A New Earth

On my recent trip to LA, I decided to join millions of Oprahites and read A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. The buzz around this book has been pretty intense. I know ever since Oprah recommended it that its been a mainstay on the New York Times best sellers list, and spawned a whole New Earth online community. And a friend at church, who has excellent taste in literature, kept hounding me to read it. So I did.

And it's not bad. Actually, it's really, really good. It's the kind of book that you can dog ear, underline passages and come back to, time and time again. I guess my only hesitation is that there has been SO much hype about this book that I think I expected to be instantly transformed into a fully enlightened, serene, spiritual guru. In hindsight, I guess that's too much to ask of any author.

There are plenty of paragraphs and chapters that were hard for me to understand. Not because they were poorly written. Quite the opposite. It's just that Eckhart writes about some concepts that are so far past what I'm able to process at this point in my life. Part of it is because he's this Ivy-League genius and, um, I'm not.

But there's plenty that really hit home. For example, here's a passage that was especially timely. I read this on the flight home, after being "wowed" by all the lights, glamor and "beautiful people" of LA:

The Joy of Being
Unhappiness or negativity is a disease on our planet...It is everywhere, not just in places where people don't have enough, but even more so where they have more than enough. Is that surprising? No. The affluent world is even more deeply identified with form, more lost in content, more trapped in ego. People believe themselves to be dependent on what happens for their happiness, that is to say, dependent on form. They don't realize that what happens is the most unstable thing in the universe. It changes constantly. They look upon the present moment as either marred by something that has happened and shouldn't have or as deficient because of something that has not happened but should have. And so they miss the deeper perfection that is inherent in life itself, a perfection that is always already here, that lies beyond what is happening or not happening, beyond form. Accept the present moment and find the perfection that is deeper than any form and untouched by time. The joy of Being, which is the only true happiness, cannot come to you through any form, possession, achievement, person, or event—through anything that happens. The joy cannot come to you—ever. It emanates from within you."

So well put. Now I know what all the hype was about.

Thoughts + Prayers

A blog collecting messages of support for the Knoxville Unitarian community can be found here.

Numerous sources have reported that the shooter attacked because he hated liberals, the liberal movement and gays, and knew TVUC to be a welcoming environment for all three. During this time of unbelievable sorrow and tragedy for those directly affected, may we respond with thoughts, prayers, support and belief in Jesus' assurance that the dark can never overcome the light.

"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light."

Luke 8:16

The light will win. Even in times of deepest darkness.

Prayer at the Pump?

One benefit of higher gas prices? More prayers evidently. Hmmm....

Thank You Randy Pausch

"We can't change the cards we're dealt, just how to play the hand."
- Randy Pausch



In his final months, while millions of people world-wide were watching his inspirational last lecture, Randy Pausch was cocooned at home in Virginia with his wife and three young children. "Every time I'm with the kids now, there's this total sense of urgency that I try not to let them pick up on," he said. "I can't say things and reinforce them in four years. My time is now." The computer-science professor from Carnegie Mellon University, honored as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world, died at home Friday morning at age 47 of pancreatic cancer.

Thank you Randy for your strength, conviction and example. It is a lesson that has inspired millions and one I hope I never forget.

California Dreamin'!

Back from an amazing trip to the West Coast. It was truly inspiring on a number of levels. I'll share some bloughts on it in some future posts, but first things first. I got several friends questioning my theory that LL Cool J's Going Back to Cali is the greatest song about California ever written.

On my trip I was given several suggestions, and thought of some other awesome California songs such as:

• California Dreamin' - Mamas & Papas
• California Girls - Beach Boys (or was that David Lee Roth?)
• Dani California - Red Hot Chilli Peppers
• L.A. Woman - The Doors
• Los Angeles - Frank Black
• California UberAlles - Dead Kennedys
• Hotel California - The Eagles

All good suggestions and songs, but I stand by my original statement: none of these style of profile as much as Ladies Love Cool James! Here's a list of some others if you'd like to cast your vote.

I'm Going Back To Cali!

Er, actually I've never been...but in honor of my first trip to California (and mad love for retro rap) I had to incoroprate a nod to LL in this post. Going Back to Cali is EASILY the greatest song ever written about California. (2Pac and Dr. Dre's "California Love" a close second...Randy Newman's "I Love L.A." in dead last). Anyways, I'm taking off to the West Coast to hang with my best friend for a few days. We're going to celebrate his upcoming wedding, see the sights and blow it out California style. Whatever that means. I'm traveling light, so I won't be posting much...unless I bump into Perez Hilton in his coffee shop and he lets me borrow his laptop.

Stay awesome,
Lance

It's Not Who You Are But Whose You Are

"So now you are not a slave; you are God's child, and God will give you the blessing he promised, because you are his child."
- Galatians 4:7

When you're little, everyone asks you "What are you going to be when you grow up?"

When you're in college, everyone asks "What's your major?"

When you're a grown up, everyone says "What do you do?"

We love labels. They help us make sense of things. They make things nice and neat. There's only one problem: most labels don't last.

In fact, there's really only one label that does. The fact that we are a child of God's. Really think about that. First and foremost, you and I are children of God. For those of you who are parents, you can easily understand how awesome this concept is. No matter how much your kids whine, or complain, or draw on your kitchen countertops with markers, you love them. You provide for them. You would literally die for them. Sure, you get mad at them, too. But stop loving them? It ain't happening.

So God tells us that our first label is that we are his kids and the rest is just details. Unfortunately, we focus and fret on the details.

There are many labels that I love: I'm a husband. A father. A writer. A basketball fanatic.

There are many labels I wish I didn't have: I look funny. I don't have much hair. I can't dunk.

In short, I'm a picker. A grinner. A lover. And a sinner.

But all those lablels, even the best of those, will never truly satisfy. In some way they all fall short. But despite this fact, we put so much energy into getting our labels just right. But God tells us we're just fine as we are...because we're His.

This came up recently when a couple of good friends of mine were discussing Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz (pg. 231, to be exact, if you're interested). In it, Miller makes a profound comment on Jesus' core message to "Love Thy Neighbor As Yourself." So many of us are kind, compassionate and giving to our neighbors (as we should be) but when it comes to ourselves, much less so. One of my friends, who is about as warm and giving and awesome a person as I know, was telling us that this concept floored her. It was because it was so true.

She gives so much to others that she often has nothing left for herself. She's compassionate and forgiving to others, but can't forgive herself if her cupcakes don't end up "perfect." This is a true example. And it seemed funny to me at first...c'mon it's just cupcakes.

Only it's not just cupcakes, to her in that moment. It's a label. It's a reminder that she has fallen short. That she's not good enough.

But as God reminds us, that label just simply is not true. We ALL are good enough, because we are his chosen ones. He made us. He loves us. And no other label can change that or replace that one.

My Birthday Girl

Six years ago today, one of my biggest blessings came into the world. Amelia Grace McCluskey was born as the sun rose at 5:03 am, and she has continued to bring sunshine into my life ever since. I know I'm biased, but she really is just too awesome for words. Unfortunately for her, I'm afraid she has taught me much more than I have taught her, including:

• Despite a dad's best efforts, little girls will become "boy crazy" at whatever point they feel like it.

• It is possible for a child to ask "Are We There Yet?" on a long car ride over 12,365 times with no recollection of the previous 12,364 queries.

• There is no end to the imagination and creativity of young children.

• You never realize how dangerous your home is until your child begins walking.

• A parent is capable of driving like Bo and or Luke Duke escaping from Roscoe P. Coletrane (git git) through crowded traffic to get their child to the emergency room as their child projectile vomits in the backseat.

• Sleep is overrated.

• OK, I take that one back...

• An awesome Friday night can consist of nothing more than giving your child a bath and reading "Good Night Moon."

• Somehow, little girls get more beautiful everyday.

• Having kids makes for long days but short years.


And most importantly....

• Once you become a parent, your heart now walks around and exists outside your body.

Happy Birthday, Gracie-Girl!!! Daddy loves you always!!

The Land of Milk and Honey?

A church in North Carolina was recently perplexed when they noticed honey running down the walls of their sanctuary. Was this some sort of modern plague? (It beats having everything covered in locusts or frogs, in my opinion.) Turns out a massive beehive nestled in the church's 75-foot steeple. Talk about the BEEattiudes. (Har Har)

Free Coldplay!

Coldplay just kicked off their world tour, and to say thanks to their fans, they're giving away a free download of a song that didn't appear on their brilliant new album, Viva la Viva. Download it here. It reminds me of an old-tyme Gospel hymn. Sweet.

Will!

Happy Monday! We had a tremendous weekend trip to NashWill, where we got to meet my new nephew, Will Thurber. As you can tell from the pic, his awesomeness is off the charts.

I'm An Uncle, Y'all!

I've been called many things. A "terrific breakdancer", a "believer in unicorns" and "a lame blogger" being among the most common. But one title I've never had was "World's Greatest Uncle." Until this past weekend.

William Kent Thurber was born wicked early in the morning this past Sunday in NashVegas. Coming into the world at 6lbs 10 oz. and 19 inches long, he was descibed as "perfect" by friends, family and medical professionals alike. He was born at the same hospital that Nicole Kidman was having her baby, but I assure you all the papparazzi were there for pictures of Will, not her baby.

Speaking of pictures, it sure would have been nice to post a picture of Will here wouldn't it? Somehow my lame sister has been "too busy" doing stuff like "feeding round the clock" and "not sleeping" to send me one. Whatever. I'll be going to Nashville this weekend to meet Will, get pictures and, of course, establish myself as "The World's Greatest Uncle."

Sure, I've got two awesome kids of my own. But being an Uncle opens a whole new world of possibilites that aren't available to them. That's because I won't be shackled by the concepts of "discipline" or "responsibility" or "raising kids that turn into law-abiding citizens." Oh no. With Will, I will get to be the cool Uncle that exposes him to all the fun, dangerous, and highly-flammable stuff, then leave it to my sister to clean up the mess.

Bring him illegal fireworks every time I visit? Check. Give him his own drum kit for his 2 year old birthday present? Definitely. Encourage him to re-enact Eval Kneivel's disastorous attempt to jump the Snake River? It's a done deal.

But how do I know that I'll be "The World's Greatest Uncle?" Please. Who's going to top me? Uncle Craker? Uncle Buck? The Man from U.N.C.L.E.? Those guys are good, but they don't stand a chance.

Welcome Will! Congrats Kayro + Tim!!!

Be All You Can Be?

An atheist soldier is suing the Army for discriminating against his lack of faith. Huh? I guess the old adage about there not being any atheists in foxholes doesn't hold true for this guy.

Who to Follow?

"As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Matthew 9: 9-13

A guilty pleasure of mine is to read the annual "What People Earn" issue of Parade Magazine. It's a listing of the yearly income of average joes and Hollywood A-listers alike.

This year's listing uncovered such gems as Glen Heroy, a hospital clown in New York, makes $28,000 per year, while Jeff Foxworthy (aka: Redneck Clown) made $10 Million last year. Is there really that much of a difference in what these two guys do? Even a 5th grader knows, probably not.

"Trouble" whis was Leona Helmsley's 8 year old dog somehow got by on $12 MILLION last year. (that was not a typo)

And Elieen Welsh, a preschool teacher in Pennsylvania made $15,000 last year while Tiger Woods got by on $115 Million.

This list is just more proof in the collective pudding of how our culture is obsessed by economic value. And the same was true back in Jesus' day. Before Matthew became the author of one of the four gospels and one of Jesus' 12 hand picked disciples, he was a tax collector. A very profitable position in first-Century Rome. It needed to pay well because you certainly wouldn't win any popularity contests doing this job. Tax Collectors weren't government employees to Rome, but rather kinda like someone who had bought into a franchise, like a modern day McDonalds or Holiday Inn. As long as Rome got its cut, it didn't care what extra taxes got issued. So the tax collectors got plenty. My friend Phil made an awesome analogy that the tax collectors were like the "Sopranos" of their day - middle men that were going to collect for "The Godfather" (Rome) and weren't afraid to get their hands dirty in the process.

In modern terms, Matthew has a solid, secure job with great benefits. His portfolio is diversified and he's fully vested. He has absolutely no reason to take another job. Until he meets Jesus.

There's no more explanation from Matthew about what Jesus did to convince him to leave his life of comfort other than the two words "Follow Me." I've gotta think that Matthew was well aware of the work that Jesus had been doing, and something clicked inside of him that said "there's got to be more."

Sure he had money, but he wasn't content. Sure he had comfort, but he didn't have true friendships or a sense of purpose. And while his pockets were full, his life was empty. Something in the clairity of Jesus' words and mission told Matthew to give up what he knew and follow this poor, homeless Jewish rabbi. And thanks to that decision, Matthew's world, or ours, was never the same.

It was a tremendous decision. While the Bible doesn't have details on Matthew's death, other sources say that Matthew most likely died a phsically brutal death because of his decision to follow Jesus. But despite that grim ending, Matthew's decision to follow Jesus filled his life with a sense of meaning. Jesus reached out and said that despite Matthew's sins and failures in the past, he forgave him and wanted him to be a part of his inner circle. Jesus said that he wasn't impressed by Matthew's economic worth, but would die to prove his eternal worth.

And praise be that still holds true today. Becuase I have a feeling that you or I aren't in danger of cracking the Forbes Wealthiest People in the World list anytime soon. But part of the good news is that because Jesus asks us to follow him, we don't have to be on that list. Jesus could care less about our earthly bank account. Only our Heavenly one.

Declarations

There has been plenty of media coverage and commentary about the passing of broadcasting legend Tim Russert. Rightfully so. By all accounts he was a professional on top of his game, while remaining a man with a strong sense of faith and family. But of all the profiles and articles I've read, this one from an obituary column posted on Robin Sharma's latest blog really resonated the most. Please read this:

DECLARATIONS
By PEGGY NOONAN

A Life's Lesson
June 20, 2008; Page A9
When somebody dies, we tell his story and try to define and isolate what was special about it—what it was he brought to the party, how he enhanced life by showing up. In this way we educate ourselves about what really matters. Or, often, re-educate ourselves, for "man needs more to be reminded than instructed."

I understand why some think that the media coverage surrounding Tim Russert's death was excessive—truly, it was unprecedented—but it doesn't seem to me a persuasive indictment, if only because what was said was so valuable.

The beautiful thing about the coverage was that it offered extremely important information to those age 15 or 25 or 30 who may not have been told how to operate in the world beyond "Go succeed." I'm not sure we tell the young as much as we ought, as clearly as we ought, what it is the world admires, and what it is they want to emulate.

In a way, the world is a great liar. It shows you it worships and admires money, but at the end of the day it doesn't. It says it adores fame and celebrity, but it doesn't, not really. The world admires, and wants to hold on to, and not lose, goodness. It admires virtue. At the end it gives its greatest tributes to generosity, honesty, courage, mercy, talents well used, talents that, brought into the world, make it better. That's what it really admires. That's what we talk about in eulogies, because that's what's important. We don't say, "The thing about Joe was he was rich." We say, if we can, "The thing about Joe was he took care of people."

The young are told, "Be true to yourself." But so many of them have no idea, really, what that means. If they don't know who they are, what are they being true to? They're told, "The key is to hold firm to your ideals." But what if no one bothered, really, to teach them ideals?

After Tim's death, the entire television media for four days told you the keys to a life well lived, the things you actually need to live life well, and without which it won't be good. Among them: taking care of those you love and letting them know they're loved, which involves self-sacrifice; holding firm to God, to your religious faith, no matter how high you rise or low you fall. This involves guts, and self-discipline, and active attention to developing and refining a conscience to whose promptings you can respond. Honoring your calling or profession by trying to do within it honorable work, which takes hard effort, and a willingness to master the ethics of your field. And enjoying life. This can be hard in America, where sometimes people are rather grim in their determination to get and to have. "Enjoy life, it's ungrateful not to," said Ronald Reagan.

Tim had these virtues. They were great to see. By defining them and celebrating them the past few days, the media encouraged them. This was a public service, and also what you might call Tim's parting gift.

I'd add it's not only the young, but the older and the old, who were given a few things to think about. When Tim's friends started to come forward last Friday to speak on the air of his excellence, they were honestly grieving. They felt loss. So did people who'd never met him. Question: When you die, are people in your profession going to feel like this? Why not? What can you do better? When you leave, are your customers—in Tim's case it was five million every Sunday morning, in your case it may be the people who come into the shop, or into your office—going to react like this? Why not?

Presidential Hopefuls...and Presidents from Hope, Arkansas

My new Rolling Stone arrived yesterday and I was thrilled to to see Barack Obama on the cover. (It sure beat the time that whats-his-face from High School Musical was on there.) No matter what side of the political fence you're sitting on its a first-class interview that you should check out. It covers everything from what Obama is rocking on his ipod, to his favorite Dylan song, to his three top priorities in his first term should he be elected.

And while we're talking about Presidents, I am just finishing up Bill Clinton's Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World. If you're like me and sometimes feel a sense of hopelessness by all the negative news that gets reported, this is a refreshing book to read. Clinton profiles many extraordinary and innnovative acts of giving that are going on around the world. Many are associated with Clinton's own foundation, but many are simple but profound ideas and iniatives taken up by everyday folks. You're sure to find a story or two that will resonate with the issues that are nearest and dearest to your heart.