Elvis Rumored Seen in Nashville Honkey Tonk!

And in related news, we have confirmed reports that Kyle Meadors is actually alive despite months of inactivity both in his blog and his social life. After several unconfirmed rumors of his activity in random parts of the Bellevue area of Nashville, we were able to obtain documented proof of his existence today at the First Baptist Church of Nashville's Fall Festival. Mr. Meadors was captured in several pictures by different families enjoying themselves at the tremendously well planned and well run Fall Festival, overseen by Mr. Meadors wife, Shannon Meadors, minister to children at the church. Mr. Meadors was observed next to an astronaut and a small, but incredibly cute, alien life form. It is believed these were his children, possibly in Halloween costumes, but we have not confirmed this. One obvious source of  confirmation that is missing is the publishing of these pictures on Mr. Meadors' blog. After all, you would think a father would have pictures of his kids dressed out in their Halloween gear up on his blog, yet they are not on his site as they are from previous Halloweens. However, it could be due to the rumors that Mr. Meadors is so incredibly busy due to his job as Director of EHR Testing with Drummond Group, an ONC-ATCB performing EHR certification testing, that he does not have the energy or time to properly update his blog. We will keep you posted on this fascinating story although you probably won't hear anything about it from this media source for another month or two.

When we come back from the break: fruit bats. Harmless pets or deadly, disease reservoirs.

Sleepy Jedi Princess Ranger

We have bin in the playroom for our dress up outfits, and Ava loves to raid it. What is hilarious is that she dresses herself in a variety of garb. This morning, still in her pajamas, she designed this.

Jacob's Big Month

Not only did my big boy turn 6 this month but he started kindergarten. So far, so good with the Big K. I think his favorite part is riding the bus. I am happy for him. Starting your formal schooling is a rite of passage and being educated is a blessing. Enjoy the pictures from Jacob's big month.

My Car is Old

My 2000 Toyota Corrola is old. How old. Some years back the steering wheel grip began falling off, the smooth rubber covering deteriating. For a birthday gift, Shannon bought me a new steering wheel cover (she did get me other birthday gifts besides that). I used the cover but eventually that top of the cover, the part where my hands are typically at, began to deteriate. So I took off the cover and rotated it 180 degrees so the smooth bottom half was now at the top.

Today, I noticed the former bottom, now top part of the steering wheel cover is deteriating. I have had my car long enough to work through 3 different layers of protective steering wheel cover. So what will I do?

Go buy another steering wheel cover. They cost like $10 bucks at Target. A new car is thousands of dollars. I forgot to mention the car is and always has been paid for.

My Regular 6-Week Post

Since I am averaging a post every 6 weeks or so, I am obligated to write something here. Nothing much has gone on. Just bought a house. Like to see it? If I could find my camera after the move, I would take some pictures and show you. Shannon may have it, but since she is currently on her way back from CentriKid camp, I can't ask her. But it is a really pretty home. Come by sometime. Just not in the next week or two as we still have boxes everywhere. But by mid-August, it will be more hospitable.

Jacob Preschool Graduation

Summer is here. Not officially of course, but the practical reality reveal all the key signs. Children are out of school being the most prominent. My son is still in his Goddard preschool in Franklin, but they had their "graduation" ceremony last week. It was suprisingly touching. They sang a little song that included lyrics that were essentially "goodbye preschool hello kindergarten" which made Shannon choke up a bit thinking of the suddenness of our little boy being an official kindergartener.

Here are a few photos taken at graduation along with some candids of the kids taken at home the day of. The thumbnails are random from the particular album but select one and it will take you the photo gallery to see all of them.

[zenphotopress album=148 sort=random number=10]

These Girls are Different

As I have mentioned, Ava is starting to potty train. Generally, I put her on the potty first thing in the morning. In our past attempts, the body fluid in question very easily makes it way into the toilet. Yesterday, for some reason, it began going in directions other than the toilet. I certainly have had plenty of practice helping Jacob "direct" his potty action, but I was at a lost here. First, It surprised me and along with having a book in my hand (Ava always asks me to read to her on the potty; like father, like daughter) I was slow to react. But more challenging, I did not know how to make it "change direction." I tried to push down, but there is really nothing to push. Ava just looked at me with this bizarre look on her face; probably the same look I had on my face. Then she started crying because I had to put the book down and perform clean-up. More troubling from my side is that I am not sure what to do differently if it happens again. Girls are just different.

I know this is borderline of "too much information", but I wanted to share. Have a good weekend.

Paradox About Hearing God: Hearing God by Dallas Willard (Recap)

My favorite author is Dallas Willard, and his books on the spiritual life and God's Kingdom have made a tremendous impact on my life. His first work in this theme is "Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God". Knowing "God's will" is a huge desire in Christian circles but one that is confusing to most believers. While it is not the same as prayer, seeking a deeper relationship with God is of the same vein, and why I am interested in writing about it.

I definitely recommend anyone to read it. Like all of Dr. Willard's books, it has a bit of a scholarly tone, but that does not mean a difficult read. Willard often sets the table so to speak in lining up points to prove or disprove a point. Thus, it requires a bit of concentration, but I find that far better than just tossing a glib (even if it is true) spiritual statement without the background to understand and apply it fully.

This is not so much a review but a recap. I will go through each chapter and discuss some key points from those sections, hopefully to encourage you to read it and assist in understanding it. Any page references are off of the paperback book I currently have checked out from my church's library. My personal hardback copy is backed away in some boxes awaiting the move to our home.

The preface is just a few pages long and gives a basic introduction into the book. The key point made here is Willard's emphasis that "hearing God is but one dimension of a richly interactive relationship, and obtaining guidance is but one facet of hearing God" (pg. 10). This is important to remember that even if you perfectly understood God's direct guidance to your life that it would not perfectly equate faithfulness to Christ's call or the highest calling of your spiritual life. People may often state that just want to know "God's will for their life" but even knowing that does not fully get you where you need to be.

Chapter 1 is "A Paradox About Hearing God", and the paradox is this: we have widespread testimony and belief within the Christian church that God does "speak" and "lead" us but the Christian church is filled, probably mostly filled, with committed believers who have pervasive and painful uncertainty as to exactly how to hear and recognize God's voice.

It is this paradox which Willard is focused on unpacking. Before leaving this chapter and starting the process of understanding and deciphering this paradox, he does give 3 general problem areas people encountering in trying to hear from God. They are summarized below but he of course goes into greater detail for each in the book, starting on pg. 26.

1.Wrong priority on the forms of God's communication and ignoring the variety of means God can communicate with us.
2.Wrong motives for wanting to hear from God (e.g. seeking God's voice solely for securing their own safety and comfort).
3.Misconceptions about God's nature and intent, especially with respect to expecting hyper-level of detail and control in the "guidance".

Flood of 2010

The flood of 2010 that ravaged Nashville affected our new home build. The home, in the community of Riverwall on the Harpeth, was a riverside lot on the aforementioned Harpeth River. It was nearly complete, and we were hoping to close by end of May. According to our neighbors, we got about 4 ft of water in the home. Here is a link to pictures of the day after with the builders going through and gutting the bottom floor. You can look at them individually or choose the slideshow option on the left. We meet with the builders on Monday to talk about next steps.

Mother's Date and Lucy Kate

Among my busy life and natural disasters, another excuse for not updating my blog is I have been having problems getting my picture album software to work. It is working now, and I hope it will stay that way.

My first niece, Lucy Kate Hagerman, came into the world last week on my birthday, May 6. Here are pictures of her and rest of extended Meadors' family on Mother's day.

[zenphotopress album=117 sort=latest number=17]

Just a few things going on...

I really do like the idea of writing in my blog, but this season of life is busy, busy busy. How about a quick round up in case I don't write again for another 6 weeks.

Jacob had a wellness check up this week. Measures 3'11" and 50 lbs. Very healthy and "normal" for his age. Playing soccer which he enjoys. He shows good instincts out there. He is in 4-6 age group with most kids on his team 5 and 6. Makes a HUGE difference from the last 2 seasons with 3s and 4s. It actually resembles soccer.

A funny, maybe not ha-ha, laugh out-loud funny but amusing, cute funny, is that Jacob's has discovered the old He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoons I use to watch as kid through Hulu. So he will ask me, "Daddy, can we watch He-man" and I am happy to oblige. I do have to admit that looking back at these cartoons 25 years later puts them in a different light. They are really not that good. The super-hero cartoons of today are just better in terms of plot and dialogue, but I will always have a soft spot in my heart for He-Man.

Ava is now on allergry medicine after her 2nd ear infection. It was due to having so much mucus drainage that we thought allergy medicine would help, especially since Jacob and I take it regularly. She has been on it for 1/2 week. Hope it helps.

Good news on the potty front. Ava has peed in the potty 3 days this past week. Either after her nap or after waking up from the night, she was dry, and I then put her on the toilet and she did the rest. Definitely not ready for underwear, but good steps.

This week we are heading to Panama City for a vacation. Our family loves the beach, and I looking forward to getting away.

Both my work and Shannon's at the church is very busy. Busy is good, but busy is busy. Thus, limited time and energy to write on the blog. Maybe the vacation will help give me a boost.

Ava's Happy Birthday Song

Sweet little Ava Lauren turned 2 this Saturday. She is my little princess. I get so much joy just looking at her. She is so fun too. She loves to sing songs and is quite advanced in verbal skills for a 2 year old. Here she is singing happy birthday while eating her chocolate birthday cake.

Prayer of Jesus: "Dad"

We are nearly half way through with the Prayer of Jesus study. Dr. Hemphill outlines the Model Prayer into 4 parts: The Address, The Committment, The Petition, The Benediction. Last week we focused on the Address. He emphasized that the "Father" part of the prayer and made the statement it is similar to our modern expression of  "Dad" to our earthly father. In fact, Hemphill often referred to God as "Dad" through out the video.

Needless to say, a majority of the group participants struggled with this phrasing. For most in the group, I would categorize it as at best uncomfortable and at worst disrespectful and wrong. I definitely understood their point, and I don't think I would be comfortable using that term in prayer. "Father" is much more natural for me. Once a word or phrase establishes a contextual meaning in our minds, it is hard to change that meaning. In this sense, tradition matters.

I definitely don't think Dr. Hemphill was trying to be disrespectful or "cute" in using this term. He was just trying to convey the intimacy we are to have in our prayer life. The fact is that Jesus use of "Father" was a radical concept in His day. The Jews considered this phase disrespectful as well. We certainly must not be caught throwing stones here.

But as I said, I do understood the concern. The best advice here it to follow Jesus' response to John who questioned what they should do about the man who was driving out demons in the name of Jesus but was not part of Jesus' disciples. "Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you."

Enjoying It While It Lasts

Today, two great reminders of this special season of life. First, Ava, who has recently developed into an excellent kisser, wanted to kiss all of the parts of my head. My eyes, my ears, my nose, my chin. I gladly let her. Her wet lips on my cheek and the pop of her smooch are still fresh in my mind.

I then drop Jacob off at preschool. I stand by the window watching him put up his lunch box and jacket. He turns and looks at me. Gives me a big thumbs up and blows me a kiss.

It won't last. The days will change and so will my children. Those new days will be special in their own right. But this morning will be tough to beat.

Feels like Spring

This afternoon has been sunny with temperatures in the low 50s. It feels like Spring. Heck, after these snowy days, it feels like Summer.

Prayer of Jesus Study: Pt.1

We had our first small group session on Dr. Hemphill Prayer of Jesus study. I enjoyed the video and the discussion. We had 10 in attendance (4 others could not make it), and they were quick to share their thoughts.

The key point that Dr. Hemphill made, and probably the key point of the entire study, is that prayer with our Father is in itself our reward and motivation for prayer rather than "getting" thinks through prayer.

His other key point is that the Model Prayer is not just a prayer to say but a model or framework for our prayer life and relationship with God. We can pray without ceasing if have the mindset of an unceasing relationship with God through out the day.

He made an interesting observation that after Jesus gives the Model Prayer in the Sermon on the Mount, He gives 6 "Do Not Worry" commands. Dr. Hemphill concludes that this worry free life is only possible or even partially attained  once we implement the prayer lifestyle. Thus, we will likely worry about the very things Jesus told us not to if we don't first establish the relationship with God through prayer.

I am working through the workbook which I have surprisingly enjoyed. I typically don't like workbooks like this, but so far it has been a blessing.

Where Have I Been

This is the first thing I have written on my blog in 2010. The reasons for this absence are 1.) my work at DGI has been extremely busy. It is our great fortune to be part of not 1 but 2 government contracts for enhancing our nation's electric grid. Being government projects, they require hourly accounting for billing. Thus, I am trying to put as many hours as possible toward these projects.

2.) my family/home life has stepped up. With Shannon working and the kids at daycare/preschool, my mornings are busy getting kids dressed and ready and sometimes driving them to school. Once Shannon and the kids get home, we do dinner, baths and bed and then our my bedtime. Free time gets gobbled up quickly. This has been especially true in our first few months of this new lifestyle.

But probably the biggest reason I have not written is 3.) I have not had much I wanted to write about. Lots of cool things have happened, and I am loving our new life in Nashville. But I did not feel like writing about the "ordinary" aspects of life. Nothing wrong with ordinary, but it felt a bit trite and commonplace describing the inns and outs of my life. I needed something else to motivate me.

I think I have found my tonic for post-lessness. On Sunday nights at our church, I am facilitating a small group study on the prayer of Jesus. It is based on the book The Prayer of Jesus by Dr. Ken Hemphill. Prayer has been a major driver of my spiritual growth these last 12 years or so since my rededication so I am excited to be in this study. We have 14 of us in the class. We met last Sunday and will meet another 5 Sunday nights.

I will be writing some about prayer, the book and the group study here on my blog. Maybe be short posts or long, but thoughts on prayer. I expect it will help me in the discussion aspect of the study to think through some thoughts here. I am sure I will then mix in more the ordinary topics of life which I have eschewed, but now that I have something else to motivate me. Not that I can post every day, but more often than every 6 weeks which is the current pace.

Now I have said. Now I have to do it. Pray for me.