdraw. I didn’t even request any cash from the deposit. All I wanted was to put my money into their bank and I was charged a fee. I was so upset, I went right in and asked the bank manager what was going on. His answer, “Someone has to pay for these tellers.”
Over a period of 5 years, I was charged with all kinds of handling fees, processing fees, ATM fees, and of course, depositing fees. I should have banked elsewhere, but I stayed out of stupidity. So when we left TX, I left CRANK of AMERICA.
Fast forward to the present. A couple years back, my mortgage company sold my home loan to BOA loans. The Death Star drew me back in. I was a Crank customer again, without even agreeing to it. So I’ve sent my mortgage payment every month back to the Bank of America scum in Dallas, TX hating every dime I had to give them.
Until today. We are refinancing our home with our local bank, Citizen’s Bank & Trust. Not only am I leaving Crank, but my loan will be housed, serviced and monitored here locally by a local bank that I trust. I can call my loan officer any day and he can pull up my account without any trouble.
Crank of America is this your official notice that I am permanently withdrawing your hooks out of me for good. Please, please, leave me alone.
Fabio’s Fabulous Rescue
July 12, 2011 Leave a comment
Fluffy’s Treetop Emergency
July 12, 2011 Leave a comment
Boy Conference Camp Out Video
July 12, 2011 Leave a comment
You got to watch until the end. Ethan gets a line drive to the face. Complete with sound effects and crying.
Tribute to My Pastors
June 8, 2011 3 Comments
Six men have served as the pastors and under-shepherds in my life over the past 24 years as a believer in Christ. Four of them have served as my pastor in the local church. Two of them were not my pastors officially, but played a major role in my spiritual growth acting as spiritual mentors and encouragers in my personal life.
I would like to pay tribute to these fine brothers and servants of Christ Jesus.
Dr. Ron Williams - My first pastor
1. Dr. Ron Williams – Bro. Ron led me to Christ in VBS in 1987. He baptized me and was my first pastor until I was 16 years old. Bro. Ron and his wife Elaine and their sons Ronnie, Jameson, and Matt, were very influential in my life. Bro. Ron was an innovative Bible teacher and a beloved shepherd. He loved the New Testament and it showed up everywhere in his teaching and preaching. He eventually earned his Ph.D. in NT and has taught at Gardner-Webb University for many years.
Bro. Mo
2. Bro. Morgan Owen – Bro. Mo was my youth pastor. He served my home church throughout my high school years. He discipled me in small groups and personally in his home. He and his wife Carrol lived close to my house and Morgan would come over and play football with us in the front yard. More than anything he showed me how to be “in-love” with Jesus. His passionate commitment to Christ came through in everything he did. He is now serving as campus minister at Univ. Tenn. in Martin.
Dr. Taylor & I in Holy Land
3. Dr. Ted Taylor – Once I got to college, another pastor took over in my spiritual development. I didn’t attend Dr. Taylor’s church, I attended his classes. He was my professor, advisor, life coach, and mentor. He has remains those things today. No single man has been more influential in my life than Dr. Taylor. He is my father-in-the-faith. Now he is my colleague with his office being just three doors down. We talk nearly everyday.
Charlie in Naples, Italy
4. Rev. Charlie Worthy – Once in seminary, another man of God became my unofficial pastor. Again this was not a pastor of the church I attended or served at, but a man who became one of my closest friends and advisors. Charlie and I worked together at PPC and went to school together at SWBTS. He and his wife Shannon really took Jennifer and I under their wing, showing us how to be married and eventually how to be Christian parents. Charlie married us in 2002. Charlie and I spent a lot of time together in ministry and at his home over dinner. He and his family serve in Naples, Italy.
Pastor Bob in white
5. Pastor Robert Franklin – When I left seminary, I started my first “full-time” ministry position as the associate pastor of Main Street Church under Pastor Robert Franklin. For the first year, Pastor Bob and I shared an office. For the next 4 years, we prayed together every week on our knees before the Lord. He trained me in all things pastoral: funerals, elders, deacons, confrontation, leadership, vision, faithful stewardship, and out-of-the-box thinking. He encouraged me and called me out all the time, like a real pastor should. He will forever be my boss/pastor/friend/brother. He just celebrated 10 years as pastor of Main Street.
- Skip & I at CU Homecoming 09
6. Dr. Skip Alexander – After Main Street, we moved to Campbellsville. We joined Campbellsville Bapt Church to be “members” for the first time in a long time. It was the first church we had chosen in over 10 years; all the others had chosen us. Pastor Skip was our pastor. He truly became a friend to me. We talked about ministry often. We worked on several projects together in the church and in the community. He understood how relationships were the currency of this community. I learned a lot from him. He left last month to serve as senior pastor of Northside Church in Indianapolis, IN.
I am thankful to God for these men and their role in my spiritual journey. I pray I give to others as these men have given to me.
Isaac Contradicts His SS Teachers
April 25, 2011 Leave a comment
From an email sent to me from Isaac’s Wee Worship teacher after his class on Easter Sunday.
Dear Shane,
Isaac told us in Wee Worship today how when Jesus was on the cross the Roman soldiers stabbed Him, and his dad showed him where they stabbed him with a pin. I said, “and think how much worse it was for Jesus, because it was a big sword they stabbed Him with!” Isaac responded, “No, it was a pin. My Dad told me yesterday.”
Yes, we were teaching Isaac and Ethan about the cross using The Purple Bag our childrens pastor provided for us for Good Friday. The bag had 10 little items that the boys pulled out one-by-one that told the crucifixion story. One of the final items was a silver painted toothpick representing the spear the soldier used to pierce Jesus’ side.
We looked at the “spear” and then I poked both boys in the side showing them where Jesus was stabbed. Then I had them poke me with what they thought was a ”pin.”
Apparently I need to be more careful with my teaching techniques. Isaac is now contradicting his teachers because what Daddy’s says must be the truth. That makes me pause and think what else I have said that he is going to correct his Sunday School teachers about. Hmmmm….
Tag Team Partner or Cheerleader
March 30, 2011 2 Comments
Many years ago, I was asked to teach a Bible study with my dear friend (the now) Dr. Andrew Dyer entitled, “Am I Called?” We were both young men in college having surrendered to the call of full-time vocational ministry. We wanted to help others going through this process of discovery and examine biblically what God might be doing in their lives. We developed a nice little study stealing from the best authors of that time.
One of the lessons from that study, which has now made it to my Spiritual Formation classroom, is called “The Tag Team Partner vs. the Cheerleader.” It asks a key question of those called by God, “What do you want in a spouse?”
Do you want a Tag Team Partner (like in wrestlin’) who is equally called, who senses God is leading them into ministry as well, who tags in and out with you over the period of your marriage? Or do you want a Cheerleader who is not called vocationally to ministry, who will support, cheer, encourage and applaud you in what God has called you to do, and help you in this journey with Christ?
Over the years, I have developed this teaching and have taught it numerous times, mostly to single college students. It is now complete with a pros and cons list which I would like to share.
Tag Team Partner PROS:
- Understands the demands of ministry.
- Completely supportive because their in it too.
- Has an active ministry of their own.
- Iron sharpens iron, so one spouse sharpens the other.
- Supports moving to follow God’s plan and call.
Cheerleader PROS:
- Encouraging and verbally supportive.
- Able to 
work outside of ministry which is better financially.
- Great listener without commentary or advice.
- Better connection with unbelieving family members.
Tag Team Partner CONS:
- Someone will often have to sacrifice to follow the other.
- High expectations placed on kids of two ministers/missionaries/pastors, etc.
- Can and will be financially strapped.
- Ministry can zap romantic relationship.
- Giving to others is emotionally draining, leaving little for the spouse.
Cheerleader CONS:
- When trouble hits, the spouse may want to escape or eject.
- Unable to understand the demands accurately because their not in it.
- Can become jealous of the ministry; the ministry becomes the mistress or the other man in their lives.
- Lacks the ability to be quiet and confidential about ministry matters.
So which is better? You’ll have to decide.
Spring Break Trip to Louisville Zoo
March 28, 2011 Leave a comment
Mentor, Friend, Pastor, Professor, Father in the Faith
March 9, 2011 Leave a comment
Dr. Taylor and I in the Holy Land (2010)
This month we are celebrating 40 years of Christian Ministry with my mentor, friend, colleague and leadership coach Dr. G. Ted Taylor. On April 17, 2011, Dr. Taylor will have served in faithful Christian ministry for 40 years.
I met Dr. Taylor during the fall semester of my sophomore year at CU (1996). I was in his Religion in Life class. I was dealing with my own call to ministry and that class helped solidify what I believed God was doing in my heart. Over Christmas break, I surrendered to the call of ministry and switched my major to Religious Education. Dr. Taylor became my adviser, mentor, professor and personal life coach. I spent hundreds of hours in his office talking life and ministry.
After I left CU in 1999, I kept in touch with Dr. Taylor all through seminary. His name was on every resume that went out to churches I was applying. He sent letters of recommendation to everything I asked. I called him often for counsel and encouragement as a new youth minister.
Jordan River 2010
When we landed back in Northern KY in 2004 and I joined the CU Church Relations Council, I would see Dr. Taylor every year for the annual meeting on campus. Again, we would spend time talking ministry and life. I loved those visits because I got face-to-face time with my father in the faith.
And in 2008 when I was hired on at CU to take Dr. Taylor’s old position in Educational Ministries, our relationship blossomed even more. Now he was my colleague and coach in a new job with very different leadership dynamics. My success in the first couple years where basically his doing.
We have worked together on all kinds of projects. We talk about everything from marriage, ministry, church, students, parenting, and leadership trends. He and Ms. Sheri have adopted my family as their own. Our boys consider them their third set of grandparents. We have vacationed with them in TN.
Dr. Taylor is celebrating 40 years in ministry. He has a website where people are leaving him personal messages. Here was my message to my mentor, friend, pastor, professor, and father in the faith.
Words will never describe what Dr. Taylor has meant to my life. He has been a teacher, a mentor, a friend, a father-figure, an inspiration and a model of Christian leadership unlike any other. I consider his family, my family. I have been treated like his second son.
If ever there has been someone who has continually invested in me, Dr. Taylor is the one. He has pushed me further than I wanted to go and when I arrived at the finish line, he pushed me to go again.
I know I am not the same person since the day I met him back in 1996. During these 14 years of knowing each other, I have learned what it means to disciple another person by walking alongside a friend. Dr. Taylor has walked alongside of me for the entire journey and continues to teach me the ways of God by his words and example.
Dr. Taylor, Ms. Sheri, I love you with all my heart. Thank you for being faithful to give your lives away.
My Passport Stamp List
December 26, 2010 Leave a comment
Jennifer and I have been in a countries-visited contest ever since we first met. With my trip to Jordan in a couple weeks, I am finally going to pass her up. O’ sweet victory. Here is our lists (in no particular order):
Shane’s List
-
- Russia
- Canada (Does this really count? Yeah, sure it does.)
- Mexico
- Italy
- El Salvador
- Costa Rica
- Austria
- Spain
- England
- France
- Egypt
- Malta
- China
- Israel
- Jordan (Yeah, I’m going in the lead!)
Jennifer’s List
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- Phillippines
- Taiwan
- Malta
- Egypt
- Mexico
- Canada
- Spain
- France
- Italy
- Austria
- El Salvador
- Costa Rica
- England
- Switzerland
Theology of Organ Donation
December 22, 2010 Leave a comment
What is the greatest gift anyone could ever give? The gift of life. Giving the gift of life to a child is the greatest gift any parents could ever give. Giving organs to another person might be the second. “Greater love has no man than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) This seems to be the most Christian, Christ-like thing we could ever do.
Several weeks ago, I saw a football story about the late Cincinnati Bengal Chris Henry who died December 17, 2009. After his death, his organs were donated. His gift either saved or improved the lives of more than 5 people. His tragic ending brought hope to many.
Yesterday, Good Morning America featured a story about Connie Culp, the woman who received the first face transplant in the United States. The story showed Ms. Culp finally getting the chance to meet the husband and daughters of Anna Kasper, the woman who gave her the most amazing gift. One daughter said Culp looked like her mother with her perfect nose and beautiful smile. Her organs had been given to 70 other people as well.
Biblically, our bodies are only earthly vessels, useful for the time we are here on earth but nothing more. Upon our death, our bodies will remain in the ground and our spirit will be resurrected. In the end times, our earthly bodies will be resurrected but they will be renewed and made whole. In the new heavens and new earth, our heavenly bodies will not suffer disease, pain or sin ever again.
Therefore, if our bodies can be a gift to someone upon our death, I believe all Christians should give this gift away. No greater, no more gracious, no more sacrificial love could someone have than this, than he willingly lay down and give away his own life for a friend or a complete stranger (John 15:13, my paraphrase). From heaven, we literally could minister to someone more deeply and have a more life-changing impact on them than we could have had while on earth.
If I could give someone more years to live a longer life so they could be a father or finally come off kidney dialysis or live without constant medications, I want to do it. When my time on earth comes to an end, I want whatever is useful in my body to be a blessing to another person. It is not about keeping my legacy or memory alive, it’s about replicating the gift Jesus Christ has given me. His death has provided for me eternal life.
Signing an organ donor card is the first step. Telling your spouse or closest friend is next. Putting it in your will is third.
Be a donor, save a life. Be a Christ-follower, give your life away.
Trains at the Bank
December 19, 2010 Leave a comment
Isaac Christmas Program
December 19, 2010 Leave a comment
Christmas Thoughts by Ethan
December 19, 2010 Leave a comment
Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas
December 17, 2010 Leave a comment
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
You Know You’re On a Get-a-Way When
December 14, 2010 2 Comments
10. You know you’re on a get-a-way when you don’t have to double knot any shoes.
9. You know you’re on a get-a-way when chicken nuggets are never mentioned as a dinner choice.
8. You know you’re on a get-a-way when you don’t have to play the “silent game” in the car.
7. You know you’re on a get-a-way when cartoons are never on the hotel TV.
6. You know you’re on a get-a-way when you don’t have to spell out words little ears ought not hear.
5. You know you’re on a get-a-way when you pack up in 30 seconds, not 30 minutes.
4. You know you’re on a get-a-way when you are asked to take pictures of others families with children.
3. You know you’re on a get-a-way when you can eat dinner after 7 PM and not have fishy crackers for a snack.
2. You know you’re on a get-a-way when you don’t have to remind your traveling partner to go to the potty.
1. And the #1 way you know you’re on a get-a-way is…You never hear “Are we there yet?”
Teaching Preschoolers Thankfulness
November 26, 2010 2 Comments
Thankfulness. Gratitude. Appreciation. Graciousness. Sounds good in an article about preschoolers, doesn’t it? But compare these attitudes to those normally seen by little ones around this time of year: envy, always wanting more, jealousy, bickering, and complaining.
We desperately want to teach our preschoolers how to be thankful and not to be overcome with materialism. There is no way I can stop my two young ones from being influenced by the world of capitalism and the American love affair with stuff, but I GO DOWN TRYING! It is a matter of Christian parenting and a matter of soul care.
They more they love the things of this world, the less they will love the things of God. Their little hearts are so precious at this time, so I must instill a sense that THINGS do not bring us happiness and joy. Only Jesus does that.
Here are some tips to teach thankfulness and gratitude to preschoolers.
1. Help them understand what they DO have. When you put them in bed at night, talk with them about how they have a bed, a warm house, covers, pillows, soft pj’s, food in their belly and a roof over their head. Share with them that there are thousands of children around the world with none of these things.
2. Instead of getting more, encourage them to give things away. The constant begging for new stuff is going to happen. If they get something new, then they should choose to give something way. Like an old school backyard trade. The hoarding of material things will produce in preschoolers a feeling that the more stuff they have, the happier they’ll be, which we all know is not true. So when they get something new, give something old away. Keep a balance between getting and giving.
3. Limit your spending on them. For Christmas or birthdays, go light. Limit the number of gifts. In our home, we have practiced limiting Christmas gift for several years and our boys haven’t noticed any different. Part of this strategy is to keep our Christmas budget in check, but it also helps teach that Jesus is the most important thing about Christmas not more stuff.
4. Show them real poverty. This might be a bit controversial but I suggest showing them pictures of children and families in developing countries or take a family drive through a rough part of town. This will show them how blessed they really are.
A good friend of mine used to take his children to see the Christmas lights in the fancy part of town. He soon noticed that his 3 children felt disappointed and ashamed at how little their house looked compared to these, especially with the Christmas decorations. So the following year, he took them to the rough part of town which was much different scene. The kids never complain about their home or lights any more. Only when he show them how blessed they were did they truly become thankful.
A Tour of the Garrison Fort House
October 2, 2010 Leave a comment
The Garrison men decided to build today. And this is our final product. A mixture of a fort and a playhouse. Big enough for our weekly Boy Conferences.
Isaac was proud to give everyone a inside look at the Fort House.
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