Consultation Coming Tomorrow

Dsc_00301Tomorrow (Monday the 18th) is Molly's consultation with Dr. Yamini at the University of Chicago.  It's at 11am. A little nervous, but mostly thankful it's finally here.  I'm probably most anxious about driving into the city and making it on time.

Molly has had a good week, considering.  She had about 2 good days where she regained her balance and lost some of her weakness problems.  She was having more headaches and other symptoms instead, but the most serious symptoms were not so bad and for that I'm very thankful.  Then it turned bad again, at least at times.  Laying down for another MRI really was painful on Wednesday and made the rest of the day miserable.  Sitting for a 2 hour movie was fine on Friday night, but when she got up it was a nightmare.  She could barely walk out of the building, and only did with a lot of help.

By the way, my back issues seem much better the last 4 days.  Still some stuff going on, but nothing big at all.  Working on posture while on my laptop and sleeping in the right positions has helped.

Please pray that Dr. Yamini will take Molly on the right course of treatment, which we assume will be surgery.  And pray that we will continue to trust that God is teaching us to trust Him more during difficult times.

Phriday is for Photos 6.15.07

Dsc_005920070610

Four on the Floor

The first is my lovely wife's feet at the pool.  Dangit, even when her face is out of focus she rocks my world!  The second is a favorite of my kids from last summer with their feet firmly planted on the bean.  I'm thinking of them a lot as Father's Day approaches, and as their mother is suffering right now.  Check out the rest of my photography, especially this delicious photo of my family, which I had forgotten about until a couple of days ago.

Salt and Light

God intends us to penetrate the world.  Christian salt has no business to remain snugly in elegant little ecclesiastical salt cellars; our place is to be rubbed into the secular community, as salt is rubbed into meat, to stop it going bad.  And when society does go bad, we Christians tend to throw up our hands in pious horror and reproach the non-Christian world; but should we not rather reproach ourselves?  One can hardly blame unsalted meat for going bad.  It cannot do anything else.  The real question to ask is: Where is the salt?

John Stott in The Message of the Sermon on the Mount, p 65.

Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC - The End

Joe Thorn has finished a day of photoblogging, and it's time for me to close out my day of live-blogging (which, by the way, was lived nowhere near the SBC in San Antonio).  I'm still nowhere near San Antonio.  I'm not getting closer to home, or farther from San Antonio.  I'm just here, where I've been.

I heard a movie podcast tonight, worked on Matthew 5:13-16 for next Sunday, and still haven't had a Double Stuf Cool Mint Creme Oreo.  Right before bed is the wrong time to have my first, so I will close the day with an empty stomach.  Maybe I will savor my first tomorrow.

I was reminded tonight, through the most ordinary of circumstances, that I really love my wife deeply.  Man, so much.  I love her and my kids so much that sometimes it hurts.  I'm continually gripped with the feeling that the loss of any of them would rip my heart into so many pieces that it may never function properly again.  But that's love, isn't it?  If life weren't so good now, and if these jewels in my breastplate weren't so priceless to me now, the pain that might ever come my way should they go missing would not be all that bad.  It has taken brain surgery to make that clearer than ever, and I'm very thankful for the scalpel that is hovering on our horizon.

Geez that sounded cheesy.  But the cheese here is without question not nearly as cheesy as the 2007 SBC in San Antonio must have been in the eyes of those who have eyes to see.  Our denominational affairs are so self-important.  Our denominational decisions are so over-hyped.  So I'm grateful to God that He allowed me the chance to live-blog here, which may as well be a million miles from ballots and reports and messengers and SBC celebrities. 

May God help us all to vote for the right things, at the right times, for the right reasons.  And may we vote first for Jesus, our Prophet, Priest, and King.  And then for our families, our local congregations, and our local communities, who need to the kind of preaching that reveals a spiritual poverty that will lead them to follow Jesus with heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Signing off, from anywhere but San Antonio, good evening.

Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC - Part 7

As I put up my seventh post today, I want welcome you to the most perfect live-blogging post ever.  It's not perfect like Johnny Hunt's tan perfect, or Bobby Welch's F.A.I.T.H. acronym perfect, or Bobby Welch's bus perfect, or Bobby Welch's dead frog illustration perfect.  Those are actually perfect.  This is just perfect because I like to imagine I do something perfect from time to time.

We went to Wal-Mart tonight to load up on essentials so that when Molly heads to surgery we will be well stocked.  I was looking for a good outdoor chair to buy, something comfortable for our backyard.  But I just couldn't decide.  They also had an $80 little gazebo canopy that looked simple to build and tear down.  But I just didn't have $80 to spare.  It was blue, in case you needed to picture it in your head.

Here are a few things we purchased...

- Five packs of Scott's Moist Wipes (or as we call it, "butt wipe")
- Two packages of IAMS cat food: Indoor Weight and Hairball Care for Calvin (had a $5 off coupon)
- Got2b Glued Hair Glue (for me, and Elijah's "shark" hairdo)
- Country Crock Churn Style
- DoubleStuf Oreo Cool Mint Creme

Ahh, a good day of shopping.  Then we let the boys ride those $.50 horse or car rides that the kids seem to love so much.  You know, the ones that break the bank and they barely move.  For $.50 the bull Jack was riding should buck him right on his keister.  But alas, it was too tame.

Molly was dragging by the time we were done, and wondering if her two better days were all she would experience.  Hopefully tomorrow will be another.

I just received the latest list of articles from Baptist Press and can't help but remember that after a few years of attending the SBC (and this year being nowhere near the SBC in San Antonio) I have never felt BP did a good job of reporting.  They help you know what those in power want you to know.  They give you the majority spin.  But they aren't about the real news.  I honestly don't mean that as a cut-down to BP.  I just wish they would say what they are and be ok with that.  As it is they don't seem genuine, and that hurts my feelings.  Ok, it doesn't.  But it should.

This year I have been getting my SBC in San Antonio news from BP & ABP (grain of salt) and from friends who are calling me with info (which is usually both funny and right on).

Let me also say that as I sit here far from San Antonio, I'm not thinking of Tim Ellsworth, or Marty Duren, or Scott Lamb, or Scott Slayton, or any of my SBC blogging friends.  I'm not thinking of Al Mohler, or Russ Moore, or Danny Akin, or O.S. Hawkins, or Ed Stetzer, or Frank Page, or that guy who finally won an election in the SBC and then abused some letterhead.  I'm not thinking of how many great books are on the LifeWay discount tables because SBC'rs don't buy good books.  I'm not thinking of how we pass resolutions thanking the President of the United States for liberating Iraq or sharing appreciation Ronald Reagan and brush off thoughtful, biblical and important resolutions by Tom Ascol.  I'm not thinking about reasons why I love us, but reasons why I hate us.

Honestly, with all truth, I'm thinking of my Double Stuf Cool Mint Creme Oreos that my wife has set next to me.  And I'm thinking that if I were in San Antonio, and I'm not, I'm nowhere near San Antonio, I wouldn't be enjoying 2 cookies at 150 calories and 7g of fat.  I just might eat 4.

See Joe Thorn's dinner pic.

Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC - Part 6

Wow, it's just after 5pm and there is still so much of the day left!  Ladies and Gents, I'm coming to you live from my backyard via home-based wifi which just happens to be not even slightly close to the SBC messenger clapfest in San Antonio, Texas.  I'm swatting the flies and enjoying the heat of the sun on a perfect summerish day.  Looks like Joe Thorn is doing the same in his backyard.

Question: Is this the first time the SBC has been held outside the U.S.?  Question: How hard was it for those of you who traveled to Texas to get a visa?  I've never had to get one.

Speaking of flies, I'm so glad I'm not down there swatting the flies of legalism and jerkwadism.  I'm glad I'm not hearing the seminary presidents, those "hornets," buzzing in my ears.  I'm glad I'm not getting the life-blood sucked out of me by every silly motion and discussion.  I'm glad I'm nowhere near the 2007 SBC and very near to my family (including my wife, who is smokin' hot), close to my church, and in the rays of pleasant sunshine. 

I'm also glad I'm not reading many of "the bloggers."  You know, I don't think a single blogger who is detailing the SBC is in my Google Reader.  I just realized that.  Honestly, while I call some of "the bloggers" friends, I'm just not like them.  I don't want what they want, I don't want to get it they way they want to get it, etc.  When most who aren't bloggers in the SBC talk about "the bloggers," I know they aren't really talking about me.  Maybe a few are from time to time, but for the most part they are talking about guys who are very much not like me.  Some guys (and gals) are trying to change the SBC with newsy posts and political pressure and insider information.  I'm just not that guy.  Enough on that.

After leaving "the bucks" at 3pm I came home and changed into some shorts.  Actually my blue shorts, my Dr. Pepper T-shirt (which I've worn at some point in each of the last three days), and my Dr. Martens flip-flops.  Oh, and my Cubs hat, worn with pride. 

At the church I delivered up some burgers and dogs on the grill for Market Day workers and their kids.  For a bit longer they are delivering goods to folks who are buying food and supporting local schools.  I enjoy finding new ways to serve my community, and always feel like I could/should do more.

I currently have this song stuck in my head, so I've had a direct IV of The Album Leaf to cure me.  Delightful music, worth checking out.

I also have been dealing with a full email inbox today. Lots of folks with encouraging, prayerful emails for me and for Molly.  Those have really helped me.  It's also been helpful today to see my wife walking without help.  She has been using a cane or holding my arm when walking for several days (nausea, numbness, balance, weakness issues).  Yesterday and today has been her first opportunity to walk on her own for a while.  And she also drove to Aldi!  She hasn't driven for a couple of weeks because of fear that she would not be able to react or be strong enough to do what's necessary.  It's been a good day.

And now I'm sipping a Coca-Cola from a can and heading over to the church to help them finish up in the next 30 minutes or so.  More later.

Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC - Part 5

Heyo!  I'm live, just about on my way out of a Starbucks that isn't anywhere near San Antonio or fat SBC'rs in little coats.  I'm not leaving any Crossover San Antonio tracks on the tables here, and I'm not reporting the many spurious conversions that have happened in Starbucks since I sat down here late this morning.  And unlike what's happening in San Antonio I'm not judging the post-punk-ish music on the loudspeaker, the Mitch Albom book for sale, the girl with the multi-colored hair or the pastor working in his blue jeans (oh wait, that's me!).

It's been a hard workday here with many interruptions.  All good interruptions.  But still didn't get enough done.  I'll do more tonight.  The interruptions have included good friends wanting to get up to date on Molly and future surgery, and a woman in town who is helping organize aid for victims of a local (non-San Antonio) apartment fire.

Headed now to our house to get our grill and drag it to our church.  We are letting our local schools use the church this summer to distribute Market Day stuff and they want to cook out for the volunteer workers. 

For the record I've talked to Joe Thorn on the phone 4 times in the last 4 hours.  Pretty normal really for me and my "boyfriend." 

More updates on this amazing, life-changing, non-SBC attending day coming soon.  And I'm certain to encounter no southern accents, no chicken fried anything that isn't chicken, no Soul Force protesters, and no pastor's wives wearing more makeup than Marilyn Manson.

Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC - Part 4

Once again, I'm coming to you live from not San Antonio, not from the SBC.  I'm not filing through lines of guys waiting for a urinal.  I'm not wondering where to get a vending machine Coke for less than $3.  And I'm not looking through the crowd to catch of glimpse of some SBC celeb.  I'm not looking Mark Dever with his 400 disciples.  I'm not searching the myriad of hair impaired to catch the twinkle Ergun Caner's cranium.  I'm just not because I'm not there, I'm here. 

Just before my devotional time I was interrupted by another pastor in town who came into Starbucks for his fix.  We talked about his new church building and all the problems they are having.  We talked about my wife and all the problems she's having.  He's a good guy and I'm glad to know him.

After my devotional time I got a call from my wife.  She has been doing much better with her balance issues in the last two days and wants to try to drive to Aldi.  I gave her the "ok" and we'll see how she does.  Glad to hear she's moving a bit better.

Steve_joe_sbc_2006 I'm still finishing up some busy work now, all that stuff they don't teach you in seminary.  I'll be working straight through 3pm and then I'll be at my church.  But I'll be sure to keep you up to date with stuff there too. 

And as I work I'm not thinking about San Antonio.  I'm not thinking about what they will vote on that will once again make it more difficult to be a "Southern Baptist."  I'm not thinking about last year's alcohol resolution or my similar tendency to be a jerk-hole fundamentalist.  I'm not thinking about how I wish I could pose with Joe Thorn for another photo. 

And since I'm live-blogging not in San Antonio, I'm definitely not thinking about how much I miss my family.

Joe Thorn is still live photoblogging his day.

Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC - Part 3

Hi there.  Steve here, once again live-blogging nowhere near the SBC in San Antonio.  Yep, that means as lunchtime approaches I'm not waiting for a table at a chain restaurant (Lone Star or something similar) with 75 other messengers hoping to get a ginormous loaded baked potato.  Instead I am still at Starbucks, now headed into a devotional time. 

I have a small ESV Bible that I use for devotional reading and sermon work.  I also carry a pocket Moleskine for journaling.  I will read my sermon passage (Matthew 5:13-16) as well as from Proverbs, Psalms, and 1 Thessalonians.

By the way, today is a gorgeous day here in non-San Antonio.  No clouds, brilliant blue sky, barely a breeze, temps in the 80's.  Gotta love it.  When I walked out of the house this morning I took a deep breath, looked into the trees and smiled.  No, seriously.  I do that a lot on beautiful days.

Off to my Bible.  Nothing new from Joe at the moment.  Coming soon I'm sure.

Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC - Part 2

CoffeeHey, I'm absolutely nowhere near the SBC in San Antonio as I write this.  I'm nowhere near people saying LifeWay should not sell the Narnia books, or resolutions created merely to make a point that isn't actually stated in the resolution, or evangelists in canary-yellow suits, or shofars. 

But I am near a piping hot cup of coffee (well, it's a grande skim 3 pump extra-hot with whip mocha actually).  I also received a free, large piece of Starbucks classic coffee cake because they couldn't fit it in the display case (photos via my camera phone).  I'm not sure if I'm going to eat it or not.  I already tried to give it to someone, but they weren't hungry.

Coffeecake On the way here I started up some Miranda Lambert in the car, but then realized I should call Joe Thorn and see what he's doing.  In case you were wondering, Joe is much more important than country music.

Right now I'm working first on some "busy work" like creating our weekly church bulletin and PowerPoint.  After that I expect to do some sermon work on Matthew 5:13-16 for this Sunday.  I'm listening to The Innocence Mission: We Walked in Song.  Wonderful music.  Talk with you again soon.

Joe has another entry as he photoblogs his day.

Live Blogging Nowhere Near the 2007 SBC

Hello!  Thanks for reading as I live-blog all day today.  I'm absolutely nowhere near the SBC in San Antonio, but I knew that some of you who have gotten use to me and Joe Thorn blogging the SBC (2005, 2006) would be in withdrawal.  So we have decided to live-blog throughout the day so that you have some relief from the absurdity of what is happening in San Antonio.  I'm live-blogging my day, and Joe Thorn is photoblogging his day (Joe's first and second and third post).

I woke up late today with no meetings to go to, no sessions starting, no hotel wake-up call to get me out of my bed.  I was a little tired because I stayed up late last night to watch Letters from Iwo Jima.  Some movie.

And Molly postponed waking me because she wanted to wake me up to the smell of bacon and eggs on the table.  Yeah buddy.  Molly and Sarah made the goods, and Elijah and Daniel wanted to sneak a bit of bacon early, so Mom had them set the table for a strip apiece.  Then we all sat together, sang a song of thankfulness, and devoured eggs, bacon, english muffins, and a fruit bowl (pineapple, apples, bananas).  Delicious.  We also played "20 Questions," a favorite table game for our family where we take turns thinking up a person, place, or thing and then ask questions to figure it out.  When we sit at the table we often take our time and enjoy one another.

I took an extra-warm shower to provide me some relief from my back issues, and it felt good.  Oh, and I washed myself too.  I put on some jeans and a button up short-sleeved shirt and and am leaving to go to my local coffee shop to get some work done.  I spent a few minutes talking with Molly first, to see how she is feeling today.  She is doing worse than yesterday, but better than two days ago.

Off to the coffee shop.

John Piper is Cheap!

Nice deal.  Get on it.  From Abraham Piper at the Desiring God Blog...

We would like to offer the book What Jesus Demands from the World for $2.97 to our readers. (It retails for $19.99 and we usually sell it for $12.49.)

This may be the first post you've seen here at the DG Blog or you may be a regular reader. Either way, we appreciate your interest and we would be very happy for you to take advantage of this special.

To get the discount, add the book to your cart in our store. Proceed through the checkout and on the payment page there will be a field to enter a coupon code. Enter the word blog and then click on "Apply Code."

Small print: This special is only available online. One discounted book per order. We've set aside 500 books for this, so it is a while-supplies-last kind of deal.

I also ought to add that you can always download  this book for free (PDF) along with a bunch of our other books if you don't mind reading a couple hundred pages on your computer screen.

Video of Chiari Surgery

Niptuck_2If you are interested, here's video of a Chiari 1 Malformation surgery.  I've seen the whole thing, Molly has seen much of it, and all of our kids have watched pieces (they especially like the part where they can see the brain.  Pretty cool really.). 

It's video of a live surgery, so it's not always easy to watch.  Probably not best to watch before a lasagna dinner.

Music Monday 6.11.07

Music_please_2A Couple of Links Worth Clicking

New New Pornographers in August, including an interesting sounding boxed set that you can preorder

Get the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's old, out of print EP from 2001.

A Couple of Albums Worth Hearing

Camera Obscura: Let's Get Out of This Country

Gorgeous.  I could listen to Tracyanne Campbells voice all day and into the night.  A great, heartbroken album.  My favorite track, "Tears for Affairs," can be heard on their MySpace.  Or watch the video...

Miranda Lambert: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

I do have a (mostly hidden) soft spot for country music.  Probably has something to do with what kind of music I was listening to when Molly came on the scene and rocked my world.  It also has something to do with finding good country music by someone who is young and fresh.  I think I found some in Miranda Lambert, who is burning up my iPod.

Miranda_2 Honestly, it was hard for this guy to pick up the album and pay for it.  It's called "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" for crying out loud.  I felt like I was buying Kotex.  But it's good, new country music by a girl with a striking and sassy voice.  Check her MySpace songs.

The Village Voice comments,

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a conceptual wonder. "Famous in a Small Town" makes wise about "the telephoto lens of fame," while "Guilty in Here" recalls the self-conscious aggression of Elvis Costello and the Attractions playing country on Almost Blue. Lambert turns the Rolling Stones on their heads when she sings, "I don't think I have any more room underneath my thumb." Her distracted, sexy vocals glide over an overstated drum attack and an amusing selection of sound effects, and she sounds cooled out on Carlene Carter and Susanna Clark's "Easy From Now On," which proves this wild child is big-town savvy.

AllMusic reviews,

...these are lean, hard-hitting, tuneful country songs, delivered with a classic outlaw strut and a vicious modern punch. If Lambert has a thin, almost girlish voice, she's hardly girly -- there's an edge to her delivery that leaves no doubt that she possess nerves of steel. But for as strong as she sounds on the plentiful rockers here, Lambert also lets her guard down on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, as she as she soaks her "Love Letters" with tears, sweetly sighs in "Desperation," and sadly wishes she was "More Like Her" as she looks on as her ex-lover returns to his old love. This last song provides a neat flip side to the rampaging title track, which also hints at this album's complexity. There are songs that are larger than life, songs that are achingly intimate, and they all add up to rich artistic statement of purpose that is also a hell of a lot of fun.

[...]

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend would have been impressive if it was just a showcase of her strengths as a singer or as a songwriter, but since it is both, it's simply stunning, a breakthrough for Lambert and one of the best albums of 2007, regardless of genre.

Warning: the following videos include a non-ugly girl in non-baggy clothing singing great songs.  Nothing terribly provocative, but I know that some who read my blog are pretty sensitive about that stuff.  Enjoy.  See other videos at the CMT website.

"Famous in a Small Town"

"Kerosene" (from her debut album)

Molly's Email Address

Dsc_0007I've said a lot about Molly, what she is going through, what she is going to go through, and so on.  I thought it would be good to let you know her direct email address.  Anyone is free to contact her and send any encouragement her way.  She checks her email often, more than once a day. 

By the way, if you email her to tell her how absolutely stunning and hot she is (that's my job), I will hunt you down and rip your face off (that's my job too). 

mollymccoy [at] gmail [dot] com

Weekend Update About The Chiari Challenged

ChiarimalformationlgQuick update on Molly, upcoming surgery, and the rest.

Molly's health:  Please continue to pray for her.  She is now experiencing nausea at times and is having some issues with her vision.  I believe neither are too surprising with Chiari, but as the symptoms mount so does her pain, discomfort, frustrations, and tears.  She is really struggling emotionally with all this.  Just in case, Molly will talk to the Neurologist on Monday to keep him up to date on her new symptoms.  That way if he notices anything odd we can deal with it right away.

Kid Story: Jack, our 8 year old autistic son, is one of those kids who just never seems to notice the problems of others.  He lives in his little world and is rare to have compassion.  Tonight, completely on his own initiative, Jack was helping Molly walk around, hand around her waist, looking at her face to see if she was in pain, asking if she was doing ok, etc.  It really touched Molly.  What a great kid, and what a wonderful experience for us during a difficult time.

Spirituality: Now is one of those times that John Piper's "Don't Waste Your Cancer" takes on a special meaning.  I mean, I thought it was "special" enough to have my Mom die of cancer in April and learn my lessons there.  But God is continuing to use pain and difficulty and fear to teach us about His goodness and mercy, so we read on and continue to trust Him.  I'm thinking of writing a "Don't Waste Your Chiari" article, but who knows???

Chiari1 Place?:  As Molly's surgical consultation with Dr. Yamini at the University of Chicago approaches on the 18th, we have also heard from Mayo Clinic in MN.  They have her scheduled to be up there on July 2nd for a consultation.  They would schedule a surgery several days after that.  That means we would have to make one trip for the consultation, return home, and go back up at a later date.  With that news, we are most certainly planning on going with the University of Chicago unless the consultation there doesn't go well or we feel uncomfortable with them.  Then we would go to Mayo as a backup.

Stocking Up: We went to Sam's Club yesterday to stock up on paper plates and "even-Steve-can-make-that" food for post-surgery time at home.  I've heard of the nesting idea with child birth, but Molly seems to be experiencing it with surgery. 

Steve: You aren't going to believe this, but about a week before Molly started to experience symptoms from Chiari 1 Malformation I was at the doctor with back pain.  The doctor thought it was just muscle issues.  It almost completely went away and then returned, and it's worse.  I now have significant pain.  On the day we went to Sam's I started to experience numbness in my left arm.  I made it to the doctor again yesterday and he thinks I have a pinched nerve.  Unbelievable.  When it rains it pours.   Neither of us have a history of any major medical issues, and now we are getting it all at once.  I have really battled the idea of telling anyone about my stuff because I can deal with the pain in order to help my wife.  But I thought it was stupid of me to be quiet about it when some could be praying for me. 

Next: Molly has to have another MRI next week.  She is dreading it, as expected.  If anything new pops up, I will let you all know.  Thanks again for praying.

VOTE NOW!!!

Dsc_0033I don't normally do this!  My sister, who is a pretty good singer, sang in the Bartonville Idol contest and after the event had a huge lead in the online poll.  The winner goes on to amazing fame (or some cash, or something).  But it appears that some others on the list are enlisting all their friends to vote for them (rather than those who have actually listened) and it's now tied.  SHE NEEDS OUR HELP! 

Please go to the Bartonville Idol website and on the right side vote for Julie Legner.  You must do this immediately before they take the poll down in the next couple of hours.  Since you didn't hear her sing (and I can't seem to access the singing online) I wouldn't normally ask for something like this.  But it seems clear from some who were there that her big lead has been erased by the friends-n-family voting, not by those who have honestly listened.  So do me/her a favor and help her get her lead back!  Thanks.

UPDATE: The audio is working now on the website and there is no comparison between Julie and the others.  She can belt it.  Puleeze vote.