Middle Reader

My friends in the academic world call me a "middle reader." Thats because I read a little bit of everything. It's not unusual for me (in the same week) to read a commentary on one of Paul's letters written by Gordon Fee or N.T. Wright and then read through a New York Times best selling fictional novel. I love to read. My main interest has been in New Testament theology and other spiritual topics such as pain and suffering, prayer and the spiritual disciplines (some of my favorite authors are Henri Nouwen, Walter Brueggemann, C.S. Lewis, N.T. Wright, Ann Lamont, Barbara Brown Taylor and many others). However, in the past few years I have really enjoyed secular fiction...I'm a sucker for a New York Times best seller (especially the ones with quirky titles). And I got to tell you...at times I get as much or more out of one of those then I do when reading something classified as "spiritual" or "religious." One of the best sermon ideas I have ever had came after reading "The Kite Runner" (New York Times best seller) a moving story about forgiveness and reconciliation. Another one that impacted me for months was "The Color of Law."

I recently finished "The Art of Racing in the Rain." I picked this book up because of its creativity (its written from the perspective of a dog). It was a great book. Its about a family of 3; father, mother and little daughter (and of course the dog). The mother gets cancer and suffers a long and painful death. Her in-laws then want sole custody of the little girl and the father is devastated. He is trying to make it as a NASCAR racer and is very busy and travels a lot. However, he loves his little girl more than life itself and drops everything to fight for her. The little girl so badly wants to be with her father but the grandparents "frame" him and he gets accused of sexually harassing a 15 year old girl. The grandparents are very wealthy and hire powerful attorneys. The father sells everything he has (including his house) and lives in his car just to afford legal counsel.

He eventually gets custody and is reunited with his daughter...but there are many twists and turns along the way that leave the reader impacted for weeks to come.

This summer has been a difficult one. Work is hard, my Dad has had some health concerns and I have a dear friend in Seattle that's fighting for his life. However, when I get the chance...my favorite way to relax and wind down is to sit in my leather chair (or up north on Lake Michigan!) and read a good book. I just need to meet a friend that owns a Barnes and Nobles because books can be expensive!!!!

Suggestions:
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Water for Elephants
The Tender Bar
The Tricky Part
The Color of Law
The Kite Runner
Riding the Bus With My Sister
Jesus Land
Clapton (autobiography)
Father Joe
The Road
The Five People You Meet In Heaven
The Year of Magical Thinking
And many, many more...!

" I'll Go "

"I'll Go." Two of the wisest words I have ever said.

I was 19 years old and a Freshman at Abilene Christian University in West Texas. The spring semester was winding down which meant spring football practice was too. I still remember the conversation as well as the setting. I stayed late after practice to run some routes and catch some passes as the quarterbacks (who were competing for next years starting spot) worked on their timing. I walked into the football locker room to take off my pads and shower; most of the players were already cleaned up, clowning around and heading off to dinner. A sophomore transfer linebacker from Boise State (and only other player on the 100 member squad not from Texas) named Travis Bass was walking out of the locker room as I was walking in. I had just sat down at my locker to take off my pads and cleats when Travis made an announcement to all the fellas in my section of the locker room. He said, "Hey, when school is out I will be driving back to Seattle and I'm going to take the scenic route...anyone want to come with me?" On an impulse...and almost without hesitation I said..."I'll go." He said, "Great, I'll wait for you in the hallway and we'll go to the Bean together (the "Bean" is the cafeteria at ACU).

We ate that night together and then went back to his dorm room and talked most of the night. Although we had been teammates all spring (I transfered in second semester) we had never hung out and didn't know each other that well. We lived in separate dorms and because he played defense and I played offense we rarely interacted in practice (not to mention he was on first team and I was fighting for a spot on second team). However, we ended up hanging out every night the rest of the semester getting to know each other and planning our trip.

I still remember the day he drove his little blue Honda Civic to pick me up in my room as we headed off...the car was literally packed from top to bottom...every nook and cranny. We left Abilene and headed for Albuquerque, New Mexico...our first stop among many.

We drove thousands of miles and visited 11 states on our way to Seattle. That trip remains one of the highlights of my life...I still reflect on and cherish the memories that were made during those two weeks. Too many stories to even begin to tell in this post.

All that to say, saying those two words was one of the best decisions I ever made. Travis was and still is one of my most special mentors and friends. Since that trip we have spent countless hours together.

I could write pages about how our relationship blossomed since that day in 1994 and maybe one day I will. For now...I'm just grateful that I said..."I'll go."

Travis has been very ill lately. His medical doctor diagnosed him with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). He is fighting and I expect him to get stronger and recover...

...we have more trips to take.