Alex P. Keaton, Potsie, and The Ricker

I’m not too terribly sentimental or nostalgic, but I find myself longing more for the days of yore.  No, I don’t want to be a kid again…but I’d like for my kids to have the opportunity to enjoy some of the more wholesome things of my youth.

As a kid, I played outside a lot, but also watched a good bit of TV.  This was WAY before cell phones, wifi, iPods, HD, and video games with amazing graphics. I was incredibly fortunate to receive an Atari game system when I was about 8 or 9 years old.  Missile Command, Frogger, Pitfall, Breakout,  and Kaboom! were games I’d waste the hours away playing.  Who needs PS3 HD graphics with online community gaming capability? 

But even though I enjoyed the Atari, I was still more addicted to the remote control than the joystick. I would spend my summer mornings the same way each day.  I’d start off with a healthy dose of I Dream of Jeannie, along with an episode of Gilligan’s Island, and follow that up with Bewitched and an episode of Happy Days and The Brady Bunch.  My favorites were Major Healy, the “old” Darin, Richie Cunninghan, Potsie, and Peter Brady.

As the years passed, the shows I enjoyed in syndication expanded to include the likes of Laverne & Shirley, Silver Spoons, the Jeffersons, and Diff’rent Strokes.  I grew to love characters like Carmine, Lenny & Squiggy, Bentley the “honkey” neighbor, “The Ricker” – Ricky Schroeder, Willis, and “Weesie.” 

All of these shows were HUGE prime-time sitcoms during the 1970’s and 1980’s that I enjoyed as a kid in reruns.  As the years passed, I also enjoyed watching shows such as What’s Happenin’? (you gotta love Dwayne – hey hey hey!), The Cosby Show,  The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Family Ties, Growing Pains, Who’s the Boss?, and Gimme a Break.

What did all these shows have in common, besides the fact they were sitcoms?  They were FAMILY sitcoms, and there was no reason that elementary-aged kids couldn’t watch them!  They were funny (some funnier than others), had big-named celebrities, and compelling characters. And, believe it or not, sex, drugs, politics, social agendas, and profanity/ vulgar language weren’t a part of the script, unless the episode was dealing with one of these topics in a constructive manner!

As funny as they were and continue to be, shows like Roseanne, Married…with Children, and The Simpsons paved the way for a new, edgier, less family-friendly sitcom.  And, that was OK for a while.  But, today we really do not have any true family sitcoms that air in prime time during the week.  I can honestly say that there aren’t any shows that my kids and I watch together.  And, that is truly a sad thing.

Last year, my wife and I saw that a new Tim Allen comedy was going to be debuting.  I loved Tim Allen in Home Improvement during my high school and college years, and remembered how family-oriented that show was.  So, this new show – Last Man Standing – seemed to fit the bill. We set up the DVR, and watched the first episode with our kids – ages 7 and 11 at the time.  To my dismay, I found that the show was not appropriate for kids under 13.  We forced ourselves through two or three more episodes to give it the benefit of the doubt, and our feelings were confirmed – we couldn’t watch the show with the kids without having to hold our breath and cross our fingers that something inappropriate wouldn’t come up.

You know, I may come across as an out-of-touch fuddy-dud.  Maybe I’m not as cool as I used to be.  Perhaps I have grown even more conservative with age.  But, my honest opinion is that Hollywood is missing out on an opportunity to bring back sitcoms (or any TV shows) with good, old-fashioned WHOLESOME family values.  And, until that happens, I am content with my kids watching SportsCenter, The Disney Channel, The Food Network, or not watching TV at all.

You don’t need to over-use slang words or profanity to be funny.  You don’t have to have teenagers and adults wearing nothing or drinking or doing drugs to be relevant. You CAN have a loving, faithful married couple, and you CAN have respectful, responsible teens.  It worked for Bill Cosby.  I believe it can work again.

Loners, Leaners, and Life-Givers

Despite the fact that there are more than seven billion uniquely created people on the Earth today, similarities exist among all of us – physical, emotional, behavioral, religious, intellectual, and many others.  But, when it comes to how we live our lives, I believe we can categorize people into three primary groups: loners, leaners, and life-givers. Let me explain.

Some people are staunchly independent.  Not just in their desire to accomplish things without anyone’s help, but with respect to their aversion to spending time with other people.  These are the people who don’t see much value in others.  They believe one of two things: either others are inferior to them, or that they are inferior (worthless) to others.  They have few, if any, meaningful relationships with other people, and only connect with others when they absolutely need to (or have to).  Further, they have a tendency to withdraw and isolate themselves – whether out of fear or indifference.  They are loners.

The second group of people is almost the polar opposite from the loner.  They are so consumed by fitting in, by being accepted by others, that they overly subject themselves to the thoughts and opinions of those around them.  They are worried about their appearance, about whether their ideas will be valued, and will at times compromise their beliefs and actions to feel acceptance.  Many of these types of people do not enjoy spending time alone – mostly because they find their identity in those with whom they associate.  These people often have opinions, but opt to keep them to themselves for fear they will create conflict, which could ultimately lead to a relational rift.  They are often peacekeepers, and desperately want to be liked by everybody.  If they believe someone has a negative opinion of them, it will gnaw at them incessantly. They are leaners. 

The third type of individual may slightly overlap into the loner or leaner category, but mostly they spend their lives absorbing experiences like a sponge.  They enjoy spending time with others, but also embrace the opportunities for reflection and devotion that is allowed by time spent alone.  Where the loner (superior/ inferior) or leaner (smothering, needy) can be a “life-sucker,” this type of person breathes life into others. They use the wisdom they have gleaned from others along the way to strengthen their connection to those around them.  They are not self-centered, but are others-centered.  They never allow an experience to be wasted.  They are joyful.  Others who spend time with them walk away refreshed and energized.  They are life-givers.

Are there seasons in life when we may be a loner or a leaner? Sure.  The difference is that the life-giver is resilient. He takes his desert experiences to learn from them and bless others, rather than using it as an excuse to “be mad at God” or bear a grudge, or as a justification for sin.

John Ortberg once wrote that there are two types of people: those who are living, and those who are waiting to live.  For the loner, living may mean wandering outside your comfort zone to surround yourself with others who can breathe life into you.  For the leaner, living may mean you need to spend time talking with God, finding your identity in Him rather than in those around you.  Perhaps you have become less concerned with the Creator, and more concerned with His creation.

We all aspire to be life-givers.  In order to do so, we must admit our weakness, and seek to fill our lives with the only thing that truly satisfies: Jesus Christ.  He was – and is – the ultimate Life-Giver. Through him, we can offer that same life, and hope, to others we see each day.

Laugh it Up!

This year marked the 20-year reunion for the graduating class of my high school.  I don’t talk about it too much, but I've been bitter since Senior Superlatives day, when I was the runner-up in the vote for "Wittiest" student among my peers. What did they know? I have always felt like I was robbed. There's no question I was the wittiest! Ironically, I was a distant 438th in the vote for "Mr. Humility."
That same year, at our Senior Class dinner/party, I did receive a pretty distinguished and unique honor: I was awarded the “Most Likely Not to Receive an Award” Award.  Seriously.  And, guess who presented that certificate to me: the girl who is now Mrs. C.A. Phillips!  Who’s laughing now?!!??! Bwaaaahahahaaaaaaa…

But, all maniacal laughter aside, I have always believed that my sense of humor - even at inopportune times - is an asset that has been genuinely beneficial over the course of my 38-plus years. And, I just confirmed that notion, as I took a "humor self-test" online at www.queendom.com. 

I scored a 60.  In real life, that is a failing grade.  But, on the sense of humor scale, I am up there with Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, and people who voted for Obama.  Here’s the web site’s analysis of my responses:
Your wacky sense of humor rocks! It appears that you can laugh at just about anything, including yourself -which is way cool! And hey, if you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at right? Just kidding. Of course you know you have to make sure you're not offending anyone right?! In any case, most people probably get a kick out of your wit and most likely love hanging out with you. We think you're pretty funny too!

Why does all this matter? Well, scientific studies have proven that laughing people are more creative and more productive, and hence are better teammates in a work environment. Further, it has been shown that laughter can add up to eight years to someone's life! So, I’m really 30 in “laughter years”!
Here are some additional benefits of laughter, as posted by Lonnette Harrell on helium.com:

·         Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones, and increases good hormones like endorphins, which act as natural painkillers

·         Laughter strengthens the immune system, leading to less sickness

·         Hearty laughter exercises the diaphragm, the abdominals, and stimulates the heart

·         One researcher found that it took ten minutes on a rowing machine to reach the heart rate produced by one minute of enthusiastic laughter

·         Studies by UM Medical Center in Baltimore found that laughter may prevent heart disease, and also lowers blood pressure

So, how do you think you'd do on a sense of humor test? Take a minute to take the 10-question exam and see where you stand. You can find it here: http://www.queendom.com/jff_access/the_sense_of_humor_test.htm
If your score is above 50, then congrats! If you are hovering in the 30's or 40’s, then you may need to go roll a neighbor’s yard, inhale some helium and talk like a Munchkin, or rent the Naked Gun or Airplane! movies tonight.

Now, pull my finger.

Know Thyself

When I started on staff at NorthStar Church back in 2004, I completed a comprehensive personality profile.  The goal was to not only help our church management understand how I may best fit in, but also to help me understand myself a little better.

It has been nearly eight years, and I pulled out that file today.  I couldn't even remember if I still had it, and I was thankful that I was able to find it.  What I read was absolutely spot-on (well, probably 95 percent accurate).  Here are some highlights:

• I like to develop people and build organizations
• I am sensitive to criticism of my work
• I influence people with my warmth
• I prefer a "team approach"
• I like quality social relationships
• I like managers to make quick decisions
• I like to be involved in the decision-making process
• I will not be overlooked nor uninvolved
• I am deadline-conscious
• I have a positive sense of humor
• I verbalize my feelings
• I am a good mixer
• I need systems to follow
• I need strokes for my involvement
• I need time for relating and socializing
• I am a good "team player"
• I enjoy participation in meetings on future planning

There's much more, but this list is dead-on when it comes to identifying ways to motivate me and to provide my ideal work environment.

Reading this list was a great way to remind me of how I need to fit in, but the report also gave me some valuable techniques on how to more positively interact with others, and how I can communicate more effectively with them.

If you've never completed one of these evaluations, I highly recommend it.  Perhaps you can even mention this to your employer as a "benefit" they can provide their employees and the organization as a whole.

What God Did When Sid Slid

Click image to watch video highlight of "The Slide"

I remember the night.  I was glued to the TV with my best friend and college roommate at the University of Georgia that fateful October night in 1992.  All seemed hopeless.  It was Game 7, and the Braves were down 2-0 in the bottom of the 9th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Doug Drabek had pitched masterfully - 8 shutout innings thus far.  

The Braves' half-inning started with a double deep into the right-field corner by Terry Pendleton.  David Justice then hits a routine ground ball to Jose Lind, the Gold Glove-winning second baseman.  He boots it.  Runners at 1st and 3rd.  Sid Bream then walks on four straight pitches.  Doug Drabek is pulled from the game.  Enter Stan Belinda.

Ron Gant hits a deep fly ball to the warning track, which plates the Braves' first run.  2-1 Pirates.  Catcher Damon Berryhill then walks to load the bases once more.  Pinch-hitter Brian Hunter then pops up to 2B, leaving the bases loaded with two outs.  

There was one player remaining on the bench.  A kid named Francisco Cabrera, who only had ten at-bats that entire season.  He steps in, and laces a pitch down the left-field line - foul into the stands.  The next pitch is up and out, but Cabrera reaches out and hammers it to left field.  Justice scores easily, but the slow-footed Sid Bream is hoofing it around third base.  He makes a wider turn than Braves fans would like to have seen.  Bonds fields in left center, then throws home...

We see Sid pumping his arms, chugging and willing himself toward home plate.  The throw from Bonds is up the first-base side of home plate.  Catcher Mike Lavalierre has to reach for the throw.  Justice and Otis Nixon are begging for Bream to get there...waving their arms up and down, urging him to get down.  And Sid slides...

We hold our breath and lift up a prayer...SAFE!  And, the immortal words of Skip Caray ring in our ears..."Braves win!  Braves win!  Braves win!  Braves win!...Braves Win!"

The Braves commemorated "The Slide" this past weekend at Turner Field.  On the stage were Sid Bream, Francisco Cabrera, and home plate umpire Randy Marsh.  After the brief ceremony - which took me back to my college apartment to relive those amazing moments - Sid Bream addressed the 30,000+ fans gathered at Turner Field.

I am paraphrasing here, but what Sid Bream shared was something along these lines:

"If we were to go back and do it over again, I am sure Bobby Cox would have put in a pitcher to pinch-run for me.  Things may have been done differently.  But, God had a plan.  He knew that when I scored that I would be able to stand up and tell thousands of people about my personal relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

When Sid slid, the Braves won.  But, more than that, God received glory, and many more people - through Sid Bream's testimony - got to hear about a Savior who often enjoys taking the world by surprise - even by allowing the slowest player on the team to score the most dramatic game-winning run in franchise history.