Big Al, with a couple of pretty little cowgirls at VBS yesterday

Today is Day 4 of VBS. Tomorrow is what I affectionately call The Grand Tamale.Last night was my latest training session on the road to becoming sworn in as a CASA volunteer. I sat in a bad chair for three straight hours (no breaks), most of which was spent listening to two gentlemen from the district attorney’s office educate us on substance abuse. It was, at once, both fascinating and disheartening.

In case you haven’t heard, the war on drugs has not gone well. At all. It seems people have pretty much got it backwards; instead of saying “no,” there has been a resounding YES to drugs in our communities. Our instructors last evening, along with the youth court judge, estimated that nearly 90% of all court cases in Jackson County are drug-related. For example, the charge might be burglary, but when you explore the “why” behind the burglary, nine times out of ten it is because of drugs.

In between establishing the enormity of the problem and the primer on what we as CASA volunteers should look for (with a particular focus on spotting a meth lab on our home visits), there was an important question raised: Why? Why do so many people turn to drugs? Research pinpoints two main reasons: (1) mental illness (with much fewer instances, and interestingly, these cases aren’t so much as to get “high” but to feel normal), and (2) to cope with life (a means to escape).

I thought about the overwhelming reason people use drugs – to escape the misery of their life – and I came to an interesting conclusion: the future of the war on drugs doesn’t look so hot. I say this because the war on drugs doesn’t address the root problem. Our local law enforcement personnel do a terrific job of arresting and prosecuting perpetrators, and our legislators continue to modify the laws to help in the arresting and prosecuting. But who is dealing with the root problem of human misery?

I’m afraid that drug enforcement officers have one good thing going for them, and that is job security.

Our government can (and should) declare war on those who exploit others, and it can bust perpetrators. But laws cannot give people a real reason to live.

I become more and more convinced each day that Jesus really did offer up the meaning of life when he taught indiscriminate love. I long for a day when those who claim to follow him (a) grasp that this IS the good news, and (b) make it central to who we are and what we do.

Until we go beyond “Say No” and offer people something to say YES to, we’re in for a depressing ride.

Yesterday was our second-ever end-of-quarter combined class at the Ocean Springs Church of Christ. Six months ago, each Sunday class was challenged to do more than simply talk about following Jesus, but to actually “go into the world” and serve the hurting. On the last class of each quarter, we would meet together to talk about what we had experienced.

Yesterday, we heard about…

* Our Senior Saints class providing gift boxes to all the families of new babies at the hospital

* Our 40-Something class becoming volunteers with programs that mentor at-risk children

* Our Young Adult class’s ministry to single-parent families

* Our Teens work day rebuilding hurricane-ravaged houses

* Our 3rd-5th graders visiting shut-ins

* Our 4s-5s & 1st-2nd grade classes combined efforts to provide books for children at the battered women’s shelter

* And our 2s-3s beautiful artwork for the hurting, as demonstrated by Brynn above

We’ve got a long ways ago until reaching out to a hurting world becomes the central focus of who we are called to be as followers of Jesus, but on days like yesterday, I feel as if we’ve taken a couple of steps in the right direction.

When Hurricane Katrina struck our area twenty-three months ago today, it poured water into the houses of twenty-seven of our church families. Due to the unbelievable influx of money, workers, and supplies responding to our cries for help, almost every family was back in a permanent house (some their old house, and some a new house) within a few months. For a couple of families, however, their situation was more complicated, and the wait much longer.

The Lawler family is still waiting.

For one, they are involved in substantial litigation with their insurance company. For two, they live in an area that faces complicated new building standards.

Thankfully, they were blessed with a very nice house so that they haven’t had to cramp into a FEMA trailer these almost two years. But still, they aren’t home.

Shannon sent me some pictures this weekend of the footings FINALLY being poured for their house! They are very excited for things to really be underway. As is the case with new construction, there will be lots of weather issues and contractor issues to deal with along the way, so there are no firm predictions for how long this will take. But it’s started. And that’s a good feeling.

Well, I survived my two-day gig with three jobs at Vacation Bible School. I can now turn over the roles of “Sing & Play Stampede Leader” and “Showtime Roundup Leader” to my youth minister, Trent, and focus on my initial role as “Spotlight Drama Leader.”

The Spotlight Drama deal is pretty cool. The prepackaged VBS kit from Group Publishing came with a CD containing five powerpoint shows for me to use. During “Horseplay Games” time each day, I steal a few of the kids and have them pose in a variety of interesting poses while I take pictures (like Brandon’s picture above). Then, I go to the computer and insert the pics into a neat little show that everyone sees at the end of the day.

In case you’re wondering, yesterday’s show was to the praise song, “Praise the Lord,” and Brandon’s pose came at the line “No matter where you’ve been.”

Kids LOVE getting their picture made, and kids LOVE seeing themselves on the big screen.

Yup, cool job. With a job like this, maybe John Dobbs and I both would be more fond of VBS?!?! Maybe I can reserve this job for every Vacation Bible School?

Our church building was transformed into Avalanche Ranch yesterday to take children on a Wild Ride through God’s Word. Everything went remarkably well, and without a doubt, my longstanding standard for VBS success (that the kids have fun) was more than attained.

It’s just after 7am, and it’s about time for me to don my cowboy hat and slip on my cowboy boots again and continue our Wild Ride. If all goes as planned, the children will leave today having been firmly taught that God is with them wherever we go.

Not a bad goal for a day, huh?

I’ve been tagged by my friend, John Dobbs (you can read his list HERE). The tag calls for me to list eight random things about myself. To quote Mr. Dobbs, “Random things are not necessarily marvelous things…or good things … or even interesting things. These do not purport to be secret things that no one else knows. So keep that in mind when reading my list.” So, there.

The Rules:
* Players start with 8 random facts about themselves.
* Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 random facts.
* Players should tag 8 other people and notify them they have been tagged.

EIGHT RANDOM FACTS ABOUT AL STURGEON
1. I don’t like iced tea.
2. I am legally blind in my left eye.
3. I was in a wheelchair at my wedding.
4. I have a half-full shampoo bottle that I don’t know what to do with.
5. I rarely listen to the radio while driving.
6. I rarely get angry about anything, but for some reason car trouble and computer trouble are the two things that really get under my skin.
7. I’m addicted to planning: when I have free time, I usually end up planning a big new project that I later regret.
8. My dad was fifty years older than me.

Now, my turn to do the tagging. I’ll go with…
1. Troy the Megachurch Pastor
2. David the Dentist
3. Ric the Surfer Dude
4. Laura Landhardy
5. Bruno the Liberal
6. Travis (aka Paul Bunyan)
7. My Twin, Amy
8. Marianne the Female Michael Jordan

I’m up to my Gospel Chariot in getting ready for VBS, among other things.

Jessica, our director, chose Group Magazine’s “Avalanche Ranch” package for our VBS experience this summer. It has lots and lots of fun, creative stuff in it. She asked me to be in charge of Spotlight Drama, which is a perfect match for me. I get to take lots of cool pictures and turn them into a powerpoint show involving the kids that is shown in the closing session each day. I’m really looking forward to that part.

But…

Trent, our youth minister, is the Sing and Play Stampede Leader. Another good match, except that Trent is on a trip with the teenagers this week. Our five-day VBS begins this Thursday and runs weekdays through next Wednesday, meaning that Trent won’t be there for the first two days. Guess who gets to be the Sing and Play Stampede Leader for those two days?

Yee-Haw!!!!!

Now I normally wouldn’t mind at all (I’ve learned that singing goofy songs with kids is not that big a deal after all). I tracked down a cowboy hat yesterday, pulled out my blue jeans, and found some boots, too. I was really getting into the fun! Then last evening I pulled out the song CD and realized that I was in WAY over my head. Lots and lots of new songs with lots and lots of hand motions to learn – and VBS begins tomorrow. Uh-oh.

I went to the church building last night, where Jessica and Cryste were working on decorations. I felt like a heel giving Jessica something else to worry about (did I forget to mention that she is very pregnant in addition to all the VBS planning?), but there was just no way that the songs would go off as planned.

But she was awesome. We actually had fun, the three of us, coming up with a slightly modified plan. And it will work well.

Yee-haw!!!!!

I just have to squeeze in a lot more VBS preparations today than I expected, but it’s worth it for the children.

Every once in a while it dawns on me that life is mostly fodder for what really matters, which is spending time with people. Laughing with Jessica and Cryste last night, and being goofy with children tomorrow morning… those are the things that matter. The rest are just details, and not worth the stress they have the tendency to create.

Last night was training session number three (of ten) on my path to become a CASA volunteer. I have the tendency to get involved in too many things, but I am very glad to be getting involved in CASA. I still highly encourage others to consider it, too. You can go to the national website HERE, type in your zip code, and the search will call up where you can get started in becoming a volunteer. As the advertisement dramatically communicates above, it is rather important work.

Last night’s training session was on Cultural Competency, and Miriam from Biloxi Regional Medical Center did a terrific job instructing us in this area. She focused much of her instruction on the Hispanic and Vietnamese population since both groups are notably represented in our service area. I learned I am very much culturally incompetent. I have SO much to learn.

I taught a class at church recently on “acceptance” in a world that loves to draw lines that separate. It is sadly ironic that many American Christians are scared to death of words like acceptance, diversity, and tolerance. In America, popularly presented as the great melting pot. Followers of Jesus, the lover of all.

I understand the fear. I think. It’s the “I’m okay, you’re okay” thinking that is in question: most American Christians don’t seem to think others are okay (even other Christians). I relate to this feeling, although my lines end up drawn in funny places.

But that’s not the point.

Instead, a CASA volunteer needs a session on diversity training because written into American law is a fundamental respect for differences among its citizens.

And I’m afraid Christian churches in America need similar sessions, though for a very different reason. We need to learn how to love everyone regardless of categorization first – in spite of anything that might stand in the way of love. Like God loves us.

Yesterday was the return portion of Family Road Trip ‘07. After worshiping together at the Grapevine Church of Christ, we enjoyed some excellent Texas BBQ at Spring Creek Barbecue, then said our good-byes.

If it was an emotional good-bye, we did a good job of not showing it. Felt more strange than anything else: so much is scheduled to happen between now and next summer, one would think we’d be overcome with… well, some kind of emotion I guess. But maybe emotion is overrated. Sometimes you just have to get on with it.

I heard myself say things like…

“Jessica, we’ll be thinking about you during your surgery.”
“Jacquelyn, hope your last year of college goes well.”
“John Mark, be careful driving to North Carolina to start your new life.”
“Joseph and Hillary, we’ll see you at your wedding next May.”
“Josh, have fun moving to New York City.”

Snippets from the theme song to my blog come to mind: days turn to minutes, and minutes to memories… you are young and you are the future… be the best you can…

Very weird to notice that, though I’ve driven 600 miles to hang out with my sisters and mom, I spent some special quality time with just my wife and daughter yesterday. Twice!!!

#1: Everyone went different directions around lunchtime yesterday, and we ended up watching Pirates of the Caribbean 3 at the movie theater. Lots of action in this loooonnnggg movie, but it was fun. That Johnny Depp is something else…

#2: Then last night, when a movie ended up on the television that was a bit beyond Hillary, we went for a walk down to a neighborhood park. As you can see from the picture, my wife and I ended up in a little swinging competition. She won, of course.

Who knew we had to drive to Texas to spend some quiet time together?