Hair

For several months now Amy and I have been having a discussion about my hair. I have very thick coarse curly hair. When I have gone to soemone to get it cut they often refer to just how thick it is. If I were to let my hair grow it would turn nice tight curly locks. However, I hate my curly hair (I know everyone hates their hair and wishes for soemthing different). For that reason, I have always kept my hair very short--often no longer on top than the thinkness of a persons finger. Amy on the other hand likes my long curly hair.

For a long time I had a hair cut similar to Russell Crowe in the movie Gladiator. In fact, one person even gave me a nickname of "Spaniard" because my hair cut resembled that one so closely. For several years now Amy has been the person to cut my hair. Which is nice for a couple of reasons--its free and no appointment is needed. But on the other hand we are very busy and sometimes my hair will go 3-4 weeks from the point it needs cut until it gets cut.

I have been in the mood for something different and something I can do myself. Understand I wouldn't mind going completely bald. But Amy says, "bald ain't beautiful" unless it is natural. When I mean bald, I mean I would go cream and ravor all the way down to nothing.

So about five to six weeks ago I took out the clippers, put on the #2 guard, and shaved my head down. Amy was furious. She did not like it at all. It was too short. She could see my scalp through my head. It is not attractive to her. I let it grow for a couple of weeks then did it again. This time she didn't say anything. Not much came off so she might not have noticed. Then about a week-and-a-half ago I put the #1 guard on the clippers and went over it. Again she was furious. The same comments as before. To me, it is my hair; I'm the one that has to fix it and wear it. But to Amy she is the one that has to look at it and she would like my hair to be soemthing that is attractive to her.

I love my hair. It is short and cool in the southern summer heat (99 today and 100 tomorrow in the Memphis area). I have received comments from both sides--some like it and others don't. Here are some pictures of me and my hair as it looks today (I took these on my cell phone camera so they are not the best pictures). I would love to hear what you think. And I promise not to mention what you say when Amy and I next continue our conversation about my hair.

New Job & Vision Dinner

I haven't talked a lot on my blog about my (relatively) new job. I am now the Development Director for Memphis Urban Ministry (MUM). This is the same organization that I was very closely connected to for my seven years at Wonder City. MUM is one of the groups that helped start Wonder City and that still blesses the ministry at Wonder City. My role in Development here involves two primary tasks--fundraising and public relations. Of course, Amy and I are still involved in ministry. We have started attending worship at Raleigh Community CoC--another of the urban churches here in the Memphis area. We are both still adjusting and getting to know the people at Raleigh.

One of the Development pieces that was already being planned when I started this job was our annual (although we have missed a couple years recently) Vision Dinner. This year marks a big step in process for our Vision Dinner. For the first time all the planning is being done by a volunteer planning committee. I am the liason between them and the rest of the MUM staff. This year the MUM staff will not have to be the volunteer setup and clean up staff. Also this year the dinner is being moved out of one of our sponsoring church's gym/family life center. This year's dinner will be at Opera Memphis. I would love for as many of my blog readers as possible to come join us on Saturday, September 6th from 6-8 pm.

Worship

I love worship. In fact, if there is any part of ministry that is my favorite it is worship. If you really want to hear me go on and on about a subject, just start talking about worship. I love planning worship. I love a well exicuted worship service that is tight and truly God-focused. I love worshipping. I love worship so much that this past Tuesday night I attended a worship service via live feed online.

I have come to really enjoy worship music. All I listen to now is Christian radio. If I am in my car, I am listening to K-Love (the national network of Christian radio stations that plays "top-40" in the lite rock/pop style of Christian music). If I am in my office or at home I am probably listening to Air1 online (the sister station to K-Love but plays more of the alternative style of Christian music) since we don't have a local station.

One of the songs that was sung this past Tuesday night was Hillsong United's "Mighty to Save." I have heard the song before this week, but it has really connected with me this week. Since Tuesday I have not been able to get enough of this song or get it out of my head. In fact, as I have typed this post I am now listening to this song for the third time!

Here is a video of the band leading the song in worship.


BTW--now listening for the 4th time!