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Introduction To The House of Carr
Introduction To The House of Carr

Smackdown

People fearful of city life usually cite the urban hooligans as a reason to steer clear. We woke up this morning at 2:30am to the sounds of loud voices spewing profanities. But instead of ghetto jargon it sounded more like suburban America trying to be hardcore. Sure enough it was the guests of some of the people in the condo complex who were verbally sparring. These girls (yep) apparently had too much to drink out at the bars and felt it was the perfect time/location to make their true feelings known to each other.

Still unsure as to what female dogs and the actions of their mothers had to do with their gripes but the subject kept coming up repeatedly.

I was thinking of calling the police but I didn't want to deal with the hassle. Eventually they shut up.

It was more like an episode of MTV's The Real World than Boyz n The Hood.

But that's life in the dangerous city for you.

Learnt

So the professor of my Thursday night class is in India. So he wasn't there tonight. So we were supposed to have a sub. Sounds like junior high, huh? Shoutout: Melissa Hill.

So we watched a movie for class.

Again, sounds like junior high, huh? Shoutout: Cool Hand Luke [still not sure why we watched that in junior high].

The sub didn't show up, meaning there was no attendance taken, meaning I could've skipped altogether. But that's why you pay tuition, eh?

Why I really wrote all this: I had to walk an extra half mile to class tonight. Why? Because the campus was jammed-packed full of people. Why? There was a special event at the Cintas Center. Who were they there to see?

Dave Ramsey: financial guru. He tells you how to work your money and get rich.

I'm not a big Dave guy, and I know some of you are so I won't go on a diatribe, but it just fascinates that so many people are into hearing him (of course, people still go to see Loverboy so what's that mean?).

Apparently tickets for the event cost anywhere between $31 and $67. Here's a way to work your money: don't spend all the cash on tickets to the event and listen to him on the radio for free.

On second thought, here's a good way to get rich: become a financial guru and charge a ridiculous amount of money for people to come hear you speak. Shot fired.

Sports For Geeks

Just thought I'd make it public knowledge that my fantasy football team is 1-0. Not sure how long that will last. I did make the play-offs in my fantasy baseball league. That's 3 out of 4 years now, the blemish was the year we started Echo I pretty much mailed it in. But for all that moxie my guys are screwing it up this week. Looks like Brian's team is going to clobber me and I'll be lamenting my surplus of closers throughout the off-season.

I know, no one cares.

Owning It

I just got to say that I love being a dad. Kelly had her day in the office today so it was me and Kaelyn all day long. Sometimes there are days when Kaelyn's fussy or just wanting her mother so I'm constantly checking the clock, waiting for Kel to get back. Lately Kelly has had a lot of changes with her job and deadlines and such and this afternoon was the latest she's ever gotten back from work. But the time just flew by and I didn't even notice.

Everyday there are new things I can teach her. Her vocabulary is getting much better [actually, she still says only a couple of actual words, but "mon-mon" means "monkey" and that's all that matters].

There have been plenty of people telling me to enjoy her at this age and I'm definitely following that advice.

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Future Hall of Famer

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I'm still glad I was able to pick up good neighbor Chad Johnson on my fantasy team. Last night we were coming home from church, like most ministry couples, in separate cars. We usually talk on on the phone en route to catch up on our evenings. Coming up the hill I noticed a Rolls Royce ready to pull out from Chad's street. He pulled out between Kelly and me and then headed up Gilbert Avenue.

I wasn't 100% sure it was Chad until I came across this photo online. Yeah, Ocho-Cinco is travelin' in style. Next time I see him, I'll pull up and ask for Grey Poupon. As long as he keeps racking up those fantasy points, he can drive whatever he wants.

Hoping he can put up a couple more TDs in the second half.

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The Church And The Poor

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Let's talk about something that people are uncomfortable talking about. This nature of this snippet in the Enquirer bothers me. The title of the article is "Panhandler Arrested In Church" which is sure to capture attention. Apparently this guy had done this a few times before, disrupting the service so he could hit-up parishioners. Since you can't forcibly remove someone without crossing some legal lines, the police was the last resort. Already there are people willing to jump on this church as being heartless and I'm sure there are more to come. It seems counterintuitive that a church would be so heartless as to call the authorities because a homeless guy wanted some money but some people have no idea what it's like being a church in the city.

Think about a similar situation: where else could an individual disrupt a gathering on multiple occasions and face no consequences? Most likely, if he had done so during a meeting at a government building or a place of business, the person interrupting would be arrested on the spot. But when it comes to the church, we're supposed to suspend a worship gathering to pacify this request. Why? Because churches are supposed to "be like Jesus" and care for the poor. And when they're biligerant we should turn the other cheek and let the disruptive person have their way in our gatherings.

That sounds about right. And maybe they can dance naked in the aisles too. As we approach the completion of our second year of ministry in Walnut Hills I've can attest that virtually everyone that wants a handout feels it's the most important thing happening in the world at the time; many times they're insistent that their need should be resolved immediately, regardless of what you're doing. We've had people on multiple occasions try to interrupt our service, wanting to speak with me in the middle of preaching, so they could make their plea. We ask them to sit through our worship and we'll get to them when we're done. Granted, some are patient enough to wait but others get pissed because they want what they want now. So if someone in need will not respect this one stipulation we have, why do we have to succumb to them? Oh, because we're a church, and that's what Jesus would do.

I would argue that the primary purpose of a church is to worship the living God. One of the main expressions of this is our worship gathering. While we can also do this by ministering to the poor, that is not our only directive*. In fact, despite the theological positions of some, Scripture does not list the eradication of poverty as the primary purpose of the body of Christ. While we continually do our part to serve our community we still hold that we're to teach the embodiement of Jesus as the true release that people need. We have our priorities and those requesting assistance can at least respect them.

People outside the church are constantly wanting to expose the apparent hypocricies within it. And since there are always the needy among us this is an easy target. But those on the outside have no idea how volitile these situations are.

We had this guy who was constantly looking for handouts come to our church. We did our best to help him out but sometimes said no because we knew he was an addict. A two separate occasions we caught him attempting to steal from the church we rent yet didn't call the police. One night he was particularly insistent when we told him he wouldn't get any money and he decided to steal money from the offering box. Again, we didn't call the police and tried to "restore him Biblically" but we really didn't see him much more. Apparently he got caught stealing [for the umteenth time] and is still in the county lock-up.

In the long run, did we help him out or not? Tough call but it's not ours to make. We'll use our best judgement to help when and where we can but there's no hard/fast rule. But we will not allow someone to manipulate us into making themselves priority number one. We will always reserve the right to say no. And if you've never said no, then you really have no room to criticize.

This is a part of life living in the city. We do our best but understand that an unlimited supply of handouts still would not solve the problems that people face and/or create.

Until you're ministering in the city and experience the week-to-week struggle, you should probably reserve judgement on the matter.

*There are plenty of social service agencies whose main purpose is assist the poor; there are hundreds in Walnut Hills alone. Despite this fact, there is still a problem with people in need. One of the driving reasons in our community is that there are people manipulating the system. They can get government assistance on which to make it by and anything they can panhandle can go to purchase of non-government subsidized purchases [i.e., alcohol]. We do not use this as an excuse not to help, but it's a situation that needs to be recognized. At Echo we try to be deliberate between situations because constantly giving hand-outs to people who are disingenuous is actually more harmful than helpful.

You've Been X-Punk'd!

I haven't blogged much this past week because I was sorta busy. My wife is turning thirty in two weeks and Saturday we threw her a surprise party. The set-up, however, was months in the making.

Kelly knew I was going to throw her a party this year, and figured it would be a surprise. About eight weeks ago I created a fake volunteer reception for the Cincinnati Preservation Association. I researched the interwebs to find some info about some historic houses in the neighborhood near the Walnut Hills Church and made up a flyer, even making it look believably flawed. Apparently Kelly bought it hook, line, and sinker because even after the surprise she asked if I faked the event.

It seemed like we were against smooth waters until this week when I discovered we wouldn't be able to decorate on Friday night. This meant we'd have to redezvous at the church early Saturday morning to get things set up. Kelly's parents were in town to help get Kaelyn ready and ended up getting a hotel room to make this work. So I pretended to not be able to sleep, woke up at 5:30 to go to Panera [something I occasionally do], and got out of the house to make it seem natural. We made it to the church to set-up but I had to get home early while the rest of the crew took care of the decorations.

So later in the day, when we were all dressed up to go to this event, I took us on a diversion to the church where I had created another fake event. I received a fake cell call asking for assistance at the church. Kelly said it was my voice-inflection on the phone that led her to figure things out. But she was still surprised to see friends and family all dressed up too. We did our best to make it a black-tie affair and it worked out very well. I'm sure I'll get some pictures up soon.

I will say that I would suck cheating on my wife. I was under a lot of stress constantly lying to her for a good reason; I can't imagine what weaving a web of total deceit would do to my brain. This past week I started the most ridiculous conversations with Kelly to avoid the subject [like I give a rip about High School Musical 2]. By last night I was so exhausted, but it was so worth it. Kelly is still the most amazing thing that ever happened to me and I'm glad she had a day to remember.

A huge thanks to Dave and Bev, Kelly's parents, who went the extra mile to make sure their daughter had a party to remember. They stayed the night Friday, giving us a chance to go see a movie, and protecting the sanctity of the surprise. Bev put together the decorations making a seventy year-old church fellowship hall look elegant. They were amazing. And also big thanks to Sheryl [and Ed too] who helped get the cakes, set-up early Saturday morning, and cleaned up too. All of you made this happen.

Now that the weekend's over, I'm going to sleep.

Maybe we'll do this again in thirty years, Kel.

Righting [Perceived] Wrongs

I knew a band once called "Right The Wrong." Not sure what happened to them. Sticking with Apple news, a lot of iPhone owners were feeling buyers remorse yesterday when the company dropped the phone's price by $200. I like what I read about it yesterday: it was an "early adopter" tax. My opinion: it's a free market system in the US, so if you paid that amount to got what you wanted. If I buy a 2008 car now, they're not going to give me the money back when they cut prices on them next year.

But Apple's a company that cares about public perception so it wasn't too surprising today when Steve Jobs offered old iPhone owners $100 in store credit. Giving back millions in profit might not seem the smartest move but they're investing in the future.

I predict this will be an iPod Christmas for many.

Cold Draft

Reluctantly, I'm playing a little fantasy football. I've noted before the superiority of fantasy baseball and my non-participation in FF leagues. But I was persuaded this year by the opportunity to participate in a league with blogging church planters from around the country. Some of them I've interacted with, some I've just started reading. I'll be putting their sites up on my links shortly. Anyway, I had a pretty decent draft except that the ESPN auto-draft option wouldn't let me make my second pick, leaving me with Clinton Potis. Sure, Portis is good, but I've never really liked him. Hopefully he'll have a banner year.

And I was surprised, being the only Cincinnati guy, how quickly the Bengals jumped off the board. I was able to snag Chad Johnson, but every other major player went quicker than I thought would have.

So here's my line-up. FYI, I had the fifth pick in a snaking draft.

1. Shaun Alexander, Sea RB [local guy over Addai]

2. Clinton Portis, Was RB  [didn't want him; wanted Travis Henry]

3. Chad Johnson, Cin WR [lives two blocks from us]

4. Antonio Gates, SD TE [stud]

5. Matt Hasselbeck, Sea QB [He'll work]

6. Donald Driver, GB WR [Farve will work him hard this year]

7. Reggie Brown, Phi WR [Steal at this pick]

8. Jon Kitna, Det QB [Good back-up, has plenty of options]

9. Tatum Bell, Det RB [If the offense spreads, he'll get yards]

10. Greg Jennings, GB WR [Could break out this year]

11. Cowboys Defense/Special Teams  [Best left at this pick]

12. LenDale White, Ten RB  [USC Running back needs to get a watch]

13. Randy McMichael, StL TE    [Good offense for him]

14. Maurice Morris, Sea RB [Shaun Alexander's Back-up]

15. Chris Henry, Cin WR [Just for fun]

16. Olindo Mare, NO K [Was still left]

WEBN Fireworks

With a sleep deprived little girl, we skipped this year's Riverfest fireworks again. I think next year we'll walk down the street so she can see them in person. It's interesting to hear the reverberations of the big blasts from time to time. Surprisingly, some aren't nearly as loud as the Reds game winning fireworks. But I do have to suggest we start a petition urging Channel 5 to never purchase the television rights again. There is a huge difference between the other two networks and this one. Channel 5 is horrible when it comes to these live events. I keep rubbing my eyes thinking my contacts are blurry when it's actually they're cheap cameras.

They make the fireworks practically unwatchable, to the extent that I'm blogging this while they're still on. Can I get a witness?

EDIT: Then I can't stand the visit to cliche-ville after they end. Example:

"Every year they keep getting better and better"

BTW, I disagree. I think the WEBN music guy has a thing for Chris Isaacs. They play his one-hit every year.

Help Brooklyn

I'm not one for special causes. It seems everyone has one and everyone thinks theirs is the most important. The lolipop guild has been hanging around the local parking lots raising money for their special houses but it always makes me feel weird the way they loiter near your car. Every once in awhile I toss them some change but I can't stand it when they badger you for their cause. Transition: let me tell you about one special cause that I back 100%, so much so that I'm going to encourage you to think about supporting it. I told you of Kelly and Charlie's daughter Brooklyn who has Rett's syndrome, a neurodevelopmental condition that affects young girls. Since there's no cure they're always looking to assist research.

On Saturday September 22nd there's going to be a Stroll-A-Thon here in Cincinnati to raise money for research. You can participate in a few ways:

  1. Join us with Team Butler and come walk with us. Or . . .
  2. Cash money. You know how it works.

For more info you can drop me an email or, even better, ask Brooklyn's mom. Keep up-to-date with Brooklyn here.

Sox/No Sox

Quick baseball chat, especially since the Red Sox are my American League team. In the middle of a game Wednesday night, Major League Baseball sent an official to examine the uniform of Boston manager Terry Francona. He wears a pull -ver throughout the game, but MLB rules demand that all personel wear the actual uniform top during the game. Needless to say, Francona was ticked.

First, how stupid is this? Is there any other sport where the coach has to wear the uniform? The only thing dumber is the NFL being against their coaches wearing suits.

Second, it shows the priorities in the game when steroid use/abuse was overlooked for years but no way in Hades are they going to let a manager not wear his uniform. Bud Selig, history will reward you.

No worries. This is the year the Yankees miss the play-offs.

Facebook Fury

Is Myspace dying? It's not quite dead yet, but I think you could put it on the dead wagon. I really never liked Myspace because I felt it was Mickey Mouse. I check it once every few days to delete the p0rn spam I get there. Even though I suck at social networking, I've been excited about Facebook which is cleaner [except for all those crappy add-ons you people need to get over] but I've still maintained both because . . . well, how could I turn my back on all those friends?

It seems that the past month or so has seen an huge influx of new people to Facebook. In fact, it leads me to believe that many people will soon completely abandon Myspace. Someone recently told me that Facebook is becoming the site for "old[er] people" but I wonder if this is sour grapes. Whereas a lot of college friends now work the Facebook, few people from my high school have picked up on it.

So which side do you choose in the social networking Civil War? Or are you a border state? Or are you participating in the Underground Railroad?

Answer, friends: Myspace or Facebook?

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The Beat Goes On

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Some interesting stuff in today's City Beat, Cincinnati's liberal independent newspaper. Every Wednesday I try to read the online version in addition to our city's cotton-candy paper, CinWeekly. First was an interview with the heads of the three major local art institutions [Cincinnati Art Museum, The Taft, and the Contemporary Arts Center]. They have some interesting perspectives on the state of art and culture in the Queen City.

The second article is concerning an Enquirer business reporter who was recently fired. The word on the street is that he pissed off some local major corporations and the paper bowed to their power and let him go. It's difficult to find the truth in this story, as some people contend he was canned because he was overly abrasive. Regardless, I think it does speak to the way our society is shifting.

The goal of a business is to make money and media outlets do so through ad revenue. So when it comes to hard hitting journalism verses making the advertisers/customers happy they're inclined to deliver news that sells. So even if newspapers and television stations are attempting to be unbiased, there's always room for doubt when the segment on health care is being sponsored by Ambient.

I guess the truth is out there but finding it is getting more difficult. But at least when I'm looking for info on the Iraq, US Americans, and the Asian countries, I know where to go.