Your Memorial

MAY 30 - JUN 5 2010 — YOUR MEMORIAL — ISSUE 156

I thought holidays were supposed to be leave you revived and ahead of schedule? Then again, I usually have to work holidays, so maybe I just don't know how to use them. Honestly, things are a bit of a mess right now, so bear with me this week. I can't find a June calendar, so no promises on the accuracy of the week's agenda, (though I'm pretty sure I got the big events) not that it matters since it's already Wednesday, and the week is nearly over. With calenders, "better late than never" really doesn't work.

Sunday, Ryan gave a great message challenging us to walk with passion in our faith, and to have that same fervent desire for God that great men like Steven had. Using this Holiday where we remember those fallen in battle as a spring board, he simply reminded us of past soldiers in the good fight.

This week I simply want to encourage you to take that challenge and to dig deep into your motivation and inspiration. What is your primary focus right now? What's driving you? What goals do you have?  How strong is your desire to see the Kingdom grow? We live in the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave", and we've set aside a day for those who have fallen to uphold those words. But if you were to die now, what would you be memorialized for? And to that end, what would the epitaph of the Toledo Church of Christ be, and how have you contributed?

PSALM 112:6-7 - NIV

Brett "If someone texts you and says 'Are you alive?', that's probably not a compliment to your communication skills is it?" Hibbler

Go Green p2

MAY 23 - MAY 29 2010 — GO GREEN part two — ISSUE 155

Last week I talked about environmental topics and failed to even mention that right now there are a gazillion gallons of oil being pumped into the ocean, and after 33 days we still can't figure out how to stop it. Does anyone else wonder if they ever really tried their emergency plans, or if they were just theoretical solutions on paper? I'd like to assume they're telling the truth when they say the depth of the leak is the reason for the unsuccessful cleanup, but if Tuesday's new plan doesn't work, maybe they should try SNL's advice (more of a mockery really):  scotch tape mops to dolphins. It certainly couldn't be any less effective than their "Top Hat" and "Giant Tube" plans, and it would make a great reality TV show on NBC for the summer season.

Last week I also talked about how we sometimes refrain from making small stands in our lives because of public perception and the belief that those little stands probably won't make much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. Things like refusing to join in on water-cooler gossip, "I'm upset with my job because..." conversations, "so-and-so always does this..." statements, crass jokes, etc., and opting to focus on smart topics, deeper subjects, and encouraging conversations may seem small and maybe ineffective. But aren't the small details sometimes just as important as the big ones? Isn't a "light unto the world" still a light, no matter how small?

Look at the life of Christ for instance. Didn't Jesus do this constantly in His ministry; small and potentially insignificant acts? By healing a paralytic here, a blind man there, and other individual healings, He wasn't going to save the world. One may even ask why bother with such small deeds when He needed to have a global impact. It was these type of actions, though, that stood not only as a testament to His character and as a reminder that nothing is unimportant to God, but through them He changed lives. He gave them hope, a desire to change, a direction to go in, and a person to follow in their quest for meaning. He used person-to-person evangelism to change the world. Likewise, we can use moment-to-moment evangelism to change a person.

This week, continue to Go Green in your life and remove the "trash" one pop can, plastic bag, and candy wrapper at a time. It may be a small act globally, but it could be a huge act locally.

2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-5 - NIV

Brett "Since crude oil is really nothing more than compressed, decomposed animals, this spill is more of a liberation than a catastrophe, right?" Hibbler

Go Green p1

MAY 16 - MAY 22 2010 — GO GREEN p1 — ISSUE 154

Yesterday, while working at the Mud Hens game, a few of us volunteered to head over to another stand because they were shorthanded and we could spare the manpower. This marked the first time, to my recollection (which isn't that good, my mother corrected me about how she did kiss my bumps and scratches growing up — sorry, Mom!) that I was not on register at a game where we worked a stand. Though I had done minor "running" for myself when needed, I'd never been a full time one. So today I ran. But I didn't just run, I ran with the strength and motivation of seven angry vikings who just entered a Taco Bell, only to discover the person they'd held the door for when they arrived had purchased the last available Chalupa. It was epic. I filled cups of pop three, four, and five at a time. I taped down taps to fill beers while I collected hot dogs, fries, and hot chocolate for three registers at once, tossing the contents perfectly onto trays during mid sprint like some sort of Olympic paper boy. Perhaps my greatest feat of the day, though, was that I actually poured coffee for people. Yes, I contributed to the coffee consumption of the world... Just please don't tell my mother, I haven't forgiven myself yet.

Okay, I feel better. Sometimes the randomness just builds up in my head and I have to get it out, so I appreciate you indulging me. Now how about we get to the serious stuff?

MARK 4:30-32 - NIV

In my quest to dislodge the part of me that is concerned about what others think of me, I've noticed how it runs far deeper than I'm always aware. Sometimes, it even pokes its head up in the most bizarre ways.

Most of you know I'm not a big "Save the Planet, Eco Rights" kind of guy. I'm all about being responsible and think Recycling is great, but that's about the extent of my "Going Green." However, for whatever reason, whenever I see trash on the ground I always feel compelled to pick it up. I don't remember my parents instilling that desire or habit in me, (forgive me if I'm mistaken on that Mom and Dad — again) but for as long as I can remember it has always been there. A lot of times I obey that thought, but many times I don't. And it's the reason I typically don't that strikes me as a bit enlightening to my inner doubts.

Many times I won't pick up some trash, especially if it's a non wholesome item, because I'm worried someone may look over and see me with it and assume it was mine to start with. Or worse, that I'd tossed it recklessly aside, and then decided to pick it up out of guilt or being caught in the act. Sounds a little stupid, right? But it shows the power people's perception can have over me. My image has more importance than a greater cause. Would my picking up every bit of trash I see save the planet? No, but every little bit helps and everyone can agree it would certainly be at least of some benefit.

Often times it's those small stands that can inspire greater deeds from others. When you see someone else stand up and stand out for something you believe in, it can give you the courage to do the same. I wonder how many times in our days we hold our tongues, restrain our hand, and hold back our hearts from "picking up trash" that could give others in our work places, our classes, and our families the courage and nudge they need to follow suit. I wonder how many people are in need of someone, anyone, to let them know they're not alone, that those feelings they have deep down telling them to do the right thing are shared by others, too. I wonder how many opportunities we've passed up to spark a little fight in someone else because we let public perception dictate our actions.

Take some time to look at your days and see if there is any more "trash" you can pick up, realizing God can take the smallest seed and make it the greatest plant in the garden.

Brett "It's too bad you can't recycle terrible school pictures... I have an 8th grade bowl cut that really needs to be turned into something useful" Hibbler

It's Not The Kiss

MAY 9 - MAY 15 2010 — IT'S NOT THE KISS —  ISSUE 153

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. I realize it was yesterday, but do to a weird firewall, Mac-to-PC issue, I didn’t have internet access to get this out. Ah, the joys of computers and the never-ending curve balls they throw our way. We don’t have to use them and we sure don’t have to trust ‘em, but then think of how unstressed, dependable, and predictable our lives would be. Who wants those things?

Something I find fascinating about moms is their ability to heal small children’s wounds with a single kiss. We’ve all seen it (or perhaps experienced it), where the child falls down and bumps their knee. As the tears well up and the hands go to their eyes, they immediately head to mom to give it a kiss and make it all better. Some even refuse to stop crying until they get that magical kiss, convinced their bodies won’t heal until mom approves it.

I don’t actually recall my mother doing this to myself or my siblings (forgive me, Mom, if I’m wrong on that), but I’ve seen it enough to know it’s pretty common practice amongst mothers. Perhaps there’s some secret Mom school somewhere where they’re taught it? (And other tricks like having eyes in the back of their head and how to make bedtime stories better than desert)

We all know that there is no real healing power in that kiss. (Please, mothers, hold your hate male. I promise not to tell your children this secret unless they’re like 14 and still asking you to kiss their “boo boo.” At that point it will be for their own good.) Yet, in the eyes of the child, that simple act can instantly make everything alright again, almost as if they had never fallen down, bumped into something, or scraped themselves at all. Isn’t the power of faith amazing?

LUKE 18:16-17 - NIV

If we had the faith of a child in regards to God’s power in our life, in His ability to heal our troubles, struggles, and difficulties with a simple kiss, can you imagine how much stronger our walks would be? If you’ve studied the Bible at any length, you’ve read countless examples of Him doing just that. The power is there. His willingness is ready. All you have to do is believe.

Be that kid again and go to God the next time you’ve fallen down. Like a kiss from a loving mother, He can remove the pain, hurt, anxiety, and other ailments in the blink of an eye.

Brett "If only a mother's kiss could give me a goatee like Robert Downey Jr.'s in Iron Man ll" Hibbler

Complete

MAY 2 - MAY 8 2010 — COMPLETE — ISSUE 152

Get out your merit badges and get ready to pin them on me. This weekend I spent almost ten hours at Rob and Shari's surrounded by food, and yet was still able to eat the next day. Maybe my will power has gotten better since my last party at their place, or maybe it was because Rob distracted me with fire at the end of the night. (Well played sir. Well played. You spared my stomach and saved some leftovers for your self. Next time, though, I'll be on to your tricks.)

Ever notice how we have trainers, books, videos, websites and advice for everything? Want to get in shape? Watch this video. Want to learn a foreign language? Take this class. Want to know how to cook hippo quiche for your next family reunion? Read this book. Having help on everything is great, but there is a drawback; for any area you want to improve on, you have to view yet another book, trainer, class, or site.

2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 - NKJ

God knows we desire to learn and grow and our need for improvement. And He's done the one thing so many instructors, classes, and philosophies out there have failed to do — to give us help for every area of our lives all in one place. There is nothing we can't get advice on that isn't in the Bible. Somewhere in the vast pages of knowledge, someone has been recorded in a similar situation, struggling with the same core issues, all so we can be properly equipped.

Now, I'm not saying the Bible will tell you how to perform brain surgery, (which is too bad 'cuz while working at Target you have no idea how often that need arose), but it can hep you become a phenomenal brain surgeon thanks to a Godly work and study ethic. So if you're struggling in an area, looking to improve yourself in some way, or just looking for some advice, check out God's Word, the Bible. It's all answers, all the time.

Brett "I'm writing a self help book: How To Be Short In A Tall Man's World'" Hibbler