Jill Update

My sister is doing much better! Thanks for the outpouring of prayers and stuff. Still in the hospital...but definitely on the mend...

Pray for My Sister Please

Hey folks. I just got word that my sister (and new momma) Jill Patton got rushed to the ER in College Station last night with severe hemorhaging. Lost lots of blood and had 3 hours of emergency surgery. The main concern is now infection. Apparently the cause was her "Class 4" episiotomy stitches coming out and nicking an artery. Jill is groggy and resting, but a bit freaked out.

So, please pray for Jill, Glen, and Davis Patton...thanks...

Uncle Ben and Auntie M

Jackson has a first cousin!

Davis Everette Patton was born Jan. 16 to my sis (Jill) and Glen Patton.

He is a cutie, and a) Jax is already possessive ("my baby!") and Missy is getting some baby fever ("I don't wanna leave...I missy little babies...").

Oh boy...

a clarification

So that last posting (Markie/Lil Markie) is producing some confusion...

First, it isn't the guy who posted (www.ysmarko.com). It is actually some other guy going by "Markie". Mark Oestriecher (www.ysmarko.com) just mentioned how his parents used to call him "Markie" and that the singing guy was using Markie as a nickname...

Second, I'm sorry if my comments were a bit harsh or judgemental. Now, I know some just read that and said, "Come on, Ben! That guy is awful! Don't worry about it...", but others might still fit along the, "That wasn't nice..." line (like, "Yeah, that was bad, but still Ben, he (and others like him) are trying to make a difference for God.")

So, there you go. Maybe I should be more sensitive...but I still think it is darn goofy...

another crazy link

http://www.ysmarko.com/?p=2345

Play the clip...and either laugh, cringe, or both....

Seriously, and I know that I probably shouldn't say this about ANYONE just trying to share Jesus, but... Really? That? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Ok, if that showed up in a church I was at, I would likely sit politely but vomit a bit in my mouth... I am saddened by stuff like that. I know he's trying, but dang.

I bet the folks who brought him in without checking him out, either on a website, or a clip sent in a promo pack, or even just more research before just saying "sure" when the old lady in the church says, "you have to get this guy to come sing. I saw him at a revival once and I bet the youth would LOVE him," are praying for a do-over. (Sadly, I have been referenced folks like that in similar situations...thankfully I am a skeptic with things like that and ALWAYS do my homework...).

Oh well. Sorry to Mark/Lil Markie if I'm being too mean...

So wrong...so funny...

I am a bad person... But I can't help it.

http://www.wittenburgblog.com/2008/01/resolutions-of-televangelists-2008.html

Laugh at your own peril.

Happy New Year (finally) and a book recommendation

Happy 2008!

Had a good time in Kerrville, good holiday in general. Overall I am feeling good about getting back in the swing of things, with a few things (like "Sunday School block") I am struggling with a bit...

I also have a bit of "blog-block" too...several ideas, some subjects I've been pondering about, but whenever I seem to have time to blog, my mind gets unfocused. I'll work on that...

I will leave you with a book recommendation: "To Own a Dragon", by Donald Miller (http://www.amazon.com/Own-Dragon-Reflections-Growing-Without/dp/1576837319). Its' premise is on "growing up without a father" (something I can't relate to...have a great dad), but I decided to read it anyways to see if it could be worth offering to some folks I know, etc. BOY IS IT! Even with a good "dad model" in my life, I still found so much wisdom and influence in this book. Miller and I, save for his lack of father growing up, seem to have similar personalities (and thus, struggles/default attitudes), so I still found much to personally reflect on. Bottom line: if you or someone you know has always struggled with viewing God as a true Father, or if you yourself struggle with what "being a man" is really about, or even if you are a woman wanting to know what kind of guy you need to "look for", this book has worth.

I know too many guys who struggle mightily in their faith, attitudes toward women, leadership, decision making, and themselves due to the lack of a dad in their upbringing. Donald also shares his experiences with a "mentor" (John MacMurray...who gets a co-authorship mention as a result), which in addition to some other sources (like, my wife's request) I am considering for myself. Yet, and this is important, Miller makes sure to remind all that mentors, "dad-figures", etc., are NOT replacements for a lack-of-dad. God is the only one capable of that, but we have to understand that desire of his to be our true Daddy. And (and as a youth pastor, I have had this unrealistic expectation put on me before from families lacking "Dads"), Miller makes sure we all know that we can't expect "true fathering" from others. Guys like me, in "male leader" roles, can be examples, offer time, love, and wisdom, but to expect us to be "replacement dads" is unfair...

Anyhow, a great read for anyone.