Nobody's #1

I was going to make this a big long diatribe about something deeply spiritual or philosophical. Something that would stir readers to write back with comments like, "Wow, thank you. You've changed my life."

Heh. How arrogant of me, huh?

Instead, I just decided I'd do a few random comments. I've had several events take place over the past couple days that don't relate to each other in any way. So here goes.

On old friends: I went with Sarah to her 10 year high school reunion. It was great seeing everyone in her class that could make it. Since we both went to the same, small school, I knew them all, and they were friends growing up. It was great to see them and to catch up on their lives. I was also reminded that I attended (if Megan is correct) 6 Jr/Sr banquets (our equivalent of a prom,) with four different girls....which--as far as we can tell--is a record still unmatched. I'm both greatly ashamed and proud of this accomplishment. As Megan once told me, I was a "whore."

On being a "whore": If you've never listened to the singer/songwriter Derek Webb, I highly encourage it. He has a song called, "Wedding Dress" that sums up a lot of truths about modern-day churches, and modern-day Christians. I am a whore, I do confess. I put you on just like a wedding dress and run down the aisle...

On the church: I had a really good conversation with a friend the other day about the church, and what is wrong and right with it. I have learned to find a lot of dislike in organized religion. I think there is a growing number of Christians who feel the same way--and agree that a "new vision" is needed for the church. Personally, I think we have a short time to make the changes in how we reach individuals; in how we evangelize in an authentic way; in how we disciple our children to be the next generation; in how we put away the man-made doctrines that so often seem to drive good people away from the truth of the gospel; in how we "do church."

On my role in the church: I mentioned in my "nobody" blog that I feel in my heart that I'm called to ministry in some form. Particularly, I feel a strong call to worship ministry. I'm praying for a current opportunity, and seeing if God's opening that door or shutting it in my face. Either way should be interesting. One thing that may hold me back is that I want to do worship/ministry differently--based on the brief comments I made a moment ago. Even though I've done worship ministry before, in varying forms, I feel like there are new areas to explore. I feel there are more authentic ways to do it. People see through "fluff" and "show" pretty quickly, and I want to create a worship time that gets beyond the surface and beyond the gloss to the gritty, dirty, naked worship (okay, not literally...sorry for any bad visual images I've just lavished on you.)

On God's sense of humor: We had a big service at church today. It was a patriotic service with this week being the 4th of July. It was highly-choreographed. It was very "Branson." (You Andy Williams fans would've appreciated it.) But, for me, it was very over-the-top. It wasn't a time of worship for me at all. It was more about putting on a show. Mind you, the guest speaker was very good. But, overall, it was a very scripted and showy service.

But, God has a sense of humor. On a morning with a huge turnout, when "excellence" is so strived for on a technical and programming level, God got a good laugh. And so did I. We had spent the last couple weeks putting together a special slide presentation of veterans in the church. I had spent a lot of time yesterday putting together PowerPoint slides for the service as well...making sure everything would fit into the plans the leadership had for the day.

We went through rehearsal and everything went very smoothly. So smoothly, that our minister said something to me of how smooth things had gone.

"You know what that means?" I asked. "It means that either the projectors going to die, the flag is gonna fall in the baptismal, or a pack of wild dogs are going to come through during the service. When it's this smooth, something's bound to happen."

He laughed, and commented that if so, we'd just move on. I said the same.

About 3 minutes later the big screen projector died.

We troubleshooted, and decided it was overheating. We left it off up until service time to let it cool. We turned it on, and it lasted about 30 seconds.

So, on this highly-planned, highly-anticipated (by some), highly-choreographed day, we had to be flexible. Honestly, it went pretty well for something that has become so critical to the service.

Still, I think God got a good chuckle.

On Independence Days: It was a reminder today of my last service as worship leader at the same church about 4 years ago. After serving for a couple years in a part-time role, it became obvious that I needed to get out. I was trying to work a full-time job, we were just starting foster parenting, and I was trying to be a full-time leader for part-time pay. Something had to give, and after lots of prayer and questioning, I felt leaving the role was the right move.

My last day was the Independence Day celebration that year. It seems interesting to me that, four years later, I'm considering returning to that post...if the opportunity is offered.

On the Fourth of July: Nine years ago, Sarah and I went to her grandparents' house in Hillview, KY to meet up with her two younger cousins, Phillip and Amy. We drove over to the local Wal-Mart parking lot, and bought about $25 in sparklers and fountains. We went back to their house and lit them all. Sarah and Amy ran around the yard with a sparkler in each hand. A tradition began.

Forward nine years, and introduce yourself to the Longest-Miller 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza and Independence Day Celebration of Patriotism and National Pride. (To clarify, that's me as George Wahington, Phillip as Martin Van Buren, Sarah as Ben Franklin, and Amy as Thomas Jefferson.) Every year, we've tried to up the ante a bit...either through lengthening of the name of the event or improving on the fireworks. This year, I think we've managed to do both. This year's name is great, and I am highly pleased with how my photoshopping came out on the invitation. But, what excites me most is the pyrotechnic display at the end of the night. Today, I traveled to Southern Indiana (where you can buy the stuff but can't use it) and was able to acquire about $112 worth of LEGAL (in some places) fireworks.

200 small rockets
40 medium rockets
54 large mortar shells

We've had versions of all of these in the past, but the mortars this year are larger than in the past. I'm giddy.

But, I'm also already thinking about the 10th anniversary next year.

On Apples: Yes, my wife thinks we're all freaks. She doesn't understand us at all, and I don't think she really has any desire to ever understand us. But, I gotta say, some of the Apples have become good friends recently. It's nice to have new friends that seem like old friends. It's nice to have this oddball, creative community to call my own. It's nice to be able to help each other out and to understand each other's "language." Even if some of us listen to Duran Duran, like Lynn's Paradise Cafe's atmosphere, or enjoy watching "What's Love Got to do With It -- the Tina Turner Story."

On getting together with some Apples: I'm hoping to do so in a few weeks. I'm excited. I need my Apple "fix" since I probably won't get to make it to the Fraze show next month. Lynn's Paradise Cafe, anyone?

On how I'm gonna wrap up this post: I was gonna just say "Seacrest OUT!" But that led me to another thought...

On American Idol coming to Louisville next month: I can't decide if this is a good or bad thing. Mostly, I'm thinking bad. 'Cause when those "worst of" shows air at the beginning of next season, you know they'll portray Louisville as a hillbilly town. And, as those of us in louky always do, we'll perpetuate the stereotype....Corn hole, mullet and all.

On how I'm really gonna wrap up this post: Very simply.

editor's note: you may have noticed that I've updated some of the post titles. I thought it'd be interesting to match the topics with a song title or lyric from OtR. Shout Out!s will now be headlined with "etcetera. Whatever." - pL