Surprise

What a surprise I had a few minutes ago. I received a phone call from Ryan S.--an old college friend and best man at my wedding. Ryan and I have had minimal correspondence since we both graduated with our bachelor's degrees in 1999. We spent about 10 minutes on the phone catching up and hearing about others we both have kept in communication with from our days at Harding University. We exchanged phone numbers and emails. Hopefully it won't be another 9 years before we talk again!

Christian?

I have been reading a book recently titled The Big Idea by Dave Ferguson. The first chapter of his book is titled "No More Christians." He believes that true Jesus followers should no longer call themselves "Christian" and should stop encouraging others to become a Christian. Don't misunderstand--he is all for evangelism. He states that some 85% of Americans (or 247 million people) call themselves Christian. Dave then points to research that shows there is no differnece in the attitudes or actions of Christians and non-Christians. He asks, "If the contemporary concept of a Christian is of someone who is no differnt than the rest of the world, is Christian really the word you want to use to describe your willingness to sacrifice everything you have to see God's dream fulfilled?" He answers, "No way." He concludes the chapter by saying that Christianity "has been reduced to the expectation of niceness." He no longer calls himself a Christian, but a Christ follower--a disciple. One last quote, "I am a Christ follower. I follow Jesus step by step as his Spirit moves me in his community called the church."

I did a little research. The term "Christian" only appears in the NT three times. Compare that to "disciple" that appears close to three hundred times. I grew up in a Christian hertitage that prided itself on "calling Bible things by Bible names." Although I don't get into that, I do want people to understand that I am serious in my faith walk. In our society where it is acceptable to call oneself a Christian and not go to church but a couple times of year or even every Sunday but not be involved with the life of the church or growing more into the image of Christ--do I want to call myself by the term that is synomous with that lifestyle? So I have been going back and forth in my mind about no longer calling myself a Christian. I thought about adopting the either the term "Christ follower" (as Dave Ferguson uses) or "Disciple" to describe my relationship to Jesus. To be honest, I haven't made up my mind yet.

These are the questions I have been pondering--Should Christians who are serious about their faith walk with Jesus adopt another label such as "Disciple" or "Christ follower?" Should we continue to use the label of "Christian" but work to redefine what it means it our society? Is that even possible? Has the term "Christian" been so hi-jacked that the church is past the point of being able to redefine it back to what it originally meant in the NT? Are there/What are the advantages and disadvantages to using a new term or continuing to use the term Christian?

Ten

Ten years today! Today my wife and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary. As I have looked back over the past ten years today we have been through a lot--some stressful and tough but most of it good. We have lived five different places in our marriage. However, for the past seven plus years we have been in the Memphis metro area. Life right now is good. We both have good jobs. We love being in our house. We love our dog. We love our friends.

Although we could not afford to go somewhere special this weekend later this fall we will return to the site of our honeymoon for a marriage retreat. So, we both took the day off from work and have enjoyed the day together.

This morning we went to the Memphis Zoo. Amy loves the zoo. The Memphis Zoo is working on improving the quality of the living spaces for the animals. Over the past several years the zoo has added a China exhibit including pandas and the Northwest Passage for bears, bald eagles, seals, etc. Over the next two years two more new major exhibit areas will be opened. We enjoyed looking at the animals, but the temperature quickly rose to almost 100 degrees. So we stayed for a few hours and left around 1:30. We have been lazy around the house this afternoon recouping the energy the sun took from us at the zoo. We are now getting ready to go to dinner at Texas de Brazil.

All in all I am very thankful for my life and my wife. I don't know that there is another woman out there who would love me like she does. Ten years ago at our wedding I played Billy Dean's "If There Hadn't Been You" to her. Those words are even more true now. There is so much that I have done and I am where I am today because of her. I pray that God will give us many more years together.

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!

Blog Potatoe

I admit to being a blog potatoe. Part of that is the transitions my life has been going through and the things that I have been thinking about--most of which are not ready for this forum. Another part of it is that I haven't really believed that I have had anything worth writing about. I look at my sister's blog and most of it is about her 3 kids and the things they are doing. When kids are involved there is definately a lot of stuff to write about. However, when all I do is get up, go to work, come home to work and relax, go to bed, and do it all over again there isn't much there to write about (at least I think).

I have been on my job for 3 months now. Development and PR for a religious non-profit (not a 501(c)3 but a ministry of a church) is somewhat different from what I used to do but still very similiar. I have discovered that I am very good at project manangement. That is how I approached my last job as a minister (and why I needed to get out of full-time ministry) and it is how I am approaching this job. This job is much more about projects and deadlines--fundraisers, newsletters, events, etc. I am enjoying it.

For now I am signing off. I will do my best not to go so long between blog posts. God Bless

Grandmother

Mom called last Monday (March 31) and told me that Grandmother (my Dad's mom) had passed. Those who read my blog regularly may remember that it was just a little more than a year ago that I also lost my Grandma (my Mom's mom). This passing was not nearly as hard on me as my Grandma was. I was never all that close to my Grandmother and I remember fewer visits to see her than to my Grandma (and Grandpa).

For the past couple of years she had been suffering from the effects of dementia. It has been sometime now since she remembered who I was. Her oldest son (and my uncle) said at her funeral on Friday that all she remembered of him was that "here is a good friend." This passing has been the toughest on my Dad. Dad is the youngest of Grandmother's four kids. Dad is also the one who has cared for her as she has slipped further and further away. Grandmother lived in an assisted living facility near my parents in GA, and it was Dad who took her to see her doctor, picked her up for church and family events, and regularly visited her. Because of my Dad's close interaction with her she still knew Dad. Please don't miss understand me. I will miss my Grandmother. She was a strong woman. I don't believe I fully appreciated her until after she passed last week. My uncle wrote these following words that helped me understand and appreciate my Grandmother even more. It was an email he sent out that with a simple title "We Lost Mom Today." (I know it is long, but I believe you will be blessed by reading it.)

---From my Uncle Ron (Dad's oldest brother)---

We received a call from our daughter early this morning to inform us that my mother passed away Monday night (Tuesday morning here [they serve as missionaries in China]).

Mom suffered a stroke about eight years ago and has had increasing struggles ever since. She was a strong woman who worked hard all her life to take care of herself and us. She had many heartbreaking experiences in life, but never complained about them much. Mostly she just bore the pain and worked to do the best she could with the situations she faced. I had been a grown man for several years before I really began to realize what all she had endured and to appreciate the grace with which she bore her hardships. She lived in faith and faithful quietness, enjoying the happy times and struggling through the painful ones.

I cannot imagine the agony a mother of four would experience when she became convinced that she could not provide for her children by herself. In the days when few social services were available to single mothers and women's work paid much less than the men's, few options were open to her. She could have married again after my father abandoned her and his children. Maybe there was not the hope or trust necessary to believe that another husband would be anymore helpful than the last. But the grueling work in the cotton mills day after day, and the incessant needs of four little ones, took its toll. Mom faced a future with no good options on the horizon. Others may criticize her choice. Likely they have never felt her fear for children she loved or for her own sanity. She arranged for us to live at Childhaven, a children's home in north Alabama, just two hours away. She moved closer so that we could visit often. Lee Brock, the superintendent's wife we have always called "Mother Lee," pointed out to me a few years ago what I had never realized: Of all the dozens of children that had lived there, no other parent ever came regularly to visit with their children. Mom came ever other weekend. My father came once during my twelve years. Some may think placing us at Childhaven was an act of self-indulgence. I think it was an act of self-sacrifice. She was not seeking deliverance for herself but salvation for her children. And she paid an awful price for it. But it worked. All of her children are Christians and have established stable, happy homes. The cycle has been broken. In that Mom found joy and some peace from the agony of being separated from us so much for all those years. As adults none of us has ever harbored any resentment toward her for the decision she made. We have always loved her and held her in great respect.

Having been blessed so much myself with a loving and supportive partner, I always longed for Mom to have had the same. But she experienced little of that. First my father, and later my stepfather, both of whom could be very pleasant fellows at times, took much more than than they gave to Mom. She never expressed regret, much less anger toward either of them, and wanted to appear that it did not hurt or sadden her. But it has always been painful for me to think of the stress she bore and the love she was denied in both marriages. The strength of her character and self-discipline kept her on a steady, non-complaining, responsible course. But I fear it was far more lonesome than you would ever get her to admit.

Before her stroke, when she had retired and moved back to the farm where she grew up. She seemed to find a contentment that had often alluded her before. She loved the country around Deason, a small crossroads farming community in middle Tennessee. Many of the people who had been young adults when she was a youngster were still living, though now long time senior citizens. But they were her kind of people and this was home as no place else had ever been. So when she the stroke made it hard, even dangerous, for her to live alone in the country, it was still the only place she wanted to be. These were the people she understood. They were the people with whom she was safe and loved. Only with the greatest pain and sadness did she finally decide she could not remain there alone. But from the first day she left the farm to live in the comfort and supportive environment of "assisted living" she never stopped saying she "just wanted to go home."

Now she has gone home where all the pain and struggle are forever behind her. At last she is in the presence of no one who will take more from her than they give. I look forward to being with her again and, as never before, seeing her completely happy.

Evelyn and I leave in a few hours to return join our family in the US for a few days of mourning and celebration. Funeral plans are still pending.

Where does the time go?

Wow! February 3rd. One twelth of 2008 is gone. Where does the time go? It is amazing how quickly time flies even when one is not working full-time. After finishing my ministry at Wonder City at the end of the year, I have taken some time off from ministry for some much needed refreshment and renewal. One of the blessings and curses of this past month was being able to worship wherever we choose on Sunday. We have visited various churches and experienced some different styles of worship. It was a blessing to be able to worship and not have any responsibility for what is happening-just to be there and be able to worship. As someone who is the process of planting a church recently wrote it is the difference of attending worship verses doing worship. The down side of it was that Amy and I were basically visitors in a number of churches over the past month. There was no connection with those we were worshiping with. We were not really a part of that particular body. There was a vertical connection, but no horizontal connection. I have learned the value in being connected to a body of believers.

Being on this time of renewal and refreshment is not to say that I have been sitting at home doing nothing. (Despite what Amy may think-I only took one nap this past week.) I have been doing some work around the house. I have also already "started" my new job as Director of Development for Memphis Urban Ministry. Although I have not officially started the job, I am working 2-3 days a week from home; attending meetings, scheduling appointments, and doing whatever else I need to get done. This week I will be geting a mailing out, working on a document for the MUM staff meeting (Tuesday), and attending a couple of meetings. This coming Sunday Amy and I will reengage our leadership roles in the urban churches in Memphis-churches where we have both vertical and horizontal connections.

On a lighter note, the SuperBowl is tonight. New York vs. New England. I am going to enjoy the game, and in the first time in a couple of years not care who wins or loses. I would love to see history made and the Patriots go 19-0 humbling the '72 Dolphins. Even as I have been sitting here watching the pre-game this afternoon Fox has interviewed several members from the '72 Miami team and they have said they are actively looking for someone to beat the Patriots. On the other had, I would love to see Eli and the Giants win. I would love to see the underdog pull it out. My prediction is that New England will win by 10-14 points. Kickoff is now less than 30 minutes away, so I guess the outcome will be final in about 4 hours or so. For Amy, she is just glad football will be over!

Christmas Store

We had our annual Christmas Store this past Saturday. The Christmas Store is an event where people from our community can come and purchase toys and gifts for their children at 25% of the regular cost. We receive our toys and gifts from our partnership with Memphis Urban Ministry. They receive them from churches and individuals across the Memphis area who care about the poor and want to ensure they have a blessed Christmas as well. We had 63 individuals come through this year and purchased gifts for 258 children. This outreach allows these families to purchase toys for their own kids at affordable prices without forcing them to accept another handout that strips them of their dignity. Here are some pictures from this past Saturday.

Growth

The next couple of weeks I will spend some time reflecting out loud about my time at Wonder City. It is hard to believe that I only have two more weeks left at Wonder City after being here seven years. One of the things I that I have noticed the most over that time is the growth that has taken place at Wonder City. Seven years ago (back when I was a lowly apprentice) when Chris (the minister who founded Wonder City and whom I originally worked under) would bring up an issue with the church members to discuss they would usually automatically defer to whatever Chris thought. They had a hard time understanding and grasping that this was their church and they had ownership in the church. They had a right and a duty to help make decisions and shape the future and direction of the church. Now we have Servant Leaders. Spiritual ladies who help make decisions that affect the church. Even when an issue is taken to all the adults they don’t have a problem any more telling me what they think (without deferring to my judgment). An example is a couple months ago I had ordered some curriculum for the Wednesday adult class. After going through the first book, I had several adults let me know they didn’t like it and they thought it was under where they were. So I returned the remaining books and we started something different. This past Wednesday they let me know they like what we are now studying.

You may be reading this and not see anything significant about it. However, this is a huge step for the poor and depressed. They are used to having their lives acted upon and being told what to do. The government tells them where they can and cannot live, how much food stamp money they will receive, and the list goes on. As a result they lose any sense of ownership (even over their own lives). So when someone comes along and gives them a choice and sincerely wants their input, they don’t know what to do with that. Therefore they will usually defer to the one asking the question. Consequently learning the ability to regain ownership and no longer be a victim in one area (such as church) means they have learned a skill they can transfer into the other areas of their lives (schooling, housing, etc.). This is also a key to breaking the cycles of poverty. Adults who take responsibility and ownership of their lives can pass that trait and ability on to their children.

Wonder City has undergone tremendous growth over the past several years. This is just one example. There is not enough time or space to discuss them all.

C3 Live!

Some friends of mine have started a Christian band and this past Saturday night they had their first concert. It Although it really wasn't a concert. However, they are not a worship band either. But it was worship; complete with worship videos and Christian messages (through the videos and songs). It is hard to describe what it was--and is. C3 is not the name of the band, but of the event. It stands for Christian Community Cafe. They set the place up like a coffee house and even had free coffee and cookies for everyone.

The guys who are in the group are from across various denominational lines. For their first show(and only six practices) it was great! For now they are planning on playing every first Saturday of the month. They are hoping to add more in the future.

Update on Jeremy

Quick Summary: Jeremy Smith was transferred from the MED to a rehab facility in Truman, AR last week. However, he developed an infection in his feeding tube and was taken to the hospital in Jonesboro, AR. At this time he is being quarantined.

More Info: Jeremy has made some great improvements-including sitting up (ability to stay awake for extended periods) and talking. All glory is to God. I was with the family when the doctors told Linda (his mom) he would not survive and was brain dead. Although Jeremy has an infection (which they believe he contracted while at the MED) and is currently quarantined , they do not believe it is life-threatening. Because the infection is connected to his feeding tube, Jeremy has not be feed for three days. They don't know if the infection is just around the stomach or if it is in the stomach as well. Jeremy has still not started to eat anything by mouth again yet. All food is being given through the feeding tube. Please continue to pray for Jeremy and his family.

More Football Reflections

I was shocked this past weekend when both WV and Mizzuo lost throwing the BCS into complete disarray (just one more reason why a playoff of some kind is needed). I expected OK to beat Mizzuo, but I did not expect WV to lose to Pitt! What a crazy college football season. I am glad to see that an SEC team is playing for the National Championship. Go Tigers!

Additionally, I did not expect (but very glad to see) Alabama get a bowl game. With so many SEC teams bowl eligible, I expected the Tide to get left out with a 6-6 record. I thought we would need at least a 7-5 record to go bowling. I will be watching on Dec 30th as Bama plays Colorado in the Independence Bowl. Roll Tide!

SEC Football Reflections

Well, Bama did lose this past weekend. Oh well! I can't say that I am completely surprised considering the way the team has been playing recently.

On the other hand there were two things that have completely surprised me in the SEC recently. First, Arkansas beat LSU! I would have never predicted that. I thought for sure that LSU was going to come out focused and take care of business knowing that losing would end their national championship hopes. Let me say for the record that I hate the overtime system in college football. It may work well for other conferences and teams in the NCAA, but not the SEC. Every season there multiple games that go 3+ overtime periods in SEC play (both games LSU has lost this year were 3+ overtime loses). The SEC teams beat each other up and are just too good. Giving teams the ball on the 25 yard line practically guarantees a score each possession. I don't know that they need to play a whole overtime period equal to a regular quarter of play, but I do believe some kind of timed overtime period that is fully played (no sudden death) is what is needed. Maybe something in the eight to ten minute range with fourth quarter rules applying. Each team could receive 2 timeouts. If the game is still tied at the end of the overtime period, then allow the game to end in a tie. Ties could be factored into the BCS and would definately make the current system even more interesting (although I am also for a playoff system-but that is another post for another time).

Second, living in Arkansas I have constantly heard the dissatisfaction with coach Nutt and the desire of the fans to have a new head coach. There were some that doubted the U of AR would let him go since he just signed an extension (before this season if I remember correctly). Also, all he has done is win at the U of AR. He has not been a bad coach with a losing record. So, I was surprised when he resigned from the Razorbacks and headed to Oxford, MS to be the new head coach at Ole Miss. People around here are glad he is gone. I will be very interested next season when the AR-Ole Miss game comes up on the schedule. That rivalry will now be more intensive than ever.

Cool New Tool & Bama

I like this new feature on blogger where I can put a poll out there and get everyone's feedback. I have decided my first poll will be a football poll. I am a big Alabama fan! I can't believe we lost to LA-Monroe this weekend. However, after two straight loses, redemption is coming this weekend in the form of Auburn--our arch enemy. The Tide will be hungry and looking to show everyone that we are deserving of a bowl. Tell me what you think and vote--will Bama beat Auburn this weekend?

The Right Time

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 talks about how there is a time and a season for every activity on earth. It was the summer of 2000 when I was attending Harding Graduate School that I took the Urban Ministry class and was first introduced to Memphis Urban Ministry. That began the process for me (and Amy) to move from the boot heel of Missouri (where I was a pulpit minister) to come to the Memphis area and work at Wonder City. Amy and I moved here January 6, 2001 and began working at Wonder City on February 1, 2001. Although things were financially difficult for us for a while that was the right time for us. The past six plus years have been very rewarding for us and we would not give up this experience for anything.

However, now it is time for me to move on from Wonder City. This past September the elders at Missouri Street asked me to look at whether I was the right person to lead Wonder City long term considering it would only be a one person ministry for a while. After Amy and I both retook the Uniquely You personality profiles, had a couple of career consulting sessions and met with several other individuals along with much prayer, it was obvious that my gifts and personality would be best used by God in another role. Because of our love for Wonder City (and Missouri Street) this decision was not made lightly and was very difficult.

During this time I was also presented with the opportunity to become the Director of Development for Memphis Urban Ministry This new job will allow me to work more out my spiritual gifts than where I am currently as the minister of Wonder City. This new job will also allow me to continue to work for the future success of Wonder City (along with all the other urban churches) again by focusing my time and energy on those areas where God has gifted me. At this time there are still a few final steps that need to be taken to fully secure this new position, however, I fully believe this new position is God’s will.

The elders and I are still working towards determining an actual last day—probably at the end of the year. The work at Wonder City is God’s work (Eccles. 3:14). It was not my ministry. It is God’s ministry and I fully believe that he will continue to what he has been doing to reach those to whom Wonder City appeals and reaches out to. The elders have also reassured me and the Wonder City members that they are still very much behind the ministry at Wonder City and will work to find a new minister for Wonder City.

For those who financially support me in my work at Wonder City I will be contacting you within the next couple of weeks to talk with you more fully as your continued support will be a key to my success in my new role. To everyone I covet your prayers both for Amy and I and Wonder City during this time of transition. God Bless.

More on Jeremy

The latest news from Linda (Jeremy’s mom) is that he is slowly improving. This past Sunday they medical staff had Jeremy up and in a chair for a couple of hours. That was the most he could tolerate before they had to move him back to his bed. They still have him somewhat sedated, but not as much as before. They are hopeful that Jeremy can be moved to a room where they will be able to visit him at any time (verses designated times only) soon.

Sorry for the delay with the news. I have been sick the past couple of days with a sinus infection. I am better today after going to the doctor yesterday.

Highs and Lows

This past Sunday, Wonder City experience the high of a baptism. A 17-year-old young man who goes by A.V. was baptized. This baptism has been a long time coming. This young man has attended Wonder City for several years with his family. He has struggled with the idea of having to get his life together before giving his life to God. That is one of the biggest reasons I hear people give in the neighborhood for not becoming a Christian--having to wait to become a Christian until they take care of their sins. They have a hard time grasping that is what Jesus does when we give our lives to him. Finally a few weeks ago (just before Jeremy was shot) A.V. called me and told me he wanted to be baptized. Which we did this past Sunday.

However, this high was followed by a low on Monday evening when this same young man was arrested for shoplifting. His mom dropped him off at the grocery store to get some food and the next thing she knows he is being escorted out in handcuffs by a police man. According to A.V. the reason he was shoplifting was to get out of the gang which he belonged and this was what they required to get "jumped out." He spent Monday night in jail and had a court appearance on Wednesday morning.

Life is often messy in urban environments where the desire to do the right thing and peer pressure to do otherwise is often much stronger than anything I have ever personally experienced. I don't know what exactly is ahead of this young man as he deals with his legal issues, but I hope that he learns from this experience. I also hope that he is telling the truth and he was trying to get out of the gang since he had given his life to Jesus.

More on Jeremy

I have not heard any news in the past couple of days. I am assuming that everything is about the same. The one new piece of information I have is that when the doctors did the surgery to remove his left eye they did not have to remove the whole eye. They were able to leave the part of the eye that allows movement. Therefore, should he survive and is fitted with a glass eye, it will be able to move and look more natural. I will continue to post new information as it becomes available.