I think next week I'll be able to send some more money as I may have extra work - The Jerk

Last week was rough. One of our elders at church has been having a rough time. A couple of months ago he went in to have an xray(?) on his back and they found an aneurysm in his abdomen and a spot on his lung. The aneurysm wasn't too terrible, but they wound up removing 1/3 of his lung and putting him on chemo therapy. He hasn't been feeling too well and has been having trouble at night. So for the next month or so Danny, Emmanuel, Aaron, and myself will be rotating out spending the nights over at Malcom's place. Malcolm is an old Texan and ACU grad so I'm hoping we can find two other people and play some 42.

A lot of my readers know our campus minister here at Clemson, and my good friend, Matt Fields. Matt's brother Heath died of leukemia Wednesday night and the funeral was Saturday. It's been a really rough week for Matt, David, Lisa, and the whole family. Keep them in your prayers.

I finally got 40 hours last week at work. It was the first time in a long long time. I took me staying until 3am Friday night moving some stuff around, but it feels good to know I won't be losing money in March.

Paul "I'm turning into Uncle Norman" Murphy

Hand-Me-Downs are good, but not for that

I love hand-me-downs. Or at least I do now because if I get clothes from my brothers its because I take them. But that's nowhere near where we're going with this post.

I don't like spending money on expensive stuff. It just doesn't make sense to me on why you would buy a car that's $32,000 when a good 2-year-old Saturn goes for $5000. They do the same job. But this isn't a Dave Ramsey post.

Sometimes its good to spend a little extra money on something. Sometimes you could really use a better quality product because of the circumstances.

In my life I've found there is only one entity that is cheaper than a Murphy; Church. Churches never like spending money (unless its on a new building). There's always some old lady/ Extra cheap Elder/ Any Member who questions the expenditures during a budget meeting, and I get that. But there are some things you shouldn't be Murphycheap on.

Missionaries always seem to get the hand-me-downs of church. Now not all missionaries, but most. Churches this year are going to be cutting back on there expenses and I guarantee that one of the first things getting cut in almost all churches is the missions budget. That's terrible. Since when did we take the Great Commission to say "Make sure your church has everything it wants then leave the rest to go into all the world..." I think its terrible that some churches take what's left over and send that to missions. It's like these men and women we ask to do the dirty work for us are having to take our left-overs; our hand-me-downs.

Case and Point. Land Rover. One thing we don't think about a whole lot in our every day life are the roads we drive on. They are maintained and built extremely well. Even if you live on a dirt road the county road grader comes by once a month to smooth out the dips. But most of us don't live in a tropical monsoon climate. Seasonal rains decimate roads in under-developed countries. Even paved roads are tough on any vehicle if the roads are built well. And considering most developing nations don't have civil engineers sitting around planning roads, even the paved roads are crap. But if any missionary ever requested $60,000 for a Land Rover its doubtful they'd get it. Or even $38,000 for a Toyota 4Runner. But until you've driven down a nasty 220 inches of rain per year dirt road, you probably don't see the reason to spend that kind of money.

Churches throw some hand-me-down at their missionaries. Its a nice thought, but in actuality its almost a slap in the face. It usually breaks down, and winds up costing more money and headache than its worth. Most cars just aren't made for that abuse. And in the end you still have to buy that Land Rover.

I know a lot of churches will be looking for places to cut costs this year. Find something creative like turning up the thermostat in the building 6 degrees to save on electricity. So what if sister Dorthy gets upset b/c she has to stand 78 degree heat during the summer. Somewhere there's a missionary without A/C in 104 degree heat that probably a little more uncomfortable then you.

Paul "It doesn't have to have leather" Murphy

You can hear it in their voice

One of the best parts of my job is how many people I get to interact with on a daily basis. Some people are jerks. Most people aren't. But my favorite people to see in the store are veterans.

Today I had a brief encounter with an older gentleman. I asked him if he wanted one of our turkey hunting fliers as he came through the door. He told me he didn't. He didn't ever want to kill anything again. And you could hear the pain in his voice.

I love it when I see an old man wearing a 82nd Airborne, Retired Navy, or Army Veteran hat. It makes me happy. I usually strike up a conversation and tell them that I like their hat/shirt/jacket. On occasion they'll check to see what I'm talking about, but most of the time they know. I assume because it means that much to them. I'll usually prod a little into some of the vagaries of their service. Most of the time we have a little conversation about their time in the military and I try to end it with thanking them and a handshake.

The conversations aren't always light and fluffy. Sometimes I strike up conversation and when I ask about their service time the tone of the conversation takes a turn. They'll get a look in their eye and have trouble keeping eye contact. Suddenly the tone and pitch of their voice will change and become nearly inaudible. You can tell that there are a lot of painful memories behind their sheepish demeanor.

Sometimes I forget the price that has been paid for our way of life, but they remind me. I don't care much for war, but I do care about the service men and women that have served and suffered for our country. If you see one of these guys walking around a store, I suggest you talk to them, and thank them too. It doesn't take much time but it always seems to mean a lot to them.

Paul "Not just a yellow ribbon magnet" Murphy

Youth Ministry vs Campus Ministry

For two years I helped Philip out in Am Sam with our church youth group. It was fun, and painful, and frustrating, and , at times, rewarding. Campus Ministry has been quite different then youth ministry.


Getting people to show up to events

Youth- Have a really cool activity planned to entice kids to show up and bring their friends. Trips are generally best.

College- Have food


Participation

Youth- Some are excited and show up before you do, and some you have to drag out of their house to go to anything

College- Some are excited and show up before you do, and some don't return your phone calls; unless you offer to go eat and pay for the food


Support

Youth- Going to school events like volleyball games and cheering them on

College- Going to a smoke filled bar and hanging out listening to their band, while drinking over-priced coke.


Games

Youth- Video games, sports, and active games

College- Really nerdy games like Risk!, and Settlers of Cataan, and food


Growth

Youth- Getting all kids to grow in their faith

College- Keep them from giving up on their faith completely and leaving


Smoking

Youth- Keep kids from starting to smoke

College- Keep kids from starting to smoke illegal drugs


Drinking

Youth- Keep kids from drinking

College- Keep kids from drinking too much


Weird People

Youth- Someone in your youth group inevitably invites the weirdest friend they have. You know. That guy that wears woman's pants and whose face looks like it came out of a tackle box.

College- I try not to be the weird friend who shows up to stuff. Maybe get a piercing or tattoo to blend in.


Paul "I may be getting a tattoo" Murphy

Something I might like if it weren't gay

What a horrible title. So there's this radio program that I sometime catch myself skipping over. It always plays the sappiest music. And there's some woman calling herself Delilah giving out romantic advice.

Now the few times I've had the misfortune of listening to this program (after I turned somebody elses car on and it was on the radio of course) people are always calling in and either requesting some sappy song for the person they love or are looking for relationship advice from this radio personality.

But last night as I was lulled into a trance by Bett Midler's "The Rose" suddenly Delilah came on and said something sappy. The next caller was brilliant. Well the caller wasn't but it made me laugh. The caller wanted a song played for the man she was completely in love with. Unfortunately for her this guy didn't want to date her, but at the same time was apparently getting jealous when she talked to other guys. She just knew this guy was the one for her. And then Delilah told her the truth. They weren't in love and they were in a terrible relationship. This guy didn't love her or want to go out with her. He just was a littl territorial. In 20 seconds she destroyed this ladies hopes and dreams.

And I laughed.

Paul "I have never nor will never make listening to 103.2 The Buzz a habit" Murphy

Famous People on Rejection and Failure

Mother Teresa- Keep in mind that our community is not composed of those who are already saints, but of those who are trying to become saints. Therefore let us be extremely patient with each other's faults and failures.

Michael Jordan- I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.

Thomas Edison- I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

Robert F. Kennedy- Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly


I'm tired of failure and rejection. In the last year or so I've been turned down for jobs as a Wal-Mart floor sweeper, college janitor, construction worker, DSS social worker, car washer, baggage handler, roto-router man, and lots more. I've been turned down to shovel crap, clean gum off the floor, and wash cars. I'm tired of this junk.

So here's my new plan. I'm only going to apply for jobs that are too good for me. That way when I get rejected I can at least feel good about it. I'm sick and tired of getting passed over for jobs that I'm over-qualified for. From now on I'm getting rejected for jobs I should be rejected for.

Paul "1st job application will be to Michael Jordan to go 1 on 1 and win" Murphy

Work Opportunity, Nashville, and Snow

So I found a really cool new job. In hopes of being able to save up enough cash for a mancation I'm going to start doing contract work for gambling associations. I have a unique ability to cause the Gamecocks to loose every game I go watch. So if you want to see the Gamecocks loose, whether for betting or rivalry purposes, pay for my travel and ticket to wherever and a nominal $250 fee for processing.

Well I went to Nashville this past weekend for a job interview and to hang out with Aimee and Josh C and other random Nashville people.

Saw a pretty good band Red Shepherd play Thursday night. I'll show them some e-love.

Went to a job interview with Youth Villages on Friday Morning. And got to see Joanna F.

Struck out with the coolest hot-dog joint in the world Friday Evening. They close at 3pm

Ate great pizza.

Played Rock band with Aimee, Kim P, Amanda D, and the Kurdish boys.

Slept in Saturday morning (it was raining and I was tired).

Went to the coolest hot dog joint in the world. They get a 9 out of 10. Best hot dogs ever.

Watched a 3D IMAX

Watched the Gamecocks get hammered by Vandy.

Drove home to teach Bible class in Clemson.

Busy weekend.

It snowed 3 inches yesterday and the it took me an hour to get home from work.


Paul "Glad I didn't run Josh's car into the ditch" Murphy