I have to admit, Dad's tend to get a pretty bad rap these days. Some of it is justified, but I know tons of dads who are attempting to be a good example.  You probably already know most of Johnny Cash's story. He became famous in the fifties at the same time as Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis. While his career sky rocketed, his personal life bottomed out: he nearly destroyed himself with drugs and alcohol.

The Annual Conference of the Central Texas Conference has come and gone, and I must say that's it's the best Annual Conference I've attended in the last two decades. There was a spirit of renewal, hope, and joy in the air. The Conference preacher, Dr. Walter Kimbrough, brought a prophetic voice to the worship gatherings. Our new Bishop, Michael Lowry, vocalized a challenge and call of what we are to be about - not that of saving an institution...but to be about the call of Jesus to save lives. I almost couldn't believe what I was hearing! Not only did I hear it, but I believe he "meant" it!

I'm not a newbie at this. This year I will attend my 40^th Annual Conference. Somewhere along this 40 year journey, the relevance of Annual Conference has lost its sharp edge. Every year it has been an endless lineup of report after report. Every year there has been a continued failure to seize that "required" time (3 days) to equip, inspire, and send out lay and clergy to make a difference in our world. Year after year...it has been the same old, same old.

Andre Previn said, “If I miss a day of practice, I know it. If I miss two days, my manager knows it. If I miss three days, my audience, knows it.”  He was talking about the piano, but the same is true about your devotional life. When you’re spending time with God on a consistent basis, it shows. When you aren’t, it also shows. You’ll see it first, then those closest to you, and, pretty soon, it’s obvious to everyone.

In 1912, marathon runner Shizo Kanakuri was chosen to represent Japan in the Summer Olympics at Stockholm. He began the race with the rest of the runners, but along the way was overcome with heat. He stopped at a garden party for some refreshment, but he stayed a little too long -- more than an hour. It was now, he thought, too late to get back in the race. He took a train to his hotel and caught a boat back home, too ashamed to tell anyone he was leaving.

I ’m currently listening to an audio book titled, Simple Church. I’m compelled to make a confession. I live a cluttered life. Okay, I said it! If you don’t believe me just look at my office, office desk, computer desktop, file cabinet, garage, dresser drawers, closet, that little catch-all drawer near the phone, the back seat of my car…okay enough already…I’m getting overwhelmed just going through the list!

Whew, Sunday wasn't too bad. I actually made it through a talk on the topic of sex and didn't stray from my notes too many times. I would have you know that Pam is proud of me. Let me shift the topic onto another matter. Last week I downloaded an audio book, Mudhouse Sabbath. The topic of "Sabbath" caught my attention, but I must confess that it strikes me as funny since I listen to it while sweating 40 minutes on the elliptical and another 40 minutes on the treadmill. There's just something wrong with that picture. Anyway, I digress.