Mother’s Day: For Mom

Posted on May 13, 2006 by Jason

When I was 15 years old, my mother and I signed up to work the nursery at church on Sunday mornings during the summer. It was a job she and I had done together several times. She enjoyed it more than I did, but I think it helped her to stay busy, especially after my father died.

I remember one Sunday morning in particular. A lady in the church came to pick up her child and as I handed their diaper bag to her, she looked at me and said, “Jason, you’re looking just like your mother.”

I turned red with embarassment. There are fewer things a 15-year-old boy wants to hear than how much he resembles his mother. Since my father’s death 5 years earlier, I desperately wanted people to see him in me. As much as I loved my mother, I fiercely clung to my father’s image. He was who I wanted to look like, talk like, act like. Being told I looked like my mother was terrible. I considered the comment an affront to my manhood. The truth is I didn’t want to look like my mother.

Fast forward another 15 years to my niece’s baptism. Sunny and I returned to Lebanon to be there as Hope, my sister’s daughter, was baptized. Afterward, as we were standing around talking with people, a dear sweet lady approached me, a friend of the family I’d not seen in years. After introducing her to Sunny and the kids, she looked right at me and said, “Jason, you look just like your mother.”

Her comment caught me off-guard. It’s been over 12 years since my mother passed away. I don’t live in my home town anymore and I’m very rarely around anyone who even knew my mother. I can’t remember the last time someone mentioned either of my parents in conversation with me. But her comment nearly brought me to tears. It’s not so much that I think she’s right (I actually don’t think I look much like my mother at all). I guess it just meant a lot to me to hear someone remember my mother. Today, I consider it a supreme compliment to be compared to my mother.

She taught me about compassion and faith, love for God and love for others.

She said, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” a pithy saying when spoken tritely…a powerful testimony when lived out through adversity.

She saw the potential in me when others only saw an angry young man.

If she were still here, there are so many things I would say to her on this Mother’s Day.

Mom, because of you, I know how to love other people.

Because of you, I know how to deal with adversity with strength and dignity.

Because of you, I have great respect for those who would be mothers.

Because of you, I know Jesus.

On this Mother’s Day, know that you are remembered. I cherish the person you were; I cherish who you are even now to me.

If I bear any semblance to you, Mom, I’m the lucky one. I love you.
Jason

Posted in Devotional, Mom | 7 Comments

The Thought Counts…But What About The Gift?

Posted on May 8, 2006 by Jason

The past few years, I’ve really missed the mark on Sunny’s birthdays. Actually, that’s an understatement. The blunders I’ve committed on her past two birthdays have been of epic proportions. Allow me to explain.

Historically, I’ve not done that poorly. I mean, I’ve never considered myself to be all that romantic, but I’ve had a track record of decent gifts over the years. Our dog, Andy, was a gift for our first anniversary. For Christmas a few years back, I completely updated Sunny’s CD collection, purchasing about 40 new discs for her and secretly slipping them into her CD holder. But lately, I’ve been in something of a slump.

Two years ago, Sunny was in her final trimester of pregnancy. Of course, this presented a unique gift-purchasing challenge. Travel — one of my wife’s favorite things to do — was out for obvious reasons. (Sunny was put on bed-rest in early May, thwarting my plans to take her to a Cardinals game.) I had to strike clothing from the list as well. What woman wants maternity clothing for her birthday? Even staple items like shoes and jewelry were out due to pregnancy-induced swelling. I’d given her lotion for Christmas and the previous birthday, so no dice there either. You can see my quandry. What’s a guy to do? The mall was no help; Internet shopping yielded no results. Time was running short. The pressure was on.

Then, I settled on the perfect gift. Sunny’s always been a sports fan and since our favorite past-time — major league baseball — was out, I found something that would suit her perfectly.

A gift replete with local charm and ambiance.

A gift that expressed the totality of my love for my wife.

I bought her arena football tickets.

Yes, that’s right, my wife rang in her 26th birthday on the front row of a Huntsville Vipers Arena Football game. Fifty-yard line, baby. I even sprung for popcorn. Sweet.

Well, after that fiasco, I figured I couldn’t do any worse. I was wrong. Last year I committed the cardinal sin.

I forgot her birthday.

In my defense, I had been extremely busy with work and grad school and babies. Sunny was even hospitalized for several days last May, which obviously pushed gift purchasing to the back burner. But let’s face it: there’s never any excuse for forgetting your wife’s birthday, right? I was able to run out that evening and pick up a few last minute things for her, but by that point, the damage was done. I was busted.

To her credit, Sunny always handles my gifting ineptitude with grace and kindness. (Which is worse: completely forgetting or remembering but botching the gift? Seems like botching the gift is the lesser of two evils here. But either way, I’m a doofus.) On top of everything, she goes out and gets me an XM Radio for my birthday, probably the best gift I’ve ever received.

So this year, I’m going on record here: this will be a birthday to remember, Sunny. It’s the Year of Jubilee. Past sins have been forgotten, the page has been turned. Prepare to be amazed. You’re going to love what I’m getting you. I promise.

So, anybody got any good ideas?

Posted in Sunny | 22 Comments

Just War?

Posted on May 5, 2006 by Jason

A lot of this has been percolating in my brain for a long time. Delving into Yoder this week and attending Harris’s class on the Kingdom really pushed me over the top.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time reflecting on the notion of just war recently. And I’m not really questioning whether the war we’re currently engaged in is “just”. (I made up my mind about that a long time ago.) I’m wondering if there’s such a thing as a just war. I ask myself: Is any war justified? Are there situations where God would call us to bear arms? Could I honestly bring myself to strike an individual created in God’s own image? Is this kind of malice ever justified?

The tension is palpable for me. On the one hand, I have an innate craving for justice. I desire to stand up for the poor, the put down, the put upon. I am most moved when I hear of global injustices, situations where a person or group of people are denied the basic dignity they deserve. When a tyrant yields his will in an oppressive manner, subjecting his subjects to poverty (or worse) as a result of his own greed or lust for power, my visceral reaction is for justice. In these situations, bearing the sword may be necessary to establish peace. World War II is a classic example.

But the image of God argument resonates with me. I dare not disrespect those who serve in our military, those who make incredible sacrifices — ultimate sacrifices, in some cases — in the name of liberty. My liberty. The liberty I exercise even now as I write freely. Please hear me when I say I have the deepest respect for those who have purchased the freedom I enjoy. But I’m having a hard time ignoring the words and actions of Jesus here. Was His death not the greatest injustice? Yet, when He was struck, He turned the other cheek. When the crowd hurled insults, He absorbed them silently. When the Romans nailed Him to the cross, He prayed for them. Am I reading too much into the moment when He commanded Peter to sheathe his sword? What do we make of His cryptic utterance: “For all who take the sword will perish by the sword,” in Matt. 26:52?

I see the situation in Darfur today and I can’t help but ask: What should our response be? An estimated 300,000 people have died since conflict broke out between the Arab Janjaweed group and the non-Arab peoples of western Sudan in February 2003. (For more details, click here.) Thousands of children have been left orphaned, watching as their parents are tortured, raped and killed. Would we be justified to invade the Darfur region and put an end to this genocide? Some say we have the power to act, yet we choose not to, as such action would not serve our political purposes. I don’t know. I know enough to know these situations are complicated and often beyond my limited understanding. But I see the massive loss of life and the obscenity of such a great injustice and I ask: Why not? Wouldn’t this be a justified action? Is James 4:17 even relevant here?

As you can see, I have more questions than answers. I desperately want to develop a consistent ethic of human life. I want justice to roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream. More than anything, I want my faith in Christ to help shape my worldview. So there you have it. Anybody else wrestle with this same tension? How do you all reconcile all this with your faith?

Posted in Social Issues | 5 Comments

From the Left Coast

Posted on May 4, 2006 by Jason

Well, the Bybee family arrived in sunny California virtually unscathed. Thanks to a benevolent American Airlines employee, our family had the entire 28th row of our airplane to ourselves. Joshua was enthralled by the takeoff and landing; Abby Kate showed considerably less interest. But we arrived here safe and sound and I’ve temporarily lifted my self-imposed blogging fast just long enough to check-in briefly. Here, in no particular order, are my random thoughts:

* Every airplane should be required by law to offer a fully staffed nursery on each flight.

* If one more person asks my wife, “Are they twins?”, I think she might burst a blood vessel. Seriously.

* If you have twins, that’s great. Really. I’m happy for you. But do I honestly look like I care? Just because you and I have twins, that doesn’t mean I want to hear about your 29-year-old identical twins and their freaky telepathic communication (this happened to me this evening). We’re not alike. We’re not part of any “Fraternal Order of Twinhood” or anything. So stop telling me about your kids. Especially when mine are in desperate need of my attention.

* And another thing: Why do older parents feel the need to look at me and say things like, “Don’t worry. It gets better.” First of all, I didn’t ask. Secondly, if it does get better, that’s great because I’m loving right now. Don’t get me wrong…our kids have their moments, too (as noted here). But Sunny and I are truly loving this stage in our children’s lives. If it gets better, then we have a lot to look forward to.

* After finishing off Fantasyland last week, I’ve added significantly to my summer reading list. I can’t help it…I’m in love with books. While I’ve been here at Pepperdine, I think I’ve purchased 7 more, including The Politics of Jesus by Yoder, A Generous Orthodoxy by McLaren and four books in the Fleer Preaching series. I’ve already started the Yoder book and his early thoughts were congruent with Randy Harris’ afternoon lecture on The Kingdom of God and the Kingdoms of Earth. I’m looking forward to digesting this one and I’m sure some of this material will make it here. Will keep you posted.

* We had an awesome time at the Angels game Monday afternoon. We sat in right field, just inside the foul pole. Of course, Joshua was on cloud nine. We were spitting distance from Vlad Guerrero, a long-time staple of my fantasy baseball team, The Lobes. Two highlights: Guerrero smashed a two-run homer in the sixth inning (did I mention he’s on my team?), which was nice. But the highlight for us was when Vlad waved to Joshua and me as we yelled out his name. (Well, I yelled out his name. Joshua just kind of mouthed something that sounded vaguely like “ball”. Nonetheless…) I’ll be able to tell my son someday that a Hall of Famer waved at him when he was but a lad. Sweet. And for the record, I’m currently at 17 ball parks, with #18 this weekend — Petco Park in San Diego.

That’s all for now. Good night from the West Coast. Pray for the Bybee trip back east on Saturday. See you then!
JB

Posted in Kids, Sunny | 4 Comments

CAL-I-FORN-I-A

Posted on April 30, 2006 by Jason

Although I doubt this post will garner 41 comments, I wanted to let everyone know I’ll be taking a break from blogging this week. Tomorrow, Sunny and I will pack up the kids, Beverly Hillbillies style, and head off to the left coast for a week at the Pepperdine lectures. I’ve always wanted to attend and since the kids still fly free until age 2, we’re making it a family affair. So pray for us. I honestly have no idea how we’re going to make it through the airport with two strollers, two car seats, two pack & plays, two pieces of luggage, two carry-ons…and, oh yeah, two babies. I’m thinking a Benadryl per child should do the trick. (Kidding…sort of.)

While we’re there, Sunny and I are continuing our quest to see a ballgame at all 30 major league stadiums. I peaked out at 18 stadiums back in the BC days (Before Children). But new parks in San Diego, St. Louis and Philadelphia dropped me down to 15. But after catching a game at the new Busch last week, I’m back in the saddle. A Tuesday matinee between the A’s and Angels in Anaheim will put me at 16 and a Friday night date at Petco in SD gets me back to 18 (Sunny will be at 16). Again, pray for us. Our kids did OK at the Cards game, but that was due in part to a fortuitous ticket snafu. By chance, we ended up with handicapped-accessible seating, which was great for the kids. Not sure how they’ll do in regular seats.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for some good music, you should check out the new Springsteen album We Shall Overcome. An excellent disc. This album is what it would sound like if you invited the Boss over for dinner and a concert broke out in your living room. In fact, I think the album was actually recorded…in his living room. Anyway, a great album from a masterful artist. Check it out.

See ya next week!

Grace & peace….
JB

Posted in Kids, Sunny | 3 Comments

Love wins

Posted on April 26, 2006 by Jason

A recent article caught my eye: “Evangelicals claim right to intolerance”

Ruth Malhotra and Orit Sklar, students at the Georgia Institute of Technology, have filed suit demanding that the university revoke its tolerance policy regarding gay and lesbian students. It appears Malhotra considers GT’s tolerance policies an affront to her evangelical Christianity. The lawsuit is the latest controversy for Malhotra, who has locked horns with administration over this issue several times in the past. Her outspoken beliefs led her to craft a letter to Pride Alliance, a campus gay-rights group, in the fall of 2004. In the letter, Malhotra bashed Pride Alliance as a “sex club…that can’t even manage to be tasteful.” The article notes that Malhotra’s lawsuit is part of a growing campaign to force universities and workplaces to eliminate tolerance policies for gay and lesbian individuals.

This story is sure to cause a stir among conservative Christians. Homosexuality is a hot button issue in evangelical circles,
especially in light of its divisive effect on the Episcopal church. And while I believe Scripture is clear with regard to the morality of homosexuality, my heart hurts as I read this story. Aren’t Christians called to be the most tolerant people of all? I understand that we need to take a stand against sin and all, but since when do we need to take a stand against other people? Do such tactics truly embody the way of Christ?

My take? Although I can’t comment on their motives, I believe the actions of these ladies are doing far more damage than good. They are, in effect, impairing a credible witness to Christ for an entire demographic of the GT campus. A good friend of mine once said this, and it’s become something of a personal mantra for me over the past few months: I’d rather be guilty of loving too much than loving too little. It’s hard for me to see any love in the actions of Ruth Malhotra and Orit Sklar.

I can articulate a formidable doctrine, an unassailable defense of my faith, rooted in biblical truth, but if my words lack love, they are empty.

I can feed the hungry, clothe the poor and assist the afflicted, but if my motives lack love, my actions are meaningless.

Love is tolerant, love is deferential.

Love is bearing one another in all things.

Love does not argue; love never protests.

Love respects; love responds.

Love absorbs; love absolves.

Love is forgetting more and remembering less.

Love is constant.

Love is hopeful.

Love is the eternal way.

Love is the only way.

Love wins.

Posted in Devotional, Social Issues, Theology | 39 Comments

St. Louis Trip

Posted on April 25, 2006 by Jason

Yesterday, our family made one of our many annual pilgrimages to Mecca, otherwise known as St. Louis, to watch our beloved Redbirds. The difference this time: we’d be watching the Cards play in their new digs, the New Busch Stadium.

I’ve probably seen somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 games at the old Busch; Sunny’s somewhere around 20. So needless to say, it was a bit strange as we drove up to the new stadium, only to find a gigantic hole in the ground where the old stadium used to be. In fact, Sunny had to fight back tears at one point. (All right, I’ll admit, I got a little choked up, too. A lot of special memories in that place.)


But the new park was fantastic. The red brick gives the outside facade a nice, clean look. On the inside, the park resonates with all the amenities you’ll find at the newer parks. But the designers were sure to keep alive some of the Cards rich history as well. Stan the Man has been moved to a new location. The old Busch scoreboards are located in the outer vending areas. Left center offers a sweet view of the downtown arch.

Some of the highlights from our trip include:

* A nice conversation with an elderly Cards fan in Marion, IL who, upon seeing us decked out in our gear, proceeded to tell me he’s a 3rd generation Redbird fan. (The tradition seems to have been passed on to the 5th generation now. Kind of like a Biblical curse.)

* Albert Pujols’ first inning tater off Oliver Perez…and the attendant fireworks.

* The mesmerized look on my son’s face as the players tossed around the “bee-ball!!”

* Being interviewed by a Denver reporter about the rabid nature of Cardinal Nation.

* Watching Chris Carpenter pitch the Cards — and my fantasy team — to victory.

* A sneering look from our hotel desk clerk — a Chicago native…and a diehard Cubs fan. She was quick to point out that we shouldn’t underestimate the Cubbies. “They’re for real this year,” she said. Yeah right. Check back with me in July.

All in all, the hot dog was good, the park was great and the trip with the family was awesome.

Posted in Baseball, Kids | 4 Comments

Headlines

Posted on April 20, 2006 by Jason

In the spirit of Jay Leno, I give you Already & Not Yet’s first run at some funny headlines. Supposedly these are true, but you know how that goes. At any rate, they’re worth a chuckle. Enjoy!

FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER.
8 years old. Hateful little dog. Bites.

FREE PUPPIES:
1/2 Cocker Spaniel, 1/2 sneaky neighbor’s dog.

FREE PUPPIES…
Mother, AKC German Shepherd.
Father, Super Dog…able to leap tall fences in a single bound.

FOUND DIRTY WHITE DOG.
Looks like a rat. Been out a while.
Better be a reward.

COWS, CALVES: NEVER BRED.
Also 1 gay bull for sale.

NORDIC TRACK
$300 Hardly used, call Chubby.

GEORGIA PEACHES
California grown – 89 cents lb.

JOINING NUDIST COLONY!
Must sell washer and dryer $300.

WEDDING DRESS FOR SALE.
WORN ONCE BY MISTAKE.
Call Stephanie.

And the best one….

FOR SALE BY OWNER:
Complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica, 45 volumes.
Excellent condition.
$1,000 or best offer.
No longer needed, got married last month.
Wife knows everything

Posted in Humor | 2 Comments

My Summer Reading List

Posted on April 18, 2006 by Jason

As summer quickly approaches (temperatures in Huntsville have already hit 90 degrees on a few occasions!), I’m anxiously awaiting some down time from the grad school scene to be able to read a few books I’ve been wanting to read. It seems as if I always have a stack of books that I’ll get to someday. And although I still have a few books to read this summer for class (I’ll be taking two courses this summer), I’m chomping at the bit to leaf through something other than the texts I have to read. This is what I want to read, baby. So without further adieu, here is my official summer reading list for ’06:

Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel. At the behest of my good friend, Scott, this will be my first summer read. In fact, I’ve already read a couple chapters and so far, so good. Scott says it’s the best book on parenting he’s ever read and the wife and I are always looking for good parenting resources. I hope this one is as good as billed. Book report forthcoming.

Archaeology & the New Testament by John McRay and Backgrounds of Early Christianity by Everett Ferguson. Two of the books I have to read for an independent study course I’m taking. Definitely encyclopedic reading, but I can tolerate it. Besides, who among us hasn’t wondered about the topography of Thessalonica?

Fantasyland by Sam Walker. Every summer, I pick a baseball book to read through. I’m pumped because this year’s selection covers extremely familiar terrain: fantasy baseball. Walker immersed himself in the world of fanalytics and this book chronicles his season playing roto ball in the expert Tout Wars league. Got it as an Easter gift and I’ve already burned through 60 pages. I’ll have this one finished by the end of the week.

Mere Discipleship by Lee Camp. I’m anxious to delve into this one. My buddy T.H. is a student of Camp’s and he raves about him. Some of my good friends have read this one and they say it’s life-changing. Camp’s call to “radical discipleship” is sure to be challenging, but I’m up for it.

Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. We’ll be reading this one as a youth ministry staff this summer. I read this short little book years ago, but I thought it apropos to revisit it in light of our summer theme. Anything by Bonhoeffer is well worth your time.

Well, there you have it. Considering I’m a full-time youth minister, this may be a pretty ambitious reading list…I’ll keep you posted.

What’s on your reading list? Any other suggestions? Maybe I can pick up some copies of your suggestions for my summer ’07 list!

Posted in Books | 25 Comments

This Easter

Posted on April 16, 2006 by Jason

This Easter, I’m thankful for the promise of resurrection. Scripture attests, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” My prayer this Easter is that the Spirit would continue His work in me, transforming me daily into the image of Christ. May you experience the glorious riches of resurrection Life this day and everyday. God bless.

Posted in Devotional, Jesus, Theology | Leave a comment