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Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC - The End

Joe Thorn has finished a day of photoblogging, and it's time for me to close out my day of live-blogging (which, by the way, was lived nowhere near the SBC in San Antonio).  I'm still nowhere near San Antonio.  I'm not getting closer to home, or farther from San Antonio.  I'm just here, where I've been.

I heard a movie podcast tonight, worked on Matthew 5:13-16 for next Sunday, and still haven't had a Double Stuf Cool Mint Creme Oreo.  Right before bed is the wrong time to have my first, so I will close the day with an empty stomach.  Maybe I will savor my first tomorrow.

I was reminded tonight, through the most ordinary of circumstances, that I really love my wife deeply.  Man, so much.  I love her and my kids so much that sometimes it hurts.  I'm continually gripped with the feeling that the loss of any of them would rip my heart into so many pieces that it may never function properly again.  But that's love, isn't it?  If life weren't so good now, and if these jewels in my breastplate weren't so priceless to me now, the pain that might ever come my way should they go missing would not be all that bad.  It has taken brain surgery to make that clearer than ever, and I'm very thankful for the scalpel that is hovering on our horizon.

Geez that sounded cheesy.  But the cheese here is without question not nearly as cheesy as the 2007 SBC in San Antonio must have been in the eyes of those who have eyes to see.  Our denominational affairs are so self-important.  Our denominational decisions are so over-hyped.  So I'm grateful to God that He allowed me the chance to live-blog here, which may as well be a million miles from ballots and reports and messengers and SBC celebrities. 

May God help us all to vote for the right things, at the right times, for the right reasons.  And may we vote first for Jesus, our Prophet, Priest, and King.  And then for our families, our local congregations, and our local communities, who need to the kind of preaching that reveals a spiritual poverty that will lead them to follow Jesus with heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Signing off, from anywhere but San Antonio, good evening.

Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC - Part 7

As I put up my seventh post today, I want welcome you to the most perfect live-blogging post ever.  It's not perfect like Johnny Hunt's tan perfect, or Bobby Welch's F.A.I.T.H. acronym perfect, or Bobby Welch's bus perfect, or Bobby Welch's dead frog illustration perfect.  Those are actually perfect.  This is just perfect because I like to imagine I do something perfect from time to time.

We went to Wal-Mart tonight to load up on essentials so that when Molly heads to surgery we will be well stocked.  I was looking for a good outdoor chair to buy, something comfortable for our backyard.  But I just couldn't decide.  They also had an $80 little gazebo canopy that looked simple to build and tear down.  But I just didn't have $80 to spare.  It was blue, in case you needed to picture it in your head.

Here are a few things we purchased...

- Five packs of Scott's Moist Wipes (or as we call it, "butt wipe")
- Two packages of IAMS cat food: Indoor Weight and Hairball Care for Calvin (had a $5 off coupon)
- Got2b Glued Hair Glue (for me, and Elijah's "shark" hairdo)
- Country Crock Churn Style
- DoubleStuf Oreo Cool Mint Creme

Ahh, a good day of shopping.  Then we let the boys ride those $.50 horse or car rides that the kids seem to love so much.  You know, the ones that break the bank and they barely move.  For $.50 the bull Jack was riding should buck him right on his keister.  But alas, it was too tame.

Molly was dragging by the time we were done, and wondering if her two better days were all she would experience.  Hopefully tomorrow will be another.

I just received the latest list of articles from Baptist Press and can't help but remember that after a few years of attending the SBC (and this year being nowhere near the SBC in San Antonio) I have never felt BP did a good job of reporting.  They help you know what those in power want you to know.  They give you the majority spin.  But they aren't about the real news.  I honestly don't mean that as a cut-down to BP.  I just wish they would say what they are and be ok with that.  As it is they don't seem genuine, and that hurts my feelings.  Ok, it doesn't.  But it should.

This year I have been getting my SBC in San Antonio news from BP & ABP (grain of salt) and from friends who are calling me with info (which is usually both funny and right on).

Let me also say that as I sit here far from San Antonio, I'm not thinking of Tim Ellsworth, or Marty Duren, or Scott Lamb, or Scott Slayton, or any of my SBC blogging friends.  I'm not thinking of Al Mohler, or Russ Moore, or Danny Akin, or O.S. Hawkins, or Ed Stetzer, or Frank Page, or that guy who finally won an election in the SBC and then abused some letterhead.  I'm not thinking of how many great books are on the LifeWay discount tables because SBC'rs don't buy good books.  I'm not thinking of how we pass resolutions thanking the President of the United States for liberating Iraq or sharing appreciation Ronald Reagan and brush off thoughtful, biblical and important resolutions by Tom Ascol.  I'm not thinking about reasons why I love us, but reasons why I hate us.

Honestly, with all truth, I'm thinking of my Double Stuf Cool Mint Creme Oreos that my wife has set next to me.  And I'm thinking that if I were in San Antonio, and I'm not, I'm nowhere near San Antonio, I wouldn't be enjoying 2 cookies at 150 calories and 7g of fat.  I just might eat 4.

See Joe Thorn's dinner pic.

Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC - Part 6

Wow, it's just after 5pm and there is still so much of the day left!  Ladies and Gents, I'm coming to you live from my backyard via home-based wifi which just happens to be not even slightly close to the SBC messenger clapfest in San Antonio, Texas.  I'm swatting the flies and enjoying the heat of the sun on a perfect summerish day.  Looks like Joe Thorn is doing the same in his backyard.

Question: Is this the first time the SBC has been held outside the U.S.?  Question: How hard was it for those of you who traveled to Texas to get a visa?  I've never had to get one.

Speaking of flies, I'm so glad I'm not down there swatting the flies of legalism and jerkwadism.  I'm glad I'm not hearing the seminary presidents, those "hornets," buzzing in my ears.  I'm glad I'm not getting the life-blood sucked out of me by every silly motion and discussion.  I'm glad I'm nowhere near the 2007 SBC and very near to my family (including my wife, who is smokin' hot), close to my church, and in the rays of pleasant sunshine. 

I'm also glad I'm not reading many of "the bloggers."  You know, I don't think a single blogger who is detailing the SBC is in my Google Reader.  I just realized that.  Honestly, while I call some of "the bloggers" friends, I'm just not like them.  I don't want what they want, I don't want to get it they way they want to get it, etc.  When most who aren't bloggers in the SBC talk about "the bloggers," I know they aren't really talking about me.  Maybe a few are from time to time, but for the most part they are talking about guys who are very much not like me.  Some guys (and gals) are trying to change the SBC with newsy posts and political pressure and insider information.  I'm just not that guy.  Enough on that.

After leaving "the bucks" at 3pm I came home and changed into some shorts.  Actually my blue shorts, my Dr. Pepper T-shirt (which I've worn at some point in each of the last three days), and my Dr. Martens flip-flops.  Oh, and my Cubs hat, worn with pride. 

At the church I delivered up some burgers and dogs on the grill for Market Day workers and their kids.  For a bit longer they are delivering goods to folks who are buying food and supporting local schools.  I enjoy finding new ways to serve my community, and always feel like I could/should do more.

I currently have this song stuck in my head, so I've had a direct IV of The Album Leaf to cure me.  Delightful music, worth checking out.

I also have been dealing with a full email inbox today. Lots of folks with encouraging, prayerful emails for me and for Molly.  Those have really helped me.  It's also been helpful today to see my wife walking without help.  She has been using a cane or holding my arm when walking for several days (nausea, numbness, balance, weakness issues).  Yesterday and today has been her first opportunity to walk on her own for a while.  And she also drove to Aldi!  She hasn't driven for a couple of weeks because of fear that she would not be able to react or be strong enough to do what's necessary.  It's been a good day.

And now I'm sipping a Coca-Cola from a can and heading over to the church to help them finish up in the next 30 minutes or so.  More later.

Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC - Part 5

Heyo!  I'm live, just about on my way out of a Starbucks that isn't anywhere near San Antonio or fat SBC'rs in little coats.  I'm not leaving any Crossover San Antonio tracks on the tables here, and I'm not reporting the many spurious conversions that have happened in Starbucks since I sat down here late this morning.  And unlike what's happening in San Antonio I'm not judging the post-punk-ish music on the loudspeaker, the Mitch Albom book for sale, the girl with the multi-colored hair or the pastor working in his blue jeans (oh wait, that's me!).

It's been a hard workday here with many interruptions.  All good interruptions.  But still didn't get enough done.  I'll do more tonight.  The interruptions have included good friends wanting to get up to date on Molly and future surgery, and a woman in town who is helping organize aid for victims of a local (non-San Antonio) apartment fire.

Headed now to our house to get our grill and drag it to our church.  We are letting our local schools use the church this summer to distribute Market Day stuff and they want to cook out for the volunteer workers. 

For the record I've talked to Joe Thorn on the phone 4 times in the last 4 hours.  Pretty normal really for me and my "boyfriend." 

More updates on this amazing, life-changing, non-SBC attending day coming soon.  And I'm certain to encounter no southern accents, no chicken fried anything that isn't chicken, no Soul Force protesters, and no pastor's wives wearing more makeup than Marilyn Manson.

Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC - Part 4

Once again, I'm coming to you live from not San Antonio, not from the SBC.  I'm not filing through lines of guys waiting for a urinal.  I'm not wondering where to get a vending machine Coke for less than $3.  And I'm not looking through the crowd to catch of glimpse of some SBC celeb.  I'm not looking Mark Dever with his 400 disciples.  I'm not searching the myriad of hair impaired to catch the twinkle Ergun Caner's cranium.  I'm just not because I'm not there, I'm here. 

Just before my devotional time I was interrupted by another pastor in town who came into Starbucks for his fix.  We talked about his new church building and all the problems they are having.  We talked about my wife and all the problems she's having.  He's a good guy and I'm glad to know him.

After my devotional time I got a call from my wife.  She has been doing much better with her balance issues in the last two days and wants to try to drive to Aldi.  I gave her the "ok" and we'll see how she does.  Glad to hear she's moving a bit better.

I'm still finishing up some busy work now, all that stuff they don't teach you in seminary.  I'll be working straight through 3pm and then I'll be at my church.  But I'll be sure to keep you up to date with stuff there too. 

And as I work I'm not thinking about San Antonio.  I'm not thinking about what they will vote on that will once again make it more difficult to be a "Southern Baptist."  I'm not thinking about last year's alcohol resolution or my similar tendency to be a jerk-hole fundamentalist.  I'm not thinking about how I wish I could pose with Joe Thorn for another photo. 

And since I'm live-blogging not in San Antonio, I'm definitely not thinking about how much I miss my family.

Joe Thorn is still live photoblogging his day.

Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC - Part 3

Hi there.  Steve here, once again live-blogging nowhere near the SBC in San Antonio.  Yep, that means as lunchtime approaches I'm not waiting for a table at a chain restaurant (Lone Star or something similar) with 75 other messengers hoping to get a ginormous loaded baked potato.  Instead I am still at Starbucks, now headed into a devotional time. 

I have a small ESV Bible that I use for devotional reading and sermon work.  I also carry a pocket Moleskine for journaling.  I will read my sermon passage (Matthew 5:13-16) as well as from Proverbs, Psalms, and 1 Thessalonians.

By the way, today is a gorgeous day here in non-San Antonio.  No clouds, brilliant blue sky, barely a breeze, temps in the 80's.  Gotta love it.  When I walked out of the house this morning I took a deep breath, looked into the trees and smiled.  No, seriously.  I do that a lot on beautiful days.

Off to my Bible.  Nothing new from Joe at the moment.  Coming soon I'm sure.

Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC - Part 2

Hey, I'm absolutely nowhere near the SBC in San Antonio as I write this.  I'm nowhere near people saying LifeWay should not sell the Narnia books, or resolutions created merely to make a point that isn't actually stated in the resolution, or evangelists in canary-yellow suits, or shofars. 

But I am near a piping hot cup of coffee (well, it's a grande skim 3 pump extra-hot with whip mocha actually).  I also received a free, large piece of Starbucks classic coffee cake because they couldn't fit it in the display case (photos via my camera phone).  I'm not sure if I'm going to eat it or not.  I already tried to give it to someone, but they weren't hungry.

On the way here I started up some Miranda Lambert in the car, but then realized I should call Joe Thorn and see what he's doing.  In case you were wondering, Joe is much more important than country music.

Right now I'm working first on some "busy work" like creating our weekly church bulletin and PowerPoint.  After that I expect to do some sermon work on Matthew 5:13-16 for this Sunday.  I'm listening to The Innocence Mission: We Walked in Song.  Wonderful music.  Talk with you again soon.

Joe has another entry as he photoblogs his day.

Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC

Hello!  Thanks for reading as I live-blog all day today.  I'm absolutely nowhere near the SBC in San Antonio, but I knew that some of you who have gotten use to me and Joe Thorn blogging the SBC (2005, 2006) would be in withdrawal.  So we have decided to live-blog throughout the day so that you have some relief from the absurdity of what is happening in San Antonio.  I'm live-blogging my day, and Joe Thorn is photoblogging his day (Joe's first and second and third post).

I woke up late today with no meetings to go to, no sessions starting, no hotel wake-up call to get me out of my bed.  I was a little tired because I stayed up late last night to watch Letters from Iwo Jima.  Some movie.

And Molly postponed waking me because she wanted to wake me up to the smell of bacon and eggs on the table.  Yeah buddy.  Molly and Sarah made the goods, and Elijah and Daniel wanted to sneak a bit of bacon early, so Mom had them set the table for a strip apiece.  Then we all sat together, sang a song of thankfulness, and devoured eggs, bacon, english muffins, and a fruit bowl (pineapple, apples, bananas).  Delicious.  We also played "20 Questions," a favorite table game for our family where we take turns thinking up a person, place, or thing and then ask questions to figure it out.  When we sit at the table we often take our time and enjoy one another.

I took an extra-warm shower to provide me some relief from my back issues, and it felt good.  Oh, and I washed myself too.  I put on some jeans and a button up short-sleeved shirt and and am leaving to go to my local coffee shop to get some work done.  I spent a few minutes talking with Molly first, to see how she is feeling today.  She is doing worse than yesterday, but better than two days ago.

Off to the coffee shop.