Father's of Note
The term "deat-beat-dad" is thrown around a lot in today's culture. Some of these "men" refuse to support their children finantially. Others don't support their children by any other means other than money. Some of these men don't realize that their kids are their responsibility, so they spend ten times more time playing XBox 360 than they do playing with their kids. Anyway, I digress...
Last Sunday was Father's Day. This was a significant day for me since my wife and I are expecting our first child to be born around September 10. I was forced to think about the kind of dad I want to be for all of my future kids. So naturally, I thought about some fathers that I have observed over the 30 years of my life.
First off, my own dad. I have always said that if I become half the man that he is, I will be happy. He has been a perfect example of how to provide for a family. There is no one I know with a better work ethic. He taught me how to sacrifice for those I love. He taught me to seek the Lord 100%. As a boy, I thought my dad could fix anything...come to think of it...I still do. Thanks dad. You're the best.
Secondly, my Father-In-Law. I have observed in him over the last 7-8 years many things that I would do well to apply to my life. I have learned more about business, money and taking risks that I ever thought was out there. I have seen this father take out my mother-in-law on a weekly basis. I have learned how to get a killer tan. I also have overcome my fear of talking on my cell phone while in the bathroom. Thanks dad Mellon.
Another dad who I look up to is Dr. Tim. He has taught his sons how to be men. They know he loves them because of the hours and hours he has spent with them teaching how to hunt and fish. Thanks.
Many of my friends and in-laws (Chris, Scott, Mike, Jesse, Brett, Ronny, Trent and many others) already have children of different ages. Thank you for the examples you have unknowingly been to me as you raise your children.
Anyway, I thought some good dads deserved some credit.

ASSUME
This is a funny word. My high school soccer coach taught me one lesson I will always remember...and it wasn't about soccer (needless to say, he was a terrible coach). We'll get to that lesson in a few lines.
I find it irritating that so many people today think so highly of themselves. Surely the way they do their job is vastly superior to the way anyone else might do the same job. Surely the route they drive through town is the correct route. Surely the experiences they have had are head and shoulders above the experiences of others. Ofcourse they are correct on any subject no matter if they actually have any knowledge of that subject or not. They are right. Didn't you know?
What this boils down to is that many people in our society today love themselves so much that they naturally think everyone else should (or does) love them that much too. They think everyone else should get in line behind them and follow along like the sad little misinformed people they are. Heck, maybe the misinformed will be smart enough to take advantage of being in the presence of of such a wonderfully smart person and learn something. Right..........
On to the funny word. These people are actually assuming that they are correct or right or best or whatever. They assume that the rest of the world wants to or should be like them. Because it works for them, they assume that it will work for someone else. Here's the lesson from my coach... When we assume something about someone (follow along here) we make an (mentally separate the first three letters of the word assume from the last three letters, now separate the last two letters from the "u") (are you getting it?)...
Let me help: When we assume, we make an ass/u/me. When we assume, we make everyone involved look silly and the funniest part is that the person doing the assuming usually doesn't realize that they look silly!
What's the lesson all of us need to learn here? (I'm not assuming that I am an expert on this or that I can teach this to anyone. I am including myself in the learner category) Don't think so highly of yourself, myself, ourselves. Don't think that we are the authority in every situation and on every topic. Let's make a deal. I won't assume if you won't. Let's think about each other before we think about ourselves. Let's practice good, clear, open communication. Let's ask good questions. Let's not be so quick to offer our "expert" advice. Let's be careful and caring listeners. Let's not offer solutions so brashly. Does this work for you? Is it a deal?

Who really thinks this is cool?
Recently, while visiting some friends, I watched the CMA Award Show. For those of you who aren't fans of country music, this is the yearly Country Music Awards show. I would not classify myself as a huge country music fan but I was interested to see if Carrie Underwood would win any awards. Yes, I like Carrie Underwood, what of it!?
Anyway, on to the main topic of this "rant". During many of the performances through out the show there was a group of maybe 100-200 fans who were allowed to sit close to the performance stage. As I watched I was disturbed to see these fans start waving their hands in unison. Back and fourth, both arms extended skyward, palms facing the stage, right to left and back again...
I have seen this "move" many times before. It seems that this "dance" is destined to happen at every concert across the world at some point. I have seen it happen numerous times at youth camps and even during church services. My question is this: Why in the world do people do this?
I think this "dance", or whatever you want to call it, began by accident. Someone motioned for a friend and their wave happened to be in sequence with the beat of the song. For some unknown reason others thought this looked really "cool" so they joined in. Maybe it began in the '60's or '70's. Some pot smoking hippie tried to flag down the closest weed salesman and the people behind them (who were also high) thought this type of movement made them fly... I don't know.
Unfortunately, however it began, however long ago it was, people STILL wave their hands in unison today. The even bigger problem is that they STILL think it makes them look cool! No matter what they think, or how they feel, these people are goofy. Ant to the guy who takes it up a notch and adds a Bic lighter in his hand, you sir are an even bigger goof. Never mind the fact that you're dressed completely in denim. I can overlook the fact that your body odor is spreading faster than the bird flu. But please, for the love of God, if you are going to wave, at least wave with the beat! And stop looking around to see who else is waving with you because they are all on left while you are on right. Plus they are all dorks too! And yes, something smells bad...its you. All your waving has worn off your Old Spice underarm cream. To you sir, I hope you keep the Bic light for a long time... maybe a whole song. Long enough that when you put it back in your pocket it burns a hole through your Lee jeans and blisters your thigh!
So, here's to banning the "windshield wiper dance" forever. Here's to inflicting ridicule on people who take part in this activity. Here's to hopping none of us ever see people embarrass themselves in this manner again. Here's to remembering that if you are ever at a concert and feel the impulse to participate in this group dance, you're a NERD if you if you do it!