A Good Day

Posted on July 7, 2006 by Jason

I had Krispy Kreme for breakfast and this afternoon I lost track of time playing with my son. Today was definitely a good day.

Posted in Random | 4 Comments

For Abby Kate and Joshua

Posted on July 6, 2006 by Jason

Two years ago today, my children were born. Sunny recalls that day on her blog. I suppose it was the most beautiful day of my life. I honestly can’t remember what our lives were like before our kids were born. Today I write in honor of Abby Kate and Joshua.

Abby Kate, you make me so proud. People have started calling you a daddy’s girl and that makes me proud. You are so fiercely independent and I have to admit, that makes me very proud. I doubt you’ll ever be a crowd follower. You’re so content to do your own thing; in fact, that’s the only time you’re truly content. You don’t let your guard down easily, and I’m thankful for that, too. You level others with a discerning glare that reminds me of my father. Again, that makes me proud. But you are also so warm, so loving, so tender. To those of us who’ve earned your trust, you’re the sweetest, most cuddly little girl in the world. I pray you’ll always be discerning in your relationships. As your father, it’s my prerogative to want this for you. But I hope you’ll also continue to love passionately from the deep places of your heart. I hope you fall deeply and madly in love with the One who is pursuing you, even now, with His love. Size Him up, measure Him with your own discernment and see if He is lacking. And when you’re sure, love Him and never let go. That’s my prayer for you, my Daddy’s girl.

Joshua, I get this feeling inside when I think about you and I suppose I’ll never be able to describe it. You are my son. And something wells up inside of me at that thought: something proud, something sure. The bond we share sustains me. I know how much you look up to me and I know I’m unworthy of your devotion. But I’m your hero nonetheless and even though I’m destined to fail in this impossible role, I want to try — desperately, with all of my being — to be the kind of example you deserve. I know someday you’ll realize that I’m invincible, that I don’t always make all my shots, that I don’t always have all the answers, that I sometimes say one thing and do another. And that’s my great fear in all of this. But I’m praying that you’ll see past my shortcomings to see Christ living in me. May He be your hero, son. He’ll never leave you, never forsake you. I look forward to the day when our relationship is made complete; on the day when you become not only my son, but also my brother in Christ. That’s my prayer for you, my little man.

Father, thank you for Abby Kate and Joshua and the blessing they are to my life. May you bless them with many years of life here. May their lives be a blessing to You.

Posted in Devotional, Kids | 4 Comments

MyPod: Cash – American V

Posted on July 5, 2006 by Jason

I picked up the new Johnny Cash album yesterday, the fifth installment of his American Recordings Series. A Hundred Highways was recorded just prior to Cash’s death in September, 2003 and like the previous American Recordings albums, it’s a sparse collection with Cash’s quivering baritone the primary instrument on display. Thank you once again, Rick Rubin. Like the 309 will go down as the final song ever recorded by the Man in Black. Yet another great album to listen to right now. Man, I’m wearing out the iTunes & the iPod these days. It’s early, but my favorite track so far is probably God’s Gonna Cut You Down, a prophetic, justice-thirsty tune. I think that says something about my personality these days.

I haven’t really posted anything of substance lately. Lots of music & sports. I guess that says a lot about where I’m at these days, too. It’s summertime and I’m a youth minister, so go figure. Tomorrow my kids turn two, so expect a post along those lines.

Posted in Cash, Music | 4 Comments

An Update

Posted on July 2, 2006 by Jason

I realize I’ve left a few loose ends dangling here. Several people have asked me about a few things, so here’s an update….

First, we do have air conditioning. Luckily, Sunny was able to get that knocked out before I came back from Impact last week. Thank the Lord for AC.

Second, the Morrow babies are here! Ben and Anna welcomed little Abbie, Bailey and Noah into the world last Wednesday. All 3 babies weighed over 3 lbs…what a blessing! Several weeks ago, we all thought Anna might deliver the babies (or at least one of them) early. The fact that she made it 31 weeks is a testimony to the power of prayer. You can follow their journey here.

Third, I continue to solicit your prayers for my sister, Tara. The stress test on her heart was abnormal, so she has an arteriorgram scheduled tomorrow. Sounds like she might have some significant blockage that might require a stint. We’ll know more tomorrow. Tara has asked for prayers that this test will go smoothly without pain, clots and stroke. I’ll keep you all posted.

Posted in Random | 5 Comments

All-Star Starters

Posted on June 30, 2006 by Jason

Voting for this summer’s 77th Major League Baseball All-Star Game is officially over. Fans select the starting lineups for both the AL and the NL squads. There are always a few snubs, as long-time stars are frequently voted in over more deserving, lesser known players. I’m sure this year will be no different. You didn’t ask, but here’s who you should’ve voted for, starting with the American League:

C: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins. Mauer, a former prep football blue-chipper, leads the league in batting in his first full season as a big league backstop.

1B: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox. Never mind that Ortiz hasn’t played the position all season long (he’s a full-time DH). What All Star Game would be complete without Papi? Among players who play first base full time, I’d probably have to go with Paul Konerko.

2B: Jose Lopez, Seattle Mariners. This is a weak position since Soriano moved to the NL. At $335,000, Lopez could be the lowest paid starter on this year’s squad.

SS: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees. 3 weeks ago, I might’ve voted for Tejada. But he’s tanking and Jeter’s a gamer.

3B: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees. At $25.7 million, he’s the most overpaid All-Star starter.

OF: Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners.
OF: Vernon Wells, Toronto Blue Jays.
OF: Alex Rios, Toronto Blue Jays.
Ichiro’s a shoe-in here. The other two spots will probably go to Manny and Vlad, but Wells and Rios have been exceptional this season. Hopefully they’ll be named to the club by Ozzie Guillen.

SP: Johan Santana, Minnesota Twins. He should join his battery mate, Mauer, in Pittsburgh.

And now on to the National League:

C: Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves. McCann has been the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal season in Hot-lanta. Trade Smoltz? Say it ain’t so….unless he goes to the Cards.

1B: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals. Before his injury, Pujols was on a record setting pace. A few weeks on the DL allowed some others to enter the conversation here, most notably Ryan Howard. But Fat Albert is still out hitting him by 20 points with comparable power numbers. He’s money.

2B: Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies. Utley is the cream of another weak 2B class.

SS: Jose Reyes, New York Mets.
3B: David Wright, New York Mets.
With Reyes and Wright, the Metropolitans have put together an infield combo that rivals the Bomber’s duo of Jeter & ARod.

OF: Carlos Beltran, New York Mets.
OF: Alfonso Soriano, Washington Nationals.
OF: Carlos Lee, Milwaukee Brewers.
Beltran will probably start and Soriano stands a good shot as well. Lee has blossomed in his second year with the Brew Crew.

SP: Brandon Webb, Arizona Diamondbacks. This one is up in the air. You could make a case for Webb, Pedro, Jason Schmidt or even Bronson Arroyo.

Catch the MLB All-Star Game on July 11th!

Posted in Baseball | 3 Comments

B Collision

Posted on June 29, 2006 by Jason

Over the past 10 months, I’ve listened to a lot of music. Plenty of quality artists have released some great albums (like Springsteen’s We Shall Overcome and Derek Webb’s Mockingbird.) But not since my Beatles phase in college have I been so completely consumed with an artist. I can’t get enough of The David Crowder Band. DCB has ministered to me so much over the past year. Their latest full-length release, A Collision, easily ranks among my top 10 albums of all-time. It was my favorite album of 2005, hands down. Here’s what I wrote in December:

A masterful next step in their artistic evolution. An eclectic mix of different genres (punk, bluegrass, piano-driven ballads, anthem rock, etc.) with worship as their common denominator. Isn’t that what worship is about, a diverse people united to worship a common God? Throw in some groovy whistling riffs and a key-tar and you’ve got yourself a five-star album in my book.

So you can imagine my excitement to hear that David and the boys would be releasing B Collision this summer. If you enjoyed A Collision, then B is a must-own. It’s an 8-track mini-album of bluegrass and live versions of some of A Collision’s cuts. The album also functions as balm for the band as they continue to sort out the tragic loss of Kyle Lake, a dear friend and the pastor of the University Baptist Church who was electrocuted last October during a baptism. With B Collision the band has “chosen bluegrass music as a means to discuss…grief and the resulting hope that is born out of it.” Another masterpiece from a great band.

The David Crowder Band is up for Artist of the Month at MSN…and they’re winning! Vote for DCB here.

Posted in Music | 2 Comments

I am Jacob

Posted on June 28, 2006 by Jason

I was asked to teach a class at Impact this year. Each teacher was asked to share their story and relate their story to a Biblical character’s story. The parallel story I chose was the Jacob narrative in Genesis 32. This passage has always intrigued me. You’ve probably read it before: Alone at the river Jabbok, Jacob is approached by a man who engages him in an all-night wrestling match. Turns out the assailant is God incarnate. Just before dawn, God commands Jacob to release him. Jacob refuses to comply, instead demanding a blessing from his adversary. God changes his name to Israel, a moniker representative of their encounter. Jacob limps away bearing the scars of his meeting with the divine.

I chose this text as a parallel to my own story because it says much about my own experience with God. Jacob was a tenacious guy. As his birth narrative also illustrates, Jacob was a determined individual. Once he grabbed on to something — be it God or his brother’s heel — he didn’t let go. Like Jacob, I’ve wrestled with God through a period of darkness in my life. After the death of my mother, I went to some dark places spiritually. I held God accountable for her death. I directed my anger and pain toward Him. Doubt, fear, resentment, bitterness…all of these I experienced as I wrestled with my faith and my God.

It’s true that in the Genesis 32 narrative, Jacob demonstrates his usual tenacity, refusing to let go of God. But I think Jacob’s story, and even my own, is about so much more. If you look at the entirety of Jacob’s story, you realize his story is not so much about his refusal to let go of God; instead, it’s about God’s refusal to let go of a guy like Jacob.

Jacob was a man of questionable character. Yet God chose to make him the namesake of His covenant people. I’m thankful tonight that God has likewise chosen me for covenant relationship, in spite of my sometimes questionable character. Even during the times in my life when I’ve let go of Him, God has never given up on me. In that regard, I am Jacob.

Thank you, Father, for pursuing me with Your relentless love. Thank you for never letting go of me, never giving up on me. In spite of who I have been, you change my name and call me into covenant relationship with You.

Posted in Devotional, Theology | 2 Comments

Fat Andy

Posted on June 27, 2006 by Jason

So Sunny took our dog to the vet this morning. Andy, a goofy cocker spaniel, has been a part of our family for nearly 6 years. He was an anniversary present to Sunny on our first anniversary. It’s been a while since we took him to the vet, so I figured we’d have to pony up for some new heartworm pills or something. Nothing major. I was wrong.

The last time we took him to the vet, he weighed 38 lbs. The vet told us he was obese; he should weigh no more than 28 lbs. I guess we should’ve listened. This morning, Andy tipped the scales at a robust 50 lbs, making him the Marlon Brando of cocker spaniels. My dog weighs more than both my children combined. I’m expecting a call from PETA anyday now.

Posted in Random | 7 Comments

A Mid-Summer Night’s Prayer

Posted on June 26, 2006 by Jason

We’re officially at the midway point of our summer youth ministry calendar. We just came off a week of camp at Lipscomb; earlier in the summer, I led a group to Nashville for Workcamp. We’ve also had many in-town events, Bible studies and worship times, all of which have been great.

It’s usually at this point in the summer that I begin to feel the cumulative effect of our activity. I feel tired & worn down. It’s a challenge to find time for my own spiritual nourishment. I desperately need to pause and spend some time in the Word. My prayer time needs recussitating. Like Elijah, I need to stop long enough to hear the gentle whisper of the Lord’s voice.

Lord, I pray my activity would not drown out Your voice. Calm me, still me, speak to me as only You can.

Tomorrow: I Am Jacob

Posted in Devotional, Prayer | 6 Comments

Welcome to the Blogsphere!

Posted on June 25, 2006 by Jason

After much deliberation and with great trepidation, Sunny Bybee has joined the blogsphere. Her blog, Double Stuf, is her online reflection as a mother of twins. You should check out her ruminations on things at the Bybee household. I’m sure it’ll always be an interesting read.

You might’ve also noticed that my sister has a blog. I’ve labeled it Big Sis in my Community. She had a great post about the perils of teaching my 16-year-old nephew how to drive. Check it out, too.

Welcome to the blogsphere, ladies!

Posted in Blogging, Sunny | 2 Comments