Responding

So, I realize that I've been away from the computer for a few extra days than my initial focus of multiple posts in a week. My apologies. Today is a fantastic day, coming off the heels of a celebration and remembrance of a phenomenal leader who I believe would be crying and smiling ear to ear with Obama's inauguration earlier today. I won't expound on the varying emotions and things I'm feeling currently...I'll just let each of us cherish, reject, or embrace the past 48 hours for everything they are.

I will leave you with some neat thoughts that came from an e-mail that one of our Bammel elders sent me. It's simple and profound, and I pray that it just encourages you a little bit.


A FEW THINGS GOD WON'T ASK on that day.

1...God won't ask what kind of car you drove, He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
2...God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3...God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
4...God won't ask what your highest salary was, He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5...God won't ask what your job title was, He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
6...God won't ask how many friends you had, He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
7...God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
8...God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character.

Coming Soon (I promise): My top 10 movies of 2008, and my most anticipated movies of 2009.

Bartee's Back!

Well friends, there's just no excusing it. I have slacked and failed many of you that still take just a few moments in your week to check this site for my ramblings. So, while I won't make empty promises and say that I'll be 100% faithful to a daily update, what I can assure you is this: I plan on making smaller, more random and fun posts more frequently...don't misunderstand, I plan on having the somewhat theological commentary-esque posts about all things spiritual more often than not, but let's have some laughter, too, shall we?

So here goes...one of my Christmas gifts I received this year was a daily calender from The Office. Each day has a quote that just takes me back to the show and makes me laugh, some days more violently than others. I compiled just a sampling from the first 2 weeks of the year, and I'd invite you to compare this collection versus any application Facebook can create. I'll provide a few of these a week for your enjoyment...just remember to not become the silent killer.

January 1 - "So Ryan got promoted to corporate, where he's a little fish in a big pond. Whereas back here in Scranton I'm still top dog in a fairly large pond. So who is the real boss, the dog or a fish?" (Michael)

January 3/4 - "Almost marrying Roy Anderson was as close to Pamela Anderson as I ever want to be." (Pam)

January 5 - "Ever since I was a kid, people have been telling me that I can't do things. You can't be on the team, you can't move on to second grade. Well, now they're telling me that I can't win back clients using old-fashioned business methods. We'll see about that. And FYI, I eventually aced second grade, and I was the biggest kid in class." (Michael)

January 8 - "Ladies and gentlemen, I have some bad news. Meredith was hit by a car...It happened this morning in the parking lot. I took her to the hospital. The doctors tried to save her life, they did the best that they could...and she is going to be okay." (Michael)

January 9 - "You're over forty. That's the cut-off. Are you listening to what he's saying? Retraining, new system, youth. I'm telling you, this kid is the grim reaper. You deal with this, or you, me, Sammy, Phyllis, the chick you hit with the car--we're goners." (Creed, to Michael)

January 10/11 - "Yes, money has been a little bit tight lately. But, at the end of my life, when I'm sitting on my yacht, am I going to be thinking about how much money I have? No. I'm going to be thinking about how many friends that I have. And my children. And my comedy albums. I mean, I have a yacht so I obviously did pretty well money-wise." (Michael)

January 12 - "I signed up for Second Life about a year ago. Back then, my life was so great that I literally wanted a second one. In my Second Life, I was also a paper salesman and I was also named Dwight. Absolutely everything was the same, except I could fly." (Dwight)

Coming later this week: My top 10 movies of 2008 & top 10 movies I'm pumped about in 2009.

Politics (updated)

So, we're underway...voting is commencing everywhere, and there's just a certain excitement in the air today. Or is that uneasiness? Or perhaps hope...or maybe frustration? It's hard to pinpoint exactly what is floating around Americans today, but there's something.

I wanted to just offer a few things to consider as you vote today, or watch the election coverage, and when you engage in political discussions with neighbors. co-workers, family members, and friends. Listed below are 2 different articles and 1 statement from an e-mail which I find to be great food for thought. I don't claim to support any of these writings 100%, but inside each of them are tones, ideas, beliefs, and wisdom which I believe to be important moving forward beyond today.

My hope is that we'll all aim to have perspective...to seek to understand where each other is coming from and why. The thing that's already bumming me out the most about this election day is the attitude of disappointment and criticism that's brewing from many claiming Christ. What's that all about? (you may apply your Mark Wahlberg voice with that question if you like)

What tragic behavior as believers to frown, judge, second-guess someone because their party lines don't add up with yours. Can't we just celebrate the freedom in disagreement, opinion, and viewpoint? I'm confident moving forward that if the man I voted for does not win, I'm not going to be sour about it...I will pray and support who is selected to lead. I have less confidence in the opposite of that scenario, already seeing distaste on Facebook, blogs, and e-mails. Isn't this just humans electing humans? When did we become overwhelmed with entitlement?

I'm done with my words, and I'm excited for what's ahead. May you find perspective from what you read below.

One strong view of this: extreme.

A differing view I find fascinating: contemplative.

And finally, this was a statement by a well respected leader I know who is a member/elder in the Church of Christ. He articulates all of this very well in my opinion.

"I agree that this is not an ordinary Presidential election, but then again, it is; it happens every four years. As hard as it is for some to believe, many intelligent Christians are voting for Obama, and, as hard as it is for some others to believe, many intelligent Christians are voting for McCain. This is not a referendum between good and evil. It’s an election between two flawed politicians, each of whom has an agenda that supports the work of Christ in some respects and works against it in some respects. We do not want to convey the message that one must vote a certain way to be a Christian. Even, no especially, when partisan passions are at their highest, let’s not confuse our party with the body of Christ, at least not when publicly representing ________.
I’m _________ and I approve this message."

So wherever you find yourself in this struggle to represent Christ in all you do (including democracy), may you be guided by His spirit. My prayer is that you consider numbers, issues, character, morals, family, basically the whole enchilada. We shouldn't have unreasonable expectations, but I sense that we also shouldn't zero in on just a couple things from each candidate that defines our choice...just my opinion. God's blessings be on our next leader, and may we commit to prayer for whatever is ahead...the bad and the good...because they will both be present at the table for the next 4 years. Peace.

Ten Things Tuesday

So basically, I was reading on a few friends' blogs, and they had this thing that on every Tuesday, they'd list 10 things they wanted to thank God for. Now, I do recognize that I may stand alone in my gender for embracing this cool weekly concept, but here goes:

1. Coldplay - watching them on SNL last week got me excited to see them in concert in mid-November. They played 3.5/4 songs! (which is unheard of, save they had to scrap some skits 'cause Amy Poehler went into labor, or they had a weak no-name host, or maybe they've just arrived at a similar place of respect in pop culture) Did anyone notice that upon the conclusion of the song Yellow, Chris Martin said into the microphone, "Barack Obama?"
2. EA Playground on Wii - My brother Payton and I discovered this little game over the weekend, and it is amazing! Just ridiculously fun for anyone who's ever walked or driven past a group of elementary kids playing at recess and wanted to go back in time for just a moment...well, my friends, now you can. Go check it out and discover you're own fun.
3. Fireproof - We went and caught a matinee of this Christian film and were impressed. Personally, if you can get past a few over-dramatic, awkward-acted, low-film-budget-moments, you'll be fine. Actually, the film inspired, challenged, encouraged, and prompted me to reflection and action in my marriage...and that was my take-away, not the movie being preachy.
4. Mighty to Save - So who cares if it's not as repetitively played as How Great is Our God, but for a foreign, LIVE anthem of praise, Hillsong's beauty is doing mighty fine. It's my daughter's most requested song at the moment, and I couldn't be happier about that.
5. Golf - Once I vowed never to embrace this silly game with a bunch of metal sticks, a little white ball, and a grassy adventure. It seems I was wrong--this game is a blast.
6. Disney Channel - No, they're not perfect, but their shows try to be as family sensitive as they can, while striving to be successful and creative. Miley Cyrus and the crew may be flawed, but in some strange ways I'm glad my daughter is excited about them rather than Bratz or boys or something else. My favorite new show on DIS is Studio DC, which stars many of the DIS youngsters and THE MUPPETS! It's like a spoof of a spoof on SNL, and it's pretty good so far.
7. Deacon Jack - While he is in this ridiculous phase of staggered sleep in the PM hours, his personality is coming alive during all the hours in between. He smiles, laughs, reaches out and grabs things, slobbers, recognizes, and snuggles in just the coolest ways. I am very blessed to have a son alongside my little Shiloh princess.
8. College Football - I don't consider myself a hardcore fan of this, but isn't it just the coolest thing to know that the eyes of America are on our state because of UT and Tech? Saturday's game could be the best game of the entire fall thus far.
9. Herdez Salsa - We discovered this at Wal-mart. I love making my own, fresh salsa when I'm able to...but for something quick and easy, this stuff is amazing. To date it's the best store-bought salsa we've ever had...I'm wondering if the fact that the label informed me it was created in Mexico has anything to do with it (that's a compliment, friends)...
10. Abba - Some of you have been fans for a long time, I get that. However, I'm just beginning my journey with them, and of course, it's after seeing Mamma Mia this summer with Carly and Deacon. (side note: I've got a soft spot for WELL DONE Musicals on Film--Sweeney Todd, Chicago, and possibly Les Miserables. However, King Leonitus does not a Phantom of the Opera make.) Among the songs I'm currently diggin' the most are Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia, of course...but I Have a Dream is just spell-bindingly spiritual.

Thanks for humoring me by reading, my friends, and thanks for inspiring me all you faithful blogging mommas out there. Grace, peace, and blessings on your faith and families.

Prayer

A very simple, very profound entry today.

Last night at church, Shiloh felt warm...as a precaution we did not allow her to get near Deacon's face or hands until we could assess better what was going on. The whole ride home, she was quite pleasant and mellow, and she even asked very politely, "Daddy, you're going to take care of me?" She knew she was not well, and this was one of the first times I'd heard such a simple and basic an expression of faith. When we got home and took her temperature, it was a blazing 102. Yikes.

After a brief stint in the bath, dosage of medicine, pajamas, and then in bed, it was time for prayers before lights out. I didn't think she would want to pray, but she did. This is what she said:

"Dear God, thank you for this day. Please help me feel better, so I can touch Deacon again."

Tears formed...and I'm still reflecting on the purest of prayers from such a pure heart. I'm not going to expound on all the implications for our lives from her prayer...I think you can form your own. If you'd like to share that with our family, we'd be honored. Have a great week.

Politics

I suspect I'm not the first and certainly won't be the last to express their thoughts in reaction to last night's debate and the upcoming election. I'm just ready to get a few things out there about what I'm seeing, observing, and my shallow perspective on this whole political thing.

Am I the only one to notice that anytime the White House is up for grabs, people just get weird? Like, if a president is up for re-election, then it's very much a "mild salsa" feel. But when you have a wide-open race, something a little more heated comes to the surface. It's as though there's this stored up angst that spills out through conversations, judgements, and opinions.

The other day after our Children's Worship ("ROCK"), I was approached by a member at our church I've known a long time. He was very kind as he asked me why I was an Obama supporter. I was kind of surprised at where he'd heard that, and also that it was a forgone conclusion that I was in his corner outright. He told me that someone had mentioned to him it was on my Facebook. So I went and looked at my Facebook page last night.

Under my visual bookshelf, The Audacity of Hope is listed as a book I'm currently reading. I received that book as a gift from my wife for Christmas, and it's just been taking me forever to read it...the 2-3 chapters are excellent, but you and I both know how eloquent and wordy Barack is, and so it's not an easy read. I would like to just suggest that although I read the book of someone I find fascinating doesn't make me their die-hard supporter. I cannot stand Bill Maher, and I don't want to give him a dime of my $$, but something in my spirit is curious to see his negative, cynical perspective on church and faith in his new documentary Religious.

What I can respect is being secure enough in your convictions to not mess with things like Obama's books, Maher's movies and the like. But what goes with that is also the respect for those who desire to see the world in all its reality, gaining perspective from differing worldviews. This is why I even bother to listen to debates and engage in conversations with folks about politics, much to my own demise!

Speaking of conversations...when I've discussed this election with many of my friends and family members who are by-n-large Republicans, I've been rather surprised at their lack of enthusiasm for their candidate. In fact, not really any of those conversations have sought to promote McCain, Palin, and everything they're about. Rather what I consistently hear is how Obama is evil, how they're afraid of him. I guess the timeless strategy of if you're mediocre on your party's guy, bash the other guy until your guy looks a little better. This is just silly. It's not very compelling to choose the lesser of 2 evils.

I will make no excuses for Obama's position on abortion, and the many ramifications of those choices. I'm a fan of life all the way around. I also understand that traditionally the President isn't looked upon to be the standard of all things moral and good...as Christians we may want that, but let's be honest, it's probably not going to happen. I'm not exercising cynicism, but rather just reminding myself that my hope rests in Jesus, and all that he stands for as a leader. Maybe I need to read Claiborne's new book, Jesus for President to better formulate what I mean.

I'm impressed with McCain's perseverance and courage. He's not afraid to be unpopular, while Obama seems to ride the waves of pop culture to have conversations about his positions. Yet every time Obama's morality is questioned, I cannot help but reflect on the fact that no one talks about McCain's flawed past...his failed marriage and affair are not exactly the stuff of wholesome conservative values. So, it seems to me there is disappointment for both men on both sides. What to do?

I know our hope rests in Jesus, and I believe that no matter who is the President of the U.S. for the next 4 years, in no way should that discourage my faith in God and His power. I personally commit to pray for whoever leads our nation next, and I guess the follow-up prayer to that would be that people would just support the U.S., no questions asked. Wouldn't that be the true testimony of patriotism...to get behind America, no matter who's at the helm, rather than pout, take our ball and go home when we don't get our way, when our candidate or party isn't victorious?

As I told one family member recently, I may just be allergic to politics. May we all come to a place where we vote with our heads and our hearts. May we ultimately trust that the God of the Universe is bigger than this election, and may we follow the footsteps of our one true leader, Christ Jesus...He's the only one worth all of our energies anyway.

10 Things I Think

(Sigh.) Aahh. What a life, I tell ya. The pace of the last 3 1/2 weeks has moved rather fast, and so much so that I looked up and noticed it'd been nearly a month since my last blog post...since Deacon's birth and our big name reveal. (Which by the way, was a blast for us--thanks to all who had some fun with the clues and such!)
That being said, I'd like to just post a sort of back-to-normal entry that might help paint a picture of what I've been up to lately and how I'm now seeing the world around me with a family of four. Yahtzee!

10 Things I Think...

1) Robin Hood on BBC is a solid show about my boyhood idol. Not to mention the fact the lead role is played by a guy named Jonas, which I finally informed my parents was just a finalist in the sweepstakes for our son's eventual name.

My personal favorite rob-from-the-rich-and-give-to-the-poor-show of all time is Robin of Sherwood from the 1980's starring Michael Praed. Outstanding theatre, folks, I assure you.

2) Sand Volleyball and Lenny's Sub Shop are my sleeper sport & restaurant, respectively, of the summer. A few things to remember: you get a nasty, outstanding workout from moving all over the court...and at any Lenny's you can get a Kid's Meal which consists of a 4 1/2 inch sub, chips, regular sized drink, and a cookie for an additional $1.00 to all of you out there over the age of 11. It's madness, I say.


3) My wife justs get more beautiful everyday... sleep-deprived, juggling 2 munchkins, tolerating my silliness--how does she do it and manage to still glow? I love her to infinity and beyond.


4) There should be a limit on the number of chapters a book can have. Recently I was standing in the line @ Jason's Deli waiting to pay when I noticed a woman reading a "novel" that had an average of amount of pages. As she turned the page, I saw the chapter she was beginning...chapter 62. Good grief, the book didn't look that special. I mean, come on: Psalms, This Present Darkness, a couple Stephen King scarefest reads, and that's it. End of story. Anything else is just slavery to words that you could probably do without.


5) I'll man up and say it = I wish Christopher Nolan had chosen the Superman franchise. The Dark Knight just looks ridiculous, doesn't it? Look how far we've come from Chris O'Donnell stealing the batmobile and fighting the In Living Color Fly Girls! Only Nolan could have rescued my Man of Steel from the shame that was Richard Pryor. I'll leave it at that. And for the lot of you who simply cannot wait for Thursday @ Midnight, here's the first 6 minutes of the TDK. Heath Ledger has won me over as the Joker me thinks.

6) If you're planning on being in the sun for hours on end, I must advise heavy, repetitive sunscreen at all costs. I learned this the hard way a week ago as I applied moderate amounts of sunscreen, only to be destroyed by the end of the day. Currently, I am shedding like a boa constrictor on my chest, belly, and back...leaving traces of my skin debacle everywhere I go. Cheers and warnings. I suspect a post coming soon from the famous graduation speech turned One-Hit-Wonder song "Sunscreen." Stay tuned.


7) It might seem silly, but we're going to refer to our son with his actual name. This is quite amusing: there's been a trend of reactions to Deacon's name, and I've figured out that the disparity might have something to do with age. By my best estimations, most people under the age of 55 warmly accept Deacon's name and many think it's cool and unique. Yay for them. However, on more than a few occasions, some sweet folks over the age of 55 have asked what we're going to call our son...like, "Jack," or "DJ," or servant (kidding). One supporting note of my age theory is the church factor: there could be a struggle to accept a little baby boy named after a title/honor of service to others. I respect it, understand it, and give grace to all those involved. Just remember this...I never raised questions when your grandchild was given the name of a city I may have visited.


8) I need to get me some Facebook flair...I'm way behind.


9) Wall-E is the best movie of the Summer so far. Period. So far...



10) I absolutely love that I can say these 4 words now: "My son" & "The kids." Nothing is cooler than that.