I Need Your Input

March 18, 2008

Did you miss me the last couple of days? I try to put something up every day when possible, but the past few days have been difficult. I got home at midnight Saturday after my flight from Philadelphia was delayed. My Sundays start by arriving at the office around 7:00am. This Sunday, the running didn’t stop until late Sunday evening after the new member’s reception in our home — after making an appearance to speak to a mission prayer team, the youth league draft, visiting my father in the hospital, and teaching my Ezra class on leadership in the Shepherd School of ministry. Dad is doing much better by the way. Thanks for asking.

Monday was even busier. Today was only a bit less complicated. Add to the mix the fact that I am still trying to shake this coughing, wheezing hacking stuff that many of you have graciously shared with me, and I’m just not not feeling on top of the world. By the time I finish a couple of 14 to 15 hour workdays, I haven’t had much energy to do a post. Honestly, more than a lack of energy, my brain has been pure mush. So, that’s why you haven’t heard from me. I have some things whirling around in my head that I want to share, though. I just need another day or so to recuperate, and I appreciate your patience. Once I am thinking clearly, I might be able to express myself more coherently.

So, why do I need your help? Well, since I have no energy left tonight, maybe you would like to make a contribution yourself by leaving a comment. Maybe you have something profound to share with this blog’s vast, world wide audience. This is your big opportunity. Or, maybe you would like to suggest something you would like for me to comment on in some future post. No promises, but all honest input sincerely appreciated.

See you tomorrow! Right now, I’m going to try and get some rest.

http://www.kcbt.org Jeff Adams

You guys are great! Thanks for your help and encouragement. Your comments are wonderful.

Jackie, I’m happy you found El Rancho! I was there Tuesday myself. Of course, I had a whiz with at Pat’s last week!

Bo-kyoung, all that stuff in the Deuteronomy is not for us to live by today, but to symbolize God’s truth in other areas. For example, Read Romans 15:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-11 for more understanding of that point. By the way, I eat pork, too!

Tina, be careful not to reveal too much. We wouldn’t want the screen pulled away from the Wizard of Oz. He’d just be a whiz without.
leebing

I have to be honest. I can’t even keep up with reading all the posts that you right Jeff. If you only did every other day maybe I could keep up. What I’m saying is, I don’t know how you manage to right so much and so often when I can’t even keep up with reading all of them! As my wife and I have to pace ourselves to take care of our health, I would encourage you that it’s ok to take whatever time you need for rest to renew your body and mind.
Jackie

Jeff – glad to have you back in blogosphere! oh and I just tried the tacos al pastor from El Rancho, yummy!!
Bo-kyoung

Whenever I read Deuteronomy 14, I was wondering if these things have something to do with us?
If so, what is that? Or if not, why are these stuffs in the Bible? What does God want to tell us with them?
I learned that we are under the Grace of God, not under the old law.
Does it mean that we can ignore all these kind of things in the Old Testament?
I eat pork. I like it. But I want to make sure it is ok to eat that.

ps. I hope your energy tank is filled up now!
CtfromNH

Jeff, Your readers did miss you and wonder if you were okay! I do hope you rested, and I would encourage you to try not to let this blog be another one of your many pressures or obligations. The Word does go forth from here, that is true, but I can tell from your entries that it is also fun, and an outlet for you – an additional way to minister. I am trying to say that daily appearances are not required; we trust that God can direct even in the small details of when to make a blog entry.
(A reader from NH)
unixrab

Here’s a song I’ve been listening to, by “Rush of Fools”

I have tried to follow, I have tried to lead
I have failed at everything
I have been the culprit to my selfish needs, made everything, but You, my King

I couldn’t be any less worthy
To spend one day much less forever with You

I lift my hands just as I am, I’m letting go of false control
I lift my voice, I have no choice
My life is Yours, use me for Your fame, Your fame

I have not seen heaven, I haven’t seen Your face
But I’ve seen Your Spirit move
And Jesus it’s amazing the evidence of grace standing all around this room

I’m merely a product of mercy
The target and victim of Your perfect love

I lift my hands just as I am, I’m letting go of false control
I lift my voice, I have no choice
My life is Yours, use me for Your fame, spreading like a flame

Let every breath proclaim glory to Your name
You can’t be contained and I’ll never be the same

I lift my hands just as I am, I’m letting go of false control
I lift my voice, I have no choice
My life is Yours, use me for Your fame, Your fame
tinalewisrowe

My input: I will share with readers my memory of the young Jeff Adams in Arkansas City, Kansas High School. You were a sophomore and I was a senior, both of us in Mr. Stuckey’s Forensics (competitive speech) class. You sat behind me and looked about twelve years old–a skinny, nice-to-everyone, smiling little kid with a mind that was far more mature than anyone else’s in the class or probably even in the school. I told you you ought to join the debate team, and you thought that sounded pretty sophisticated! For competition you did an presentation of a expressive reading called “The Button” and won a medal for it.

You always were busy in Orchestra and Band, where you were first chair French Horn. You often were asked by the Orchestra Director to guest direct, because you were so good at it. I think it’s safe to say you were teacher’s pet in a lot of classes!

Your Mom says she can remember you running down the alley from home, headed for high school–and late because you had so many things to do to get ready, and so much studying you felt was necessary even in the morning. She showed me the very corner you turned while running, and your French Horn case opened up, spilling all your sheet music on the ground. I felt bad about that!

You did well in shop too–and put a lot of effort into that clipboard you walked around with–different colored strips of laminated wood. Very nice! And you worked far too hard as you got older in high school. Your Dad reminded me once of how you worked for the guy who had you climbing radio towers because HE didn’t want to do it. Your Dad said he and your Mom just about had a heart attack over that! But you enjoyed it because by that time you were involved in learning Ham Radio operation.

Then, there was the gig at KSOK, as a DJ and general hard worker. About that time I also recall you playing the autoharp for Norma Sharp, a brilliant soloist who later went to Germany as an opera star. She probably had to leave the country to get over the memory of that autoharp! (I wonder if any readers will know what that is?) You didn’t want to do it, but you were too nice to say no when they asked you to help, so don’t feel too badly.

In your yearbook I wrote “I predict you will unanimously be elected Student Council President in 1966.” It wasn’t unanimous, but you were elected–I think you were Junior Class President too. You did more than anyone had ever done in the Stuco President role. For example, when the school was thinking of eliminating the traditional Sunday night Baccalaureate service (a city wide church service) you made an impassioned plea to keep it, and they did. You spoke at that service, representing the graduating seniors.

One of my strongest memories is of you signing my yearbook. You started it with, “Dear Rat Fink” (That was apparently our idea of very cool repartee.)

So, what do all of these memories have to do with your blog? Just this—it seems to me you demanded too much of yourself in high school and you still do. As much as everyone enjoys reading your thoughts, we will live without a daily post now and then–and maybe you should try posting every two days as a matter of practice. I enjoy reading older posts as well as new ones. I would be very happy to hear that you took a day off, did not work on your computer and did not run all over town doing this and that. I imagine many of your other friends would feel the same way.

So, that’s my input, Rat Fink. Tina Lewis, ACHS 4Ever!

Jeff Adams

I Need Your Input