You Might Be A Nerd If...

I’m a nerd. There, I said it. It’s out in the open. There’s no need to hide it anymore. For too many years I’ve even denied it myself trying to convince myself that if I buy certain clothes or hang out with certain people it wouldn’t be true. Yeah, sure everyone does that in high school, but not usually when they’re 40.

In case you’ve been wondering about your own nerd orientation, I decided to put together a list of clues that might help you come to terms with your identity.

Ten Clues You Might Be A Nerd

1. You download more podcasts than songs to your iPod.
2. Not only do you use a day planner, but you have customized it using www.diyplanner.com.
3. You buy computer bags based on their ability to store and organize your pens.
4. You read non-fiction books for fun.
5. You have a hard time getting rid of books because you’ve highlighted passages, you’ve written notes in the margins, and you are sure you’ll use them as a resource later.
6. You don’t use financial management software. You would rather put together your own customized spreadsheet with your own formulas.
7. You favorite features on your new cell phone are the calendar and the task scheduler.
8. On a Sunday afternoon, you are more excited about Tiger’s last hole birdie to win than you are about Carolina moving on to the Final Four.
9. Your wife continually makes subtle little comments like, “You’re such a nerd.”
10. You write a blog.

I ran from my identity in high school but now I can embrace it because I’ve learned that I am not an accident. I can celebrate it because I know that God made me this way for a purpose. There are things I can do for Him and His people that no one else can do. I’m special… and you are, too.

If this list describes you, I’m having a meeting next Thursday. Bring your pens.

Long Live The 80's

Let me start by saying that I love music. Every significant era in my life can be defined by music. Because I love music so much, I have to admit I also have developed a deep love for my iPod, but that’s a story for another post.

I have tried to instill my love of music in my kids and I think they are getting it. I have a playlist for them on my iPod that we listen to every morning on the way to school. I call it the “Morning Mix” so I include music that is upbeat that will get us singing, playing air guitar and air drums. Michael has even perfected some dance moves that he can do even in the confines of his seatbelt.

Some of the songs I added are my favorites from back in the 80’s (where all great music comes from). Yesterday we were listening to What I Like About You by The Romantics and I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Bryanna was dancing. That concerned me because Bryanna gets her rhythm from Stephanie (again, a topic for another post) and I was afraid that she might hurt herself or do substantial damage to the car. When I looked over at her though, she wasn’t dancing. During the chorus, “That’s what I like about you, that’s what I like about you!” she was pointing both index fingers to the ceiling as if pointing to God. She was worshipping! She was taking the lyrics of this song and redirecting them to our Father. At seeing this, a couple of thoughts ran through my head.

First, I am so thankful for our church. The programs her and Michael are involved in are making such a difference in their lives. I have noticed consistent changes in them both. For example, I have noticed a change in their prayers which are becoming less about them and the things they want and more about the needs of other people. And, I have noticed them showing more of an interest in reading their Bibles. Many times they will reach for their Bible instead of Junie B. Jones. Now this!

Secondly, it just drives home the point that there is no defined formula for worship. Worship is not directly related to a Chris Tomlin song and doesn’t have to take place in a church on Sunday. It comes from the heart and a desire to connect with God. If your heart is searching for Him, why does it surprise us to find Him in the lyrics “You’re whispering in my ear, tell me all the things that I wanna to hear”? He tells us what we want to hear. Things like, “I love you and I accept you”, “You’re not an accident. I made you with purpose”, and “I want the very best for you.”

Sometimes I forget to look for Him in the everyday things. I’m glad Bryanna and The Romantics reminded me. Long live the 80’s!

To Blog or Not To Blog

Hi, my name is Don. In my first post I want to tell you a little about my self and why I decided to start a blog.

I am the executive pastor of a small church in southwest Virginia (www.blueridgefellowship.com). I am married to Stephanie and have two kids, Bryanna and Michael. I’m sure you will get to know them better through some of my posts.

It’s a little intimidating to start writing a blog. First of all, I think it’s presumptuous to think that anyone would want to read it. With so many good writers out there, why would anyone want to read my blog? Also, I am opening myself up to criticism of my thoughts, ideas and beliefs. Am I crazy to even consider it? Yes. But, here’s why I am doing it anyway:

• I have loved to write for a long time. In high school I was a features writer for the high school paper. After that I didn’t write for a long time until about 5 years ago when I went back to college to get my bachelor’s degree. I had a psychology professor that required us to write three entries each week in a journal. Through that I rediscovered my love for writing and since then I have continued keeping a journal. I am not saying that I am a good writer, I’m just saying I like to write. I like creativity and I like humor.
• I think that it will help me look at events in my life a little differently. In other words, I think it will help me look for a different angle, a lesson to learn, something to share in the everyday happenings of my life.
• Hopefully, it will make me look more critically at my writing and improve over time.

Some of my posts will be about what I am learning in my daily quiet time, others will be about family life and simple observations. I look forward to getting started.

Man, this first one sucked didn’t it?