Imitation

I'm not quite sure where she comes up with these crazy ideas. I'm referring to my daughter, Jessica. Does anyone really know what goes on in the mind of a 12 year old girl? I'm sure I don't. Her latest stunt took place last night at the fall party for the church. I had asked Jessica a couple of days ago what she planned for her costume. She wouldn't tell me. So last night she shows up at the party dressed as … me! She had on an old pair of my tennis shoes, a pair of jeans, and one of my Harley Davidson t-shirts. She painted a goatee on her face and was wearing a motorcycle helmet because the bald wig she bought didn't quite work. Her friend Kate, came dressed as Robbie (our Youth Minister). She had a painted beard and wore a Chicago Cubs jersey.

Now I know what they say. "Imitation is the highest form of flattery." I suppose on some level I am flattered. But for the most part I just think my daughter's strange! (love ya Jess).

I guess I should be relieved because really she had to explain her costume to most people. I guess there aren't very many similarities between me and a 12 year old girl (even if she has painted a goatee on her face). That's a good thing.

None the less it got me thinking. We are called to imitate Christ.

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

- Ephesians 5:1-2

Unfortunately, just like Jessica, I think our imitation falls way short. People look at us and go, "Huh, I don't get it." Then we feebly try to explain, "I'm supposed to be like Jesus." They smirk and say, "Oh, now I see."

Maybe we need to remember that looking like Jesus isn't about going through the motions and doing the right things. Looking like Jesus is more about letting his influence flow through our lives to the point that we are transformed into his likeness (2 Cor 3:18).

Could it be that as we spend an increasing amount of time with Jesus and as we continue to submit more and more to his lordship … that then, and only then, will we be such a reflection of Jesus that when people see us they recognize Christ?

That's a little bit more than face paint and creativity.

Superbowl Champions

The North Vermillion 3rd & 4th Grade Falcons took the Superbowl title for the second year in a row! Congratulations Kyle, #29!

Sarah Palin

So yesterday was something new for us. We loaded up the minivan and headed to Noblesville, Indiana for a Republican rally that VP candidate Sarah Palin was speaking at. The kids weren't to excited initially but when we explained that if McCain and Palin are elected she will be the first woman Vice President ever they were a little bit more impressed.

Leave it to Jessica to paint her nails red, white, and blue. Then spell out the letters for Sarah on one hand and Palin on the other.

Standing in line for almost 2 hours. 25,000 tickets were given away for the event. I think we were numbers 11,023, 11,024, 11,025, and 11026 (just kidding ... who knows! But there were a bunch of people in front of us and a bunch behind us)

We weren't super-close but close enough to see. This is zoomed at one-click.

Afterwards we tried to sneak our way a little closer to maybe get a handshake. Umm ... yes we did jump a railing and step over a couple of chairs (the Secret Service can't stop the Purdy family) ... but this was the closest we could get. Actually this is as close as Jessica and Kyle could get (they took the camera and got farther than Leanne and I ... I guess their is an advantage to being smaller).

Waiting in line.

When they announced Palin.

Playoffs then Superbowl

Kyle's football team has gone undefeated in the regular season (one tied game). They won the regular season and will play a playoff game on Saturday the 25th (I'll have to miss it. I'll be in Cincinnati ... uugh). If they win that it'll be the second year to the Superbowl! They play it on Sunday the 26th. If they win it will be a second consecutive Superbowl win! Kyle saw most of his action in the regular season as offensive guard and defensive tackle. He practiced a lot as secondary Quarterback but only saw game action as QB for the first and last games of the season. He has had a complete blast!

Apparently I'm an Idiot

In a 60 minutes interview yesterday Lesley Stahl interviewed Bob Lutz, the vice-chairman of General Motors. The topic was electric cars and during the interview she mentioned that Lutz has a “terrible reputation” with environmentalists. Looking down her nose completely aghast she referred to a comment he made concerning Global Warming.

“You don’t think there’s global warming? Is that really true?” Stahl asked.

Shocking isn’t it? How can someone deny the evils of man? I must be an idiot?

Listening to a radio talk show recently I also heard the host refer to those who deny evolution as “severely limited in intelligence.” Therefore I must be an idiot.

Several weeks back I heard a character in a television show refer to someone who had stated their disagreement with homosexuality. In a condescending tone He said something to the effect of ….

“He believes homosexuals aren’t born that way. But he also believes God created the world in 7 days and Noah filled the ark with animals.”

Wow! Tripple whammy! Believing homosexuality is a choice, believing God created the world in 7 days, and believing a man named Noah built an ark are all signs of a weak mind.

Perhaps I’m clinging to my religion. I must be an idiot.

Braces

Jessica is experiencing something new. She's now wearing braces. In addition she has a thing that settles into the roof of her mouth called a fan. She has to crank it wider twice a week. So far she has done really well with the new additions to her mouth.

Thought I'd just throw this one in for fun.
Jessica is wearing her brother's football pads.