Guest Blog: What I’ve Learned About High School in Three Years - By Cody Uhls

My son asked if he could write a piece and post it on my blog. He's my son. Could I say no? So, enjoy...

(Cody Uhls is my 17 year old son. He is finishing up his Junior year of High School at Covenant Christian High School in Indianapolis. He hopes to study law in college, has a beautiful girlfriend, and an absolutely stunning set of parents!)

What I’ve Learned About High School in Three Years...

Long, tiring, caffeine filled nights are not uncommon. Nights with six or more hours of sleep are not common. When teachers see times are hard, they tell you they’re sorry but they have to give you another hour of homework that night, piling onto the three hours you already have. What I’ve learned in three years of high school is it’s long, boring, and sometimes a big waste of time, but also full of the best experiences someone will ever have. High school, to some people, is the highlight of their entire life. Just not mine.

When I say high school is not the highlight of my life, I don’t mean it hasn’t been fun. It has. High school has been full of laughter and friends and emotional conversations. It has also been full of boring classes, long papers, and a ton of sleepless nights. In middle school, everyone wants to be in high school. Typically, in the first three years of high school, everyone just wants to be at the top of the food chain and be a senior. When you’re a senior, you just want to be in college. I’ve just wanted to be in college ever since I started high school. I always heard about the joys of college and the freedom you receive with your classes. Also, once you hit your junior year of high school, everyone starts asking if you know what you want to do or where you want to go to college. I always explain my plans for the future and my collegiate thoughts and plans as to what college I chose to attend and why (I am choosing to go to college in Florida and study Law, in case you were wondering).

On a softer note, I’ve learned teachers don’t get a ton of credit. It is hard to make tests and quizzes and grade all of them in a short amount of time. Kids are impatient. Some kids will come into school the day after the test and ask the teacher if he/she has graded the test yet. The answer 99% of the time will be no and they need to be patient and wait some time before the grading is actually finished. I’ve noticed how annoyed teachers get with those kids also. It's quite amusing at times. The Bible says not to judge and not to hate anyone, but it's hard not to judge impatient people; they’re annoying. Teachers get a lot thrown at them they don’t deserve. Most of them are really doing their best, but there is always one teacher who is really lazy and makes their “Teacher Assistant” do all of their grading and all of their work for them; I don’t have sympathy for those teachers. Those are the kind of teachers who give busy work and test over things nobody looked over. But overall, I have sympathy for teachers. They don’t deserve what people throw at them.

Some teachers are mean though. Some teachers have no sympathy for kids. Retakes are life-savers to students who don’t always get the best grades, but some teachers won’t give retakes no matter how much you beg. Sometimes kids are just having a bad day and they can’t think during the test. We all have “brain farts” every once in a while, but they still won’t give you sympathy. Also, no matter what, those teachers know every aspect of the subject; well, at least they think they do. We aren’t allowed to question them about anything or ask them about their teaching style because they are teachers and they are always right, of course. They treat you like you don’t know anything about the subject, but give you homework like you should already have a Master’s Degree in the subject. These are the kind of teachers that treat you like idiots but then say, “You should have learned this last year so I won’t go over it,” even though we have no idea what he/she is talking about. They are also the kind who are surprised with how poorly the class does on their tests because they don’t know how to teach.

Students are mean. Teachers have spent most of their lives and all of their time trying to teach a student something they are passionate about and all the students do is tell them how awful their class is and how much they can’t wait for the next break. English class is the worst for students. Reading classic literature for the quality reading doesn’t appeal to most kids. Students groan and complain about reading The Great Gatsby and The Catcher in the Rye, but if you spend time to actually read them, they are fantastic books. Most students wouldn’t know how good they are though because the grade is more important than the quality of the class. Students are mean to teachers. If the teacher moves them away from their friends, students throw tantrums like little kids. I don’t care whether I sit by my friends or not because I want to get the most out of the class, not out of my friends. Students don’t care about class, they care about what they are doing the upcoming weekend or what they did the previous weekend. No one cares about what J.D. Salinger means when Holden says, “What happens to the ducks during winter?” in The Catcher in the Rye.

Also, students are immature. Why do they scream in the hallways? No one cares if you haven’t seen your best friend since Friday; there’s no reason to be screaming to them and telling them how much you’ve missed them. They also scream during the passing period to their friends across the hall. I want to smack them, but I resist.

Three years may sound like a long time, but these three years have flown by. I will be a senior this fall and part of me thinks I am ready to be a senior then to move on to college. The idea of being on my own is a scary, fascinating, and heartbreaking idea. Scary because I don’t know what the future holds, fascinating because I get to start a new adventure, and heartbreaking because I have to let go of my youth. I think I am ready though. I wrote this to give whomever may read this a glimpse into the life of a teenager at school. Hopefully this was a little humorous and enjoyable. School isn’t always awful, but I took a very cynical stance on it. Maybe if you enjoy reading this I can write another about the joys of high school some time soon. But until next time, thanks.

Gay Apocalypse?

Awhile back, a friend of mine were discussing the issue of homosexuality as it relates to the Bible. He asked me my thoughts on a passage in the Gospel of Luke, specifically, Luke 17:34-35. I admitted that it was not a passage I was familiar with, at least in terms of the gay issue, and I promised I would research it and give him my thoughts. After a few weeks of study, that response is below.

I encourage you, first, to read this article. It was an article my friend sent me regarding the issue. It's interesting, to say the least. Later, in my response, there is a link to another article, one of many I found refuting the claims of the first article. Specifically, it breaks down the terms in the passage regarding the original Greek texts. I encourage you to read that article too.

Anyway, here is my response....

I didn’t want you to think that I forgot about your request that I check into the passage of Luke where you assert homosexuality is mentioned. I’ve researched it, and here’s what I’ve found. This is lengthy, but I hope you’ll take the time to read through it.

First, I wondered why I’d never heard of this passage before. I’ve read through the gospels many times, and one would think that with my study of homosexuality as it pertains to Scripture, I would surely have noticed this passage. But I hadn’t.

The reason, it turns out, is simple… I’ve never read through the Gospels using the King James Version. I’ve always used, primarily, either the NIV or the NASB versions. It is only the KJV, as translated in English, that gives the idea of homosexuality in this verse. Here are the three different versions.

KJV: 34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

NIV: 34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” (Verse 36 is omitted in some versions.)

NASB: 34 I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left. 36 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.”

As you can see, there are subtle, yet distinct differences in the versions. So to get a clearer understanding, you have to dig a little deeper. Before I get to the original greek writings, let’s look at a couple other things.

The idea of context, as noted in the link you gave me, is important, but I think you have to look at it in a broader sense (which has been one of my arguments against those who claim I just “cherry pick” the verses I want to follow.) It is not only vital to understand the context of the entire chapter or passage containing a particular verse, it is also vital to understand the entire context of the Bible as a whole.

The Bible isn’t just a book of laws, or a good book of principles to live by. It is also a comprehensive history book. The Bible is an account of God’s creation, from start to finish. It shows the history of every way he’s interacted His people since the beginning of time, and how He moved within each culture, and everything He did preparing us for the saving grace of Jesus and beyond. It’s filled with many great twists and turns over time but has a central theme throughout. When one reads the book from start to finish, and views it as a whole piece, one will begin to understand that it is not contradictory of itself. But it is also definitely true that by showing the history of mankind, we see that over time, cultures change, values change, and certain rules and regulations change. But it is important to remember that those changes always came from God and/or Jesus. The basic rules and precepts we live by were never just changed by some random guy. It was always Jesus who said something like, “I know our forefathers told you this… but now I tell you this…” Or something of that nature.

Laws enacted by various governments throughout time have changed, but the basic rules and precepts given by God usually did not.

Which is important to understand and remember when we look at things like, say, the stoning of an adulteress in Deuteronomy. That was a law that was handed down for a particular purpose, with particular reasons, for a particular culture at a particular place in time. When Jesus later pardons an adulteress centuries later, it’s not a contradictory action, but rather Jesus fulfilling centuries of prophecy that showed ancient rules and regulations were no longer needed in light of Jesus’ own saving grace. His pardon can by no means be misconstrued as an endorsement of adultery, (He didn’t all of the sudden make adultery legal, as it were) but rather shows that such drastic punishment is no longer needed as we can find forgiveness and grace and salvation in Jesus. (As an aside, it is also important to note that even as Jesus pardoned the young adulteress and shamed her accusers, He tells her to go and, “Sin no more.” — an admonition He would make of almost everyone he pardoned or healed.)

This is why the argument that claims that if I still believe homosexuality is a sin, then I must still believe that we should stone adulterers, or own slaves, or wear purple, or any other such nonsense is just that: nonsense. Those precepts were put in place for a particular time and place and purpose. Moreover, it presumes, in some way that doesn’t exist, that God or Jesus came along somewhere and somehow began condoning homosexuality, and that simple is not the case.

From start to finish, nowhere in the Bible is homosexuality condoned. NEVER is it spoken of in a good light. Not once. Not ever. Moreover, when it IS mentioned, it is almost always mentioned in the context of a myriad of other sins, among them murder and thievery. That’s an awful slippery slope when trying to justify it as something with which God is OK.

Which brings us back to the passage you sent. Contextually speaking, we must remember that the Gospels are, more or less, the same account of events as seen through the eyes of four different men. Which means that often, an event that is listed in one Gospel can also be found in another Gospel. That is true of this account.

The same conversation is mentioned in Matthew 24:40-42. For our purposes, I’ll just list the NIV version:

40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

Again, here, the subtle, yet distinct differences. To read this, no one can see any hint of homosexuality. The “context” here, as it were, as well as in the Luke passage is not one of homosexuality, but rather the idea of the suddenness of Jesus’ return at the rapture. Moreover, the idea that none of us will know the actual time and date of His return.

Both passages mention the story of Noah, and the sudden destruction of the flood, and the idea that most people were totally unprepared for it. Only Luke mentions the destruction of Sodom, but the context, again, is not homosexuality, rather the suddenness of the destruction of the city. One can even picture the imagery of Lot’s wife being instantly turned into a pillar of salt for her disobedience.

So we’re left to look at things logically. What makes more sense? That Luke is relating a passage about homosexuality that is totally and 100% contradictory to every other passage about homosexuality in the Bible, a book that nowhere else contradicts itself? Or rather, that Luke and Matthew are both relating a story about the impending suddenness of Jesus’ return, a concept that is in no way contradictory to solid Biblical doctrine? You’re a logical man: Which is easier to believe?

Finally, to break down the actual Greek translation of the Luke passage, I’ll in turn give you a link to an article (one of many, I might add) I found that totally refutes the assertions made in the article you gave me. I’ll let you read it yourself. There’s no need for me to try to rehash it when this article breaks it down pretty well.

In the end, it’s important to remember that lots of good people aren’t going to Heaven. That’s not my judgment, that’s simple, Biblical fact. The story of the Sheep and the Goats in the Bible (Matthew 25:31-46) is proof of that. I know you know a lot of good gay people. I do to. But the truth is that I know tons of “good people,” gay AND straight, who are not Biblical believers. In my interpretation of the Bible, there is ONE way to Heaven, and that’s through Jesus. And if we are followers of Jesus, I believe we have to follow the Bible, and all it contains.

I’m not perfect, and I’m a sinner. But I have saving grace through Jesus. I ask forgiveness, and I repent of my sin, and it is that repentance that is distinctive. To say I’m a sinner just the same as any homosexual is true. But because of my repentance, and my desire to TURN AWAY from those sins the best I can, and try to “sin no more,” and that it is in my heart to live right and not continue in sin is what separates me from someone who is not willing to turn away from their sin.

I know this can lead to a whole other discussion about homosexuality as a choice, or it’s biological origins, or whether a gay man can be “delivered” or “cured,” etc. But we’ll leave that to another day.

Would I DJ the Wedding?

So, somewhere through the whole passing, and then virtual rescinding, of Indiana's Religious Freedom bill, someone asked me if I would actually DJ a wedding for a gay couple if asked.

The answer, just to get to the point, is yes, I would.

You see, the problem isn't whether or not I agree with a Christian business owner's decision to deny service to someone on the basis of their religious beliefs, but rather, whether or not I believe the Christian business owner has the RIGHT to deny said services.

And on that note, I absolutely think the Christian business owner -- or any other business owner, for that matter -- has that right.

I do not believe in discrimination, but I do believe business owners reserve the right to give or deny services to others based on their religious beliefs. I ESPECIALLY don't believe the government should have the right to force a business owner to serve individuals against their beliefs.

The bigger picture is that I believe a business owner has the right to operate his or her business however he or she so chooses. It's their money on the line. It's their reputation on the line. It's their business. They should be allowed to do whatever they want, even if it's wrong. I don't support discrimination, but should a business owner choose to do so, as a famous comedian once said, "They have the right to be stupid and wrong!"

As for me, there's several reasons I would serve a gay wedding reception.

First, at the end of the day, it's just a job. It's work. Jesus was a carpenter, and the Apostle Paul was a tent maker. There's no indication in the Bible that either of them ever denied service to anyone who wasn't a Christian. We can't say for sure, but I don't think, given what we know of their personalities, that they would turn away any opportunity to make a living.

Second, my performing a gay wedding reception is akin to Jesus sitting with the tax collectors. Jesus, while steadfastly holding to Biblical principles, did not shy away from fraternizing with those who didn't share his same beliefs. There are many examples in the Bible of Jesus meeting with and fellowshipping with others who weren't following God. Most often, He did so in an effort to minister to them, and at other times, He did it as an example to others around Him. In either case, He didn't hide himself away in a box so as to never mingle with those who didn't believe in Him.

Third, as His first miracle, Jesus himself changed water into wine at wedding just to keep the party going. He was actually somewhat annoyed at the request, if you read the account in John, Chapter 2. But He did it anyway. Why? Well, according to the account, it wasn't so people could just get more drunk. Rather, it was to show His power, and, again, if you read the account, there seems to be some motivation in it to make the groom look good. Regardless, I think it's reasonable to assume that not everyone at the wedding were believers (although I can't say that with all certainty.) But it's clear there was some big drinking going on at the wedding, and even in those days, over-drinking was somewhat frowned upon, so we can reasonably assume that not all the guests were strict Jesus-followers. At the very least, it was Jesus just doing whatever He could to help out. At the most, it was a miraculous show of Jesus's power.

Fourth -- and this is, in my opinion, the most important point -- if I were to deny DJing for a gay wedding, then I would need to deny the same to any non-Christian couple that comes my way. This is where the idea of "picking and choosing" Scriptures comes into play. As I've tried to explain on many occasions, I do not see homosexuality as some sort of "super-sin," or some unforgivable sin that is different from all other sin.

No, homosexuality, in my opinion and interpretation of the Bible, is a sin like all others: Repentable and forgivable. It's not different from any other sin, no worse and no better. If I were to deny service to a gay couple because I believe their lifestyle to be sinful, then I have to deny service to anyone who doesn't follow Jesus, no matter what sin I think they harbor. If I'm going to build a wall, I have to build it with bricks.

Otherwise, I'm a hypocrite.

Now, please don't allow this to devolve into a discussion about judging. I've already covered that in a previous post, and besides, that's not the issue here. In this case, I've already made up my mind as to whether I believe their lifestyle conflicts with my beliefs. The question, then, becomes whether or not I should go ahead and perform the service.

I do not believe we, as Christians, are called to shun anyone, even if they aren't believers. We are indeed called to love our neighbors, and I believe there's great value in showing love, compassion and acceptance to others.

However, I do believe there are lines that shouldn't be crossed. The Bible clearly states that we, as Christians, have to be "in" the world, but that we shouldn't be "of" the world.

I have left parties early, and refused to play others altogether, where underage drinking was allowed and/or prevalent. Underage drinking is not only dangerous, but against the law, and being a party to it is potentially damaging to me and my business, my being equally liable for the delinquency were the party to be raided by the police. So I've walked out on them, and it is now my policy to refuse any party where I know underage drinking will take place. For that matter -- though I don't have another concrete example of this happening -- I would refuse to play for any gathering where I was aware beforehand of any illegal activity taking place.

Believe me when I tell you I've played for lots of parties that didn't necessarily jive with my religious beliefs. While not illegal, I've witnessed some pretty sketchy activity at shows I've performed. Be thankful I spare you the details.

I have no problem with a church, or a minister, denying to perform the wedding of a gay couple. I've seen ministers refuse to perform a wedding for a wide range of reasons, not the least of which was the couple was gay. And I have no problem with it. And yes, without boring you with the details here (maybe another blog?) I do think there's a difference between a minister who refuses to marry a gay couple, and my refusing to perform at their reception.

And still I believe it would be my RIGHT to refuse the service, just as it would be the right of others to boycott my business if they don't agree with my stance.

In the absence of that right, what's to stop non-Christians from forcing Chick-Fil-A from opening on Sundays, since their reason for being closed is their religious belief of not working on Sundays?

What's to stop churches from being forced to allow non-believers into their membership? What's to stop a Jewish deli from being forced to serve a bacon sandwich? What's to stop Christian book stores from being forced to sell pornography? You may think that's extreme, but if you can provide an adequate difference between those scenarios and a bakery being forced to make a wedding cake for a gay couple, I'm all ears.

At the end of the day, I would DJ the reception. Heck, I might even sing at the wedding, if asked, which probably would never happen. I would do so because I would think it would be the right thing to do, and a good way to show God' love.

I can tell you this though, if I felt differently, I wouldn't simply refuse the service and tell the news about it. But you can bet your booties I'd already be booked that day!

The Religious Freedom Bill

As you know, Indiana is about to pass the Religious Freedom bill, a law that is designed to allow business owners the right to deny service to someone based on their religious beliefs.

The bill, as you also know, has caused quite a stir amongst the masses, with most people falling along three main reactions:

1) Totally agree with it. It's about time.

2) Totally disagree with it. Christians are a bunch of bigots and haters and phobes.

3) Agree with it in principal, but think it's bad press for Christians. Aren't we supposed to just love and accept everybody?

That's about it. You might find you fall somewhere in between those lines, but in general, that has been the response.

So, I'd like to weigh in.

Problem #1 is this: It is sad, in my opinion, that the need for this law even exists. One would think religious freedom would be covered under the 1st Amendment, and that would be enough. Sadly, in today's world, and certainly in the eyes of our government and judicial systems, it is not.

Religious freedoms -- particularly those of Christians -- are being trampled daily. Take a stand for Jesus in public, and the ridicule comes from all sides. Take a stand for Jesus in your business, and you face a lawsuit.

Problem #2 is this: This bill -- in the eyes of the non-believing public -- does indeed make Christians look bad. It makes us look like hate-mongers who want shun everybody who doesn't think like we do. It's not true, of course, but the media is never going to tell you that.

A good friend of mine wrote these comments on my FB wall: "Do you think the PR created by this kerfuffle is reflecting well or poorly on Christians and Christianity? How's our light shining right now? How are outside businesses regarding Indiana and the passing of this bill? Does the passing of the bill and it's "protections" that is claims to offer make it all worth it?"

Those are good questions to ask, and valid concerns for the Christian community. And I'll admit, I don't have great answers for them, except to say that the reality is that Christians rarely get good PR for anything in the media, even when they do something good, which is far more often than not. In the end, we have to take a stand for what we believe is right, and hope we get it right.

Problem #3 is this: This bill does indeed open the door to some potentially damaging behavior. There are some fringe nuts out there who will abuse this law. But there are a few things to remember... There are ALWAYS people who abuse certain laws, no matter what they are. Laws that are already in place are being abused by those who simply choose not to conform to civilized society. Non-discrimination laws get abused everyday.

Also, we must remember that this law doesn't just affect Christians. It affects ALL religions. So why people have chosen to single out Christianity as it relates to this law is beyond me. Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and Christians all alike are protected under this bill.

Problem #4 is this: Please explain to me how this bill is any different from "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service."? What if a poor, black, gay man who can't afford shirts and shoes wants a hamburger?

Problem #5 is this: None of the opponents of this bill are shedding a tear for the bakery owner that lost their business and has had their lives ruined because they refused to make a cake for a gay couple. In a town where there's probably 20 bakeries, that couple singled out this Christian owner, and ruined their lives. Nobody is crying for the countless other Christian owners in this country who are right now facing the same perils, not because they are discriminating, but because they took a stand for Jesus. There's a term -- it's called "reverse-discrimination" -- and it happens daily to Christians in this country. This bill doesn't condone discrimination, but it does indeed provide protection to those owners who have a valid religious concern from being unduly and unfairly prosecuted for taking a religious stance. Was it wrong for that Christian baker to refuse that cake? Perhaps. Should they be punished? Perhaps? Do they deserve to lose their business, face millions in fines, and have their livelihood taken away? Absolutely not!

Problem #6 is this: The perceived discrimination many claim this bill will cause is just that: Perceived! Made-Up, Potential, Possible, etc. It's not real, at least not in the terms in which it has been portrayed the media and the bill's opponents. It's not happening, and to any great degree, it's not going to happen. 99.9% of the people who opposed this bill will NEVER suffer any ill effects from this bill. Why I know this is Problem #7.

Problem #7 is this: The media and the bill's opponents are totally ignoring the massive good and humanitarian help that is initiated, operated and supported by Christians in this world on a daily basis! It is estimated by studies I've seen that the vast majority of the civic charities in this country are either run by, or at least have their roots in, some sort of Christian outreach.

Name me one food bank you know of that isn't run by some sort of Christian organization. Name me one suicide prevention organization that isn't Christian backed. Virtually every civic organization, outreach program and needy supply charity out there are Christian-based, Christian-run, or their membership is chocked full of Christians!

Worldwide missions programs are run by Christians! Islam isn't reaching out the the hungry and deprived of the world. They're not building free hospitals in Zimbabwe, or even in the ghetto suburbs of Chicago! Only Christians are doing that. Indeed, most hospitals in this country have some sort of Christian base behind them.

Muslims aren't running suicide-prevention hotlines. Buddhists aren't helping young women with unplanned pregnancies. Pagans aren't out there on the streets trying to feed the homeless!

The Red-Cross, Salvation Army, United Way, Boys & Girls Clubs, Kiwanis, and thousands of other charities across the globe -- all started and/or run by Christians!

So it pains me to hear so many people rise up and claim that the first thing Christians are going to do under this law is start discriminating against others. It pains me to hear that Christians are not "loving" and "accepting" of others. It pains me to hear that people think this bill will cause Christians to turn their backs on people in need. Because history has shown, and continues to show, that for real Christians, the exact opposite is true.

No, it isn't happening, it isn't going to happen, and I believe the attempts to block this bill have little to do with protecting people's rights, and more to do with attempts to force others to further capitulate to a liberal agenda. I've said it before: Disagreement is not only disallowed, but outright support and accommodation is demanded. And if those demands aren't met, you face judicial punishment in the form of any number of lawsuits.

Just as I believe that my right to own a gun trumps any attempts to outlaw that right under the perception that I might one day choose to act unlawfully with it, I also believe religious freedom, and the rights of business owners to run their businesses as they please, trumps any "perceived" persecution or discrimination.

We have a moral obligation, I believe, as citizens to help protect the rights of others. And that includes the basic instinct to make sure others are not discriminated against unduly, for unjust reasons. But we also cannot trample on the basic rights of others because of the "possibility" that someone might act unlawfully.

Moreover, while it is incumbent upon us Christians to show God's love and the redemptive grace of Jesus to everyone we can, we must also do so while taking a stand for the convictions on which we base our faith. If we violate those convictions, and the truth of the Bible, just to accommodate someone's feelings or whims (or their money!), then how can we ever expect anyone to take our faith in Jesus seriously? Is our faith only valid as long as it doesn't offend the next guy?

The bill, of course, may die a financial death. Money, unfortunately, usually trumps everything else, and if the people and representatives of Indiana see that this will cost them money, that may do it in. And you can bet on this: the bill, if implemented properly, will most assuredly hurt those who abuse it. It won't take long for word to get around about those who are snubbing customers out of pure bigotry. Those who DO abuse the law will pay a steep price for doing so.

In the end, this law will meet the fate of the voters, because that is how it was birthed. There is a reason our Generally Assembly in Indiana is vastly majority Republican. That's because they were voted in that way by the people of Indiana. And there was no chicanery here regarding this bill. This is a bill that their constituents wanted and supported, and was passed legally. If what I've heard on the news is true -- that the vast majority of Indiana residents oppose this -- then I suppose they will vote differently for their representatives next time, and eventually this law will see its demise.

As for me, I will protect and stand for my religious beliefs -- and my religious freedom -- at all costs.

Dr. Foster: Goodbye to a Friend.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of once again serving as the emcee for the Mooresville Spotlighter Show Choir Invitational. It was my 23rd year serving in that capacity.

In the interest of full disclosure, I don't mind telling you that it's a pretty good payday for me, and worth the almost 15 hour day I put into it each year.

But that's only one of the reasons I keep going back. The other reason is because it's fun. It's fun because the kids make it fun. If you're not familiar with high school show choir, you should take the time to go see a show sometime. It's 20 minutes of high school kids giving all they've got to sing and dance and put on a good show. At an invitational, you might get to see anywhere from 15 or 20 shows like that throughout the day.

In the downtime between the choir performances, its my job to keep the crowd entertained, and for the most part, this just involves me having fun with a bunch of teenagers; teenagers, in this setting, who aren't interested in getting in trouble or bothering anybody, but rather, just looking to have a good time. Their unbridled teenage joy is intoxicating in a way. I enjoy it very much, and apparently, they enjoy me, because they keep asking me to come back year after year.

But yesterday took a sad turn for me, as I learned early in the morning about the passing of a dear friend of my family, Dr. Julia Foster.

Most of you didn't know Dr. Foster, and yet what you also probably didn't know is that she has impacted your lives almost as much as she impacted ours. That's because she helped save my son's life.

If you've ever met my son Cody, then you know what a cool, vibrant, handsome and talented young man he is, and I can tell you that were it not for Dr. Foster, and her love, her devotion, her knowledge, and her compassion, you might never have had the pleasure of knowing my son.

You see, Cody was born 11 weeks premature. Some of you know that, but others might not. My wife's water broke when she was 26 weeks into her pregnancy, and Cody was born via C-Section at 29 weeks. He was immediately placed into the Pediatric ICU at IU Hospital, where he would remain for the next eight weeks.

Again, in the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you that Cody, at such a young age, was relatively healthy, at least in contrast to the complications he could have faced with such a premature birth. But he was little and his tiny lungs were frighteningly fragile. At 2.7 ounces, his little body fit into the palm of our hands, and we would give him baths in a cereal bowl. The tiny bear his older brother bought for him from the hospital gift shop was bigger than he was and dwarfed him in his incubator.

Dr. Foster was the head pediatric doctor in charge of the ICU. We obviously were introduced to her right away, and she immediately provided a calmness to us that would remain constant throughout the next several weeks.

If you've ever had a premature baby, especially one as small as Cody, then you know that the first several weeks in the life of a baby that tiny is a daily physical roller coaster ride for the baby, and an equally emotional one for the parents. The well-being of the baby can change literally from hour to hour, day to day. We could leave him one night doing so well, only to arrive the next morning to new complications. Hurdles you thought you'd jumped and left behind can be met with new ones only hours later.

Each day was an emotional battle doing all you can do help, and yet ultimately feeling absolutely helpless as you watch the physical battle the baby goes through everyday.

At that time, almost 18 years ago, Dr. Foster was a very young (although she would coyly dismiss my questions about her age) and very pretty single woman, but she carried herself with a professionalism that instantly set you at ease. And she immediately was able to help you understand that she knew what she was doing, and that she wanted our baby to be healthy every bit as much as we did.

Every day should she would hold our hands -- often literally -- and explain what Cody was going through at that moment, and what the plan was going to be to get him through that day. Every day was different from the next, and so each day's plan was usually specific to that day. And each time there were options available, she would ask us what we wanted to do, to which we almost always replied, "Whatever you think we should do."

I remember one day, early on, she was explaining a couple of different options for treatment that day. I finally broke down, and I said simply, "Dr., we have no choice but to trust you and your judgment, and to put his life into your hands. I am just a guitar player. I have no option but to trust that you can help save our baby's life."

I remember she teared up a bit at that. Not because it scared her, but because she honestly cared for and loved Cody as much as we did, and she understood in a way very few others could our fear and our feelings of hopelessness. Together, she led Ginger and I through one of the toughest stretches of our lives.

Through it all she was calm, and compassionate, and loving, and her skill was unmatched. With her holding our hands throughout, it was as though we simply willed Cody to grow, and breathe on his own and eventually gain enough health and strength to come home with us where he belonged.

Later, even for a couple of years after, we would invite her, and she would come, to Cody's birthday parties, and our older son's, Cory's, too. During Cody's time in the NiCu unit, she got to know older brother Cory too, and would even take the time to help Cory get to see and spend time with his little brother. She became much more than a doctor to us. She became a member of our family.

As life would have it, as Cody grew older, we drifted apart from Dr. Foster. When Cody was 12 or 13, we had occasion to go to IU Hospital, and we stopped by her office to see her. She recognized me immediately, and was astonished at how Cody had grown. She hadn't aged a day, still as pretty and caring as always. We found out she'd married, the lucky bloke! But she'd decided to continue to stay with the Dr. Foster name, simply because that's how we all knew her. We also found out her and her husband had moved to a house just a few doors away from where my Mom now lives. We promised to visit sometime.

We never did.

Isn't that always the way? Thinking you've got another day somewhere down the road to do something you really ought to do today?

Yesterday, while I was at the Show Choir Invitational, I found out she'd passed away from a very sudden brain tumor. She was 50 years old. Her memorial service was being held that very day at a nearby church. I immediately informed Ginger, and she told Cody, and they paid a visit. They met her Mom and Dad and siblings, told them Cody's story, and thanked them for the role their daughter played in Cody's life. And ours. I cried a few tears, I must admit. Because she is so dear to me, and because I couldn't go say goodbye.

To this day, I can't imagine anyone who could have helped us more through those scary days than Dr. Julia Foster. And in the past 24 hours, I've been thinking about her a lot.

And you know, something kinda crossed my mind today. Back in those days, I did the best I could to keep things light. You know, cracking jokes every now and then, being silly, sharing my goofy idiosyncrasies. There were times, I think, when Dr. Foster thought me a little odd, which, quite frankly, has happened with a lot of people who know me. Heck, my own Mom still thinks I'm a little odd. Every now and then, even when she didn't quite know how to take me, she would still get a little smile on her face when we'd interact. And I think she loved my family as much we loved her.

And yesterday, while I was sad I couldn't go to her service, I think perhaps I was where I should have been. Where she probably would rather me have been. Not mourning her, but enjoying myself, having a good time with a bunch of kids. For someone who spent her life saving kid's lives, maybe me helping brighten some teenagers' day honors her more proper.

Yeah, I think she would have liked that.

...More things that bother me! Final Chapter.

OK... so some friends said they can't wait for the next twenty, so I felt I would oblige.

Before I do, let me say that my next blog will be the top 20 things that make me happy. Only seems fair.

So here we go... and remember, they're in no particular order.

21) I am white. I'm not German-American. Most black people I know are OK with just being black. They're not African-Americans. In fact, they don't even know anyone who's African-American. The only African's I've ever met are just African. They're still black, but they're African. Can we all just get over it?

22) Stop blaming your problems on everyone else. If you're a jerk, it's not because you were neglected, or abused, or you have some chemical imbalance. It's because you're a jerk.

23) Spank your kids every now and then... when they need it, and properly. First, they'll live. Second, you'll live. Third, they will grow up to be nice and respectful, rather than buttfaces. Fourth, stop worrying about what your neighbors will think when you spank your kids. Fifth, stop butting your nose into your neighbors family when they spank their children.

24) Yes, give me a spoon in a restaurant. I can't eat mashed potatoes and gravy with a fork.

25) Legal advice from the movie, Liar Liar. "Stop breaking the law, #@%#hole!"

26) All NBA players were top notch college players just a few years ago. So stop pretending you hate pro basketball and only like college. All those Kentucky players you love so much this year will be in the NBA in the next year or so. (And as another aside, stop saying you dislike pro sports because of free agency. College rosters turn over every year!)

27) Stop griping about the money pro athletes make. They generate billions of dollars in revenue for lots of people every year, and provide entertainment to millions. Besides, they wouldn't make so much money if you didn't buy their tickets and jerseys and $9 beers. It's your fault. Not theirs.

28) There is only ONE way to fix education today. Hire more teachers and pay them more money. NOTHING else will work. All the testing, football fields, technology, core curriculums and breakfasts aren't even band-aids. They're makeup. Take the time to tell your congressman that.

29) Why can't I just watch a TV show? I don't need some numbskull hashtag flashed on the screen every two minutes. (Who has the time to keep coming up with this crap?)

30) Imagine the good you could do in this world if you focused your energy on something other than saving chickens, bats and whales. Please...

31) Cats.

32) You CAN have a good time without drinking alcohol. My wife and I enjoy our lives every day. If you think you can't get together with your friends without drinking something, the problem is you. Maybe you're just dull.

33) Alcohol is an intensifier. If you're a jerk when you drink, it's because you're a jerk.

34) If you die at a young age doing what you love, you're still dead. There's no glory in dying while mountain climbing. You're only legacy is leaving behind a family who loved you very much.

35) If your son attacks a police officer and he gets shot for doing it, it's your son's fault.

36) Stop hiding because you're afraid of offending someone. Speak up and take a stand every now and then. You may tick off someone along the way, but you will also gain some respect. Read Joshua 24:15.

37) Not every kid deserves a trophy. Teach your kids to work hard and earn something. You're not helping them. You're crippling them.

38) If a woman decides to stay home and take care of her family, she's not less of a woman. In fact, a case could be made that she's more of a woman. Sometimes women can think for themselves, and make intelligent adult decisions about their own lives. It doesn't mean she's being held down, held back, or abused.

39) Every time someone criticizes your stupid behavior, it doesn't mean they're "judging" you. It means you did something stupid.

40) Cubs fans.

And one more to grow on) People who complain all the time... [Wink, wink!]

Random Things that Bother Me: A lot!

As you know, I can have strong opinions on things. But usually, I don't write something down until it is a subject that I feel requires quite a bit of discussion, and then I weigh in.

But there's lots of little things that bug me that really don't warrant whole articles, or even marginal rants. So I've decided to compile a simple list of things that bother me. They bother me a lot, actually, but probably only need a sentence or two to explain. Maybe they're more like pet peeves. And maybe you'll agree with some or all. Maybe you won't.

I will say, as a matter of preface, that many of these revolve around the news. Specifically, TV news. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

There's more than 20, to be sure. But 20 is enough. So here we go.

1) Much in the same way we don't need to see a weatherman standing out in the snow to tell us it's snowing, I hate it when a reporter goes "live at the scene" when there's nothing at the scene going on. For example, when someone is going to be arraigned at the court house later in the day, I don't need the reporter telling the story to be standing in front of a closed court house at 6 in the morning. They could tell me the story from the studio and it would still make sense. Go to the court house when the criminal is there and something is happening, not before.

2) I don't care about some kid in elementary school in Iowa. Doesn't affect me here in Indiana. If that's all the news you have, lop off one of the 6 hours you're on the air.

3) Since when did tweets and Facebook posts from random viewers become relevant to the story? You've seen them. "Jim Irsay was busted for DUI today. Here's what some of our viewers had to say." I don't give a crap about what Joe Smith thinks about Jim Irsay. For that matter, I don't care what LeBron James thinks about it either.

4) Why can't they make windshield wipers that work in the Wintertime? Didn't we have the technology to send some guy to the moon nearly 50 years ago? Surely, some of that technology can be transferred to a usable, functional wintertime windshield wiper.

5) What right to any of us have to care about what kind of commercial a particular company airs? In light of the Super Bowl, you didn't like Nationwide's downer ad? Who cares? You think Mt. Dew's drink ad was funny? Great. You didn't like McDonald's ads with all the different signs? So what? Turn the channel, buy they drink, don't go to McDonalds. NO ONE Cares!

6) You don't like what I post on MY Facebook page, post your opinion if you want to or don't read it. I'm not bothered by it one way or another. If I post something on your Facebook page disagreeing with your views, and you don't like it? Then don't post stupid stuff you don't want people's opinions on.

7) Norm Macdonald said it best when he said, "Back in the old days, they only had 30 minutes of news every night.... Turns out, they had it about right!" I don't need to see the same stuff over again every half hour for 4 hours. 30 minutes once will just about cover it.

8) It snows in the wintertime here in Indiana, and it gets hot in the Summer. Stop pretending it's newsworthy.

9) Ellen is not a hero. She's a talk-show host. And a funny comedienne. Same with Oprah, except she's not funny. They both do nice things for people. Good for them.

10) Stop asking sports figures "How they feel?" The answer is always the same. If they won, they feel great, and if they lost, they feel like crap. A very good writer, Paul Daugherty, of the Cincinnati Enquirer, said it best. "Truth is, lots of players either have nothing enlightening to say, or choose not to say it. Fine. I'm a writer. I get paid for my words to be better than theirs. Quotes are highly overrated." He's right. Athletes are paid to play, not talk. Writers are paid to write, not play. Write the story, OK? We know how the player feels.

11) Stop asking the criminal as he's escorted by in handcuffs by authorities, "Did you kill that little girl?" or "Did you intentionally blow up that house?" They're not going to answer that question. Has anyone ever said, "Yeah I killed her, so what?" They NEVER have, and they're never going to. It's stupid and makes you look silly.

12) Reality television is not real, in any sense of the word. It's a TELEVISION show. Period, and only designed and scripted to attract advertisers viewers. There is nothing about American Idol or Honey Boo Boo that isn't fixed. Oh sure, they might be interesting people, but the show is scripted, as is most usually the outcome. It's like pro wrestling... they're really flying off the top ring, but the winner is pre-determined.

13) Yield signs mean yield. That's why they're different from Stop signs. (On a side note, Roundabouts are NOT dangerous. They're wonderful. What's dangerous is dopey drivers who don't know what a Yield sign means.)

14) Why does our legislature care if one guy in Angola owns a Bengal tiger when kids get their faces ripped off by Pitbulls and Rottweilers every day?

15) If you own a Pitbull, stop trying to convince everyone they're not dangerous. They are. Get over it. There are no stories on the news about Poodles killing little kids.

16) Christians aren't blowing up airplanes. Or subways. Or embassies. Or chopping off innocent people's heads. Ain't happening. We all know who is.

17) Why is it the weatherman can tell me two weeks in advance that its going to snow, but when the storm actually arrives, they have no clue on how much snow we'll get?

18) Learn how to use the internet, and specifically, email. It's not that hard.

19) More people like mashed potatoes and mac and cheese than do sprouts and vegetables. It's not my fault, it's the way it is. And they like chocolate chip cookies better than oatmeal raisin. I'm sorry, but it's the truth. Keep this in mind the next time you're planning a big party.

20) Twitter is stupid. There, I said it.

And one to grow on) When we were little kids, we were taught that sticks and stones may break our bones, but words could never harm us. It's true. It's time we all grow up.