3:30...A.M.!

Yes, my friend, it is 3:30...in the a.m. I just got done with a test...only one more week of Managerial Economics left. I am not really up this late because of the test, though. Really it is because my wife is out of town. I have come to the conclusion that being a bachelor sucks. Like any man, I enjoy my time alone. However, going more than a few days without my wife just isn't right. I sleep differently, I eat differently, I prioritize differently (which is why I just got done with my test). Karen, come back soon.

May in Pictures

Karen and I at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, AL. This is the one place in the U.S. where all of your lost baggage is sold to people like me. If I am wearing your shirt one day, let me know and I will sell it back to you.







I saw this in Fort Payne, AL and thought it was a cool marketing tool.














I fell down the trail...okay, almost fell down the trail.














Karen and I at DeSoto Falls.











My good friend Jeff Gangel stayed at our home for a couple of days. Most of you TFC alumni don't know it, but he can be quite the goof.











School work and more school work. Rewarding but hard.











Caleb's first birthday party. I loved his face here...it's like he just discovered cake for the first time ever.













Karen is out of school now so she is relaxing and taking care of me. I like it. I will probably get fatter.

Stop!

I thought I would take a moment to share one of my ultimate annoyances. Have you ever pulled up to a stop sign and, as fate would have it, someone pulls up at another part of the intersection at the same exact time? For a brief moment, your world combines with a total stranger. You stare at each other with a hint of determination, wondering who will go first. As you pull ahead, you take a slight side glance, just to let them know you have won the match.

However, there are days when we all feel a little more generous. Those days, I choose to let my temporary opponent make the first move, and I actually wave them ahead. But...what is this? They can't be outdone by me, and not wanting me to win, they give me a re-wave (much like the infamous re-gifters), knowing the awkwardness that would ensue if I were to reject their wave. The adrenaline (and anger) races through my body as I wonder, "Who do you think you are to reject my generosity!?!" So, the other morning, I am face to face with a re-waver. But this time, I don't give in! I stare at them, seeing their smug smile, thinking that they have won. I don't budge, and for a solid minute we exchange re-waves and frowns. And finally, after persevering through the awkwardness...I win!

April Fools!

(see previous post)...although one day we really will have a baby.

News!

Karen and I are going to have a baby!

One Year Anniversary

It's our one year anniversary. No, not mine and Karen's. It has been exactly one year since I joined the blogosphere! Happy anniversary to me and my blog!

Priceless

This was a good weekend. On Saturday Karen and I went to see Firewall with Harrison Ford. After church on Sunday we decided we would go driving around and explore some of the roads we never knew existed. Eventually we found ourselves at Lake Purdy which supplies most of the drinking water for Birmingham. It was pretty cool because it is a 1,050 acre lake with no houses on it...you can even rent boats! After driving around looking at enormous homes, we ended up at Barnes & Noble where I wasted a completely good hour reading the dumbest book (see pic...don't ask). Once we were done there, we went to Aldridge Gardens in Hoover and it is beautiful. To sum up our lazy Sunday - "Driving to nowhere in particular: $10 (gas). Exploring a lake you have never been to: $0. Reading America's dumbest book for an hour: pointless. Sitting in duck *#$!: smelly. Having your wife tell you that you have helped her gain lost joy: priceless."

Farm Country

Recently I went to Fort Smith, AR. We flew into Oklahoma, which is definitely the brownest state I have ever flown into (see pic). We then drove 2 hours east to Fort Smith, AR. I have never seen a succession of farms like I did during that drive. It must be where 80% of the cows in the U.S. are. I even saw a dead one getting its eyes plucked out by a buzzard (sorry, no pic). One random bit of information: the speed limit on the turnpike there is 75 mph. Has anyone ever seen a higher speed limit? Fort Smith is an interesting little town, especially the Ozark Mountain Hemp store. I got a buzz just driving by. It was definately the farthest quickest trip I have ever made (hope that makes since). We left on Monday at 8 a.m. and were back by Tuesday at 3 p.m. It was pretty crazy!

Uncle Jon

Well, on Feb. 19 at 11:57 p.m. it became official. I am the uncle of a new world changer. Her name is Sienna Rae Mitchell and she is the fulfillment of her name ("delicate"). After an 18 hour process that included salad tongs made for giants and a vaccum, Sienna was born at over 8lbs. (her dad was over 11 when he was born!). Praise God for a safe delivery. I have to admit, after seeing her and talking with my brother, I really want a baby (no, Karen and I have not made any big decisions).

Apple vs. Microsoft (Round 1)

I really feel sorry for those of you still working on a Windows based computer (I wouldn't be surprised if someone out there was still working with Windows 3.1...it probably runs better than Windows XP). I think to truly understand the difference between Apple and Microsoft, you have to give yourself one month on a Mac running the Tiger OS 10 platform. How many times does your computer crash in a week? Mine....none. How many viruses are you susceptible to (you really don't want to answer that)? Me...none. Can your Windows computer run a dual platform with OS X? Mine...yes. I have used Microsoft Office for probably 7 years now. I have learned more about Word, PPT, and Excel in the past 6 months by using it on my Mac than the previous 7 years combined when I was using it on a Windows PC. Apple does a better job at making those programs functional than Microsoft does...and Microsoft created them! As you can tell, I am partial, but I have seen the difference. I could probably go on for another few pages, but I will spare you from having an argument with your wife about why you need to go out and buy a PowerBook G4.

The God of Each Generation

Recently one of my classmates wrote, "My Dad said that he believes that the Lord has prepared each generation for the challenges that they will face, knowing that they will need to withstand more than we did."

I believe this is a profound concept, and I have thought about it many times. As I look at how I view God, how my parents view God, and how my grandparents view God, we each have a different characteristic we value. It's not that God has changed in any way (He is the same yesterday, today, and forever) but that He reveals Himself differently to each generation. He knows what each generation will need. In other words, my generation has experienced broken homes like never before. At the same time, most of my friends truly see God as a loving Father, one who they can be intimate and real with. My grandfather's generation tends to view God as just, righteous, and strong. That is exactly what they needed Him to be as they went through the depression, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Cold War and other catastrophes. I hope this makes sense. I am in awe of God's desire to reach us right where we are as individuals and as a generation.

Yellow

Why do my grandparents answer the phone "Yellow?" I find this perplexing. Perhaps next time they answer that way, I should say "Red" or "Mellow." By the way, what ever happened to Mellow Yellow?

The Vicious Cycle

Here is some food for thought that I have been processing lately.

A big factor in consumer behavior is income. However, income levels are becoming less of a factor than they once were. Take, for example, people driving up to a school in a decked out Escalade while their kid receives a free lunch at school (paid for by you and I)…something is terribly wrong with that and my wife sees it over and over at her school. Recently I have been thinking about how the role of credit has changed the U.S. and consumer spending (I know...kind of strange to let this thought fester for long, but it has). The overwhelming majority of Americans live beyond their means (averaging over $6,000 in debt). It really bothers me that as credit has increased, product pricing has become over inflated because companies know the consumer will buy the product because they can simply charge it. It is an ugly cycle of credit and price inflation. Sooner or later, the deck of (charge) cards is going to come crashing down and we will experience what our grandparents wish they never had...the depression (part II). Perhaps I am overreacting, and I hope I am, but something needs to be done to stop the vicious cycle of overspending.

By the way...Happy New Year!

Revolution (Part II)

Many Christians are flocking to the non-traditional, church because they desire something fresh...not because they want an experience, but because they want to see that the power of Jesus is real in our lives. You know, even if those people do want an experience, is there something wrong with that? Isn't a relationship with Jesus an experience? Doesn't it fluctuate between crying one moment because you suddenly sense the burden Jesus carries for the lost, to rejoicing the next moment because you just received a revelation about the power of Christ's resurrection? Why have we become scared of the word "experience" when it is associated with Christianity?

Revolution (Part I)

I was recently told by a fellow classmate that her father, who is a Christian, doesn't go to church. She said, "He [my father] just doesn't want to go to the [church] "building" because of his previous dealings with "hypocrites." My grandfather was a preacher, and forced my father to go to church every Sunday - no matter what. So, between the forcing and the hypocrites, my father will not go back into a church at this time." My father was a pastor. I admit, there were times I was forced to go to church. I would imagine her father's experiences have caused him to have a bad taste in his mouth like many Christians who no longer go to a church building on Sunday's and Wednesday nights (and often every other night the church can get them to volunteer). George Barna just came out with a new book called Revolution that I encourage anyone to read before they get into the debate of "Church...or not?" I work with over 230 pastors a year in my job and I offered a copy to all of them. I am pretty passionate about the subject of spirituality in America. While many Christians believe and are looking for America's spiritual awakening, I believe it is already here. However, it is not the way we want it or predicted it. Many are turning to so many different forms of spirituality because they have become disenfranchised with one "system." Unfortunately, the church has often responded with an "us against them" mentality, which alienates them even more.

I recently heard a passage from the Message translation of the Bible that truly resonates with me, especially on this subject: Matthew 11:28-30 says, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me [Jesus]. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Help

Here are a couple of things I need help with:

1) Can I put QT (Quick Time for the technically illiterate) video's on this blog? If so, how? And once I know how, can I start calling this a vlog?
2) How do I create a picture in my profile so when I post in the comments section my face can be seen by the world (Jason or Amy, please provide direction).
3) I recently purchased the Kodak EasyShare V550. It's a cool camera because it has advanced video features, but I am struggling with the picture quality. More like, what settings do I use and when. Any thoughts?

Church...or Not (Part II)

I keep reading comments on the great "Church on Christmas Day" debate, and I don't understand it. Who cares? How many of our "Christian convictions" are really cultural, not spiritual? Is a Christmas Day service biblical or cultural? Is a Sunday or Saturday service biblical or cultural? Is Sunday School biblical or cultural (wow, I know that will really rock some of you)? Is singing hymns biblical or cultural? Is the issue of ordaining gay priests biblical or cultural...just wanted to see if you were paying attention. If these convictions are cultural (which I believe they are, excluding the last one), then why are they such hot topics? And for those of you who have chosen to get on with the real business of the church (reaching the lost and discipleship) yes, some of the preceding issues are still hot topics. I was recently talking with a worship pastor who told me they just got PowerPoint approved. How long did it take them to approve it, you ask? Only a couple of years...no, this is not a joke. The media is having a field day with the church right now regarding the "Church on Christmas Day" debate, and guess who is going to get the blue ribbon? No, it is not the church that will have a service on Christmas Day, it is...Satan. I'm sorry (...wait, no I'm not) but many Christians need to get a life or get Jesus...one or the other. Even the local Christian radio station has gotten involved by having people call in and voice their opinions on whether or not a church should have a service on Christmas Day. Fortunately no pre-Christians listen to the station because it is so lame.

Christians are turning insignificant issues into ones of importance and labeling them as spiritual debates. I guess issues regarding porn, sexual abuse, and reaching the lost are to “sensitive or uncomfortable.” Maybe I am contributing to the debate by writing this post. If I am, please let me know and I will stop.

Church...or Not?

I have been reading many articles related to whether or not to have church on Christmas day, which conveniently falls on a Sunday. The last time this happened was in the mid 90's and the same debate arose. This year, however, the power of the mega church as been thrown in the mix. Honestly, I could care less if they opened their doors on Christmas day or not, because the church is not a building, and I do not need to worship with other Christians to enjoy the meaning of Christmas. One must take into consideration the logistics that are behind a service for many of these mega churches. On a normal Sunday, the average mega church has anywhere from 75 to over 300 staff and volunteers involved. Is it really right to ask that many people to give up time with their families on Christmas day to put on a service for a couple hundred people that might show up? I don't think so, considering we ask so much of them throughout the year. I respond from the standpoint of a member of a church of 4,000 and from having a brother on staff at a church of over 4,500. I want to enjoy the day with him because he lives in PA so I never get to see him. If they made him attend the service, I would be upset. Plus, many of these mega churches are putting a lot of time and effort into their Christmas Eve services, and some are even holding more services before Christmas day than they normally would (I know one church that is holding 16 services during the 2 days before Christmas). Most research proves that the overwhelming majority of non-Christians go to church on Christmas Eve rather than on Christmas day, and aren't those the people we should be focused on reaching? I think Rick Warren makes an appropriate comment that we should consider in this discussion:

"When you're small, they'll dismiss you; when you're growing, they'll criticize you; and when you're large, they'll resent you. So ignore 'them' and get on with whatever God has told you to do!"

If God has not convicted the staff of a mega church about closing their doors on Sunday, than so be it. If it is a conviction for you, then find a church and go on Sunday morning while I am cuddling with my wife by the tree. Better yet, here is a revolutionary thought (one that is uncomfortable for the majority of Christian families). If you are so concerned about not having a building to go to in order to have church on Christmas day, read a devotional as a family and sing to Jesus! Maybe you could even pray together!

"The church is a family--the Bible says that many times. And within a family there is freedom. Just because a church decides to handle things a certain way does NOT make it wrong when another church does not do it that way...and for a church to claim that they have everything right and other churches should be like them is--well--ARROGANT!" - Perry Noble (New Spring Church).


Jon Mitchell

Gifts...or Not

Do you give gifts at Christmas? I don't. By the way...I didn't blog the whole month of November. Oh, like you are really better at blogging than I am. By the way, I have updated the website of the week. Check out Church Marketing Sucks. I love the sight.

Where I've Been...

I discovered this cool little tool on someone else's blog to map out all the places I've been in the U.S.



create your own visited states map

Here are the countries I've been to. Wow, I have a lot of territory to cover before I die.



create your own visited countries map