Archives for April 2009

Before you send your emails and comments and bash me for either trivilizing the gospel or glorifying Carolina basketball just go ahead and take your fingers off the keyboard.  I just want to share a cool way God spoke to me amidst the joy and chaos that was the Tar Heel Nation Celebration.

First, many are wondering:  Why, Heath?  Why did you become a Carolina fan?  Have you turned your back on everything you ever believed about “them”? Let me say, this was not an emotional decision for me.  Some may call me a “bandwagon” fan and that’s okay.  I realized how much heartache Clemson had caused me through the years.  Lots of disappointment.  Sure, there were some highs, but they were all weighed against a growing number of last second losses, unexpected defeats, and Tate George.  Know this, if we were still living in Clemson and Drake were going to be able to make his own Death Valley memories then perhaps this change wouldn’t have occured.  The fact is we live in North Carolina and I didn’t want my son’s choice of teams to be based on stuff I did when I was a kid.  I also didn’t want him to be dissapointed…year after year after year.   Sure, as UNC fans we will face our share of troubles, but they’ll come in the Elite 8 or Final 4 not in the ACC play in game(which was known as the Clemson Invitational before it was done away with).  There were lots of choices for our new team here in North Carolina, but I want to share the 3 reasons we became Tar Heels and what the church could learn from it.

1.    Carolina fans are knowledgeable about Carolina basketball.
2.    Carolina fans are passionate about Carolina basketball.
3.    Carolina fans celebrate Carolina basketball victories in a memorable way.

What if Christians were knowledgeable about Jesus?
What if Christians were passionate about Jesus?
What if Christians celebrated Jesus’ Victories in a memorable way?
I was a stranger on Franklin Street.  I didn’t know many people there.  I didn’t know their chants, cheers, and traditions.  I didn’t know why they were lighting fires.  Despite this, I was welcomed and I wanted to be a part of it because I knew it was something special.  What if we applied these concepts to new people at our church.  What if we really acted like being a Christian was the best and most exciting thing anyone could ever hope for(and you don’t have to light fires, climb trees and poles, or be completely hammered).  It wouldn’t matter if people knew the cheers, chants, songs and traditions.  They would want to share in the amazing experience.  They would not want to miss out!  I know that getting my son and I matching UNC hats is not the most important thing I will ever do, but for a lot of people in our communities, team allegiance is the only thing that is ever passed down.  Sharing our eternally victorious Savior with our community is an opportunity we can’t pass up.

In the past 15 months a few strange things have happened in my life that have led to unforgettable experiences.  First, when we moved close to Philadelphia I adopted the Philles, Eagles, Flyers, and Sixers as new teams for our family.  Obviously, I didn’t have as much invested as Philly lifers but still hurt when the Eagles lost to Cardinals this year and was overjoyed when the Phillies won it all.  I also got to experience the NY Giants Super Bowl parade last year(had a chance to go to the Phillies parade and wish I had a do over) even though I am not a Giants fan.  That was an amazing experience especially to spend the day with two lifelong Giants fans.  So, if you know me, you know that I have been a lifelong ABC’er(Anybody But Carolina).  Last night was the first time in my life that I have rooted for North Carolina.  Andy Hames said,”Heath, you went from 0-53(Clemson’s bball record in Chapel Hill) to 53-0 pretty quick.”  I may never be as passionate about UNC hoops as lifers, but I’m sure gonna enjoy the ride of winning Championships more than…well, never.  Here’s a question:  in the history of mankind have our celebrations changed at all?  We run like mad men, join a crowd, and start fires.  We almost got crushed at the corner of Franklin and Columbus, but once we were out of the mob we stayed out.  What a thrill to buy a 2009 Championship shirt hot off the presses and to have my first Tar Heel experience be on Campus with the rest of Tar Heel nation.  I didn’t know the cheers, the chants, or traditions, but I knew something special was happening and was excited just to be int he midst of it.  I think it brought joy to my friends who had been preaching the Carolina gospel to me for years that I finally converted and we got to share the moment together.  A quick aside-there will be a post about similarities between my experience and first time church visitors later.  I do feel bad for those who through injury or drunkeness or both didn’t get to enjoy the celebration.  Even with the mob, people were genuinely nice unlike other celebrations I have been a part of.  I only got three hours sleep, but I had an experience I will always remember.  And, I’m sure when Drake’s a teenager, we’ll get to share a Championship moment together.  It may not be on Franklin Street, but we plan on watching the Heels win plenty more titles.    Who knows, we may move to your town someday, and celebrate with you…unless it’s New York because we will Never Ever root for the Yankees.  Kudos to Matt Leroy, Justin Simmons, their wives, and the lovechapelhill gang for putting on a great party and letting Carolina fans new and old experience Title No. 5.

I know it’s been a few days.  Took the weekend off from running and basketball to rest.  We did walk 5 or 6 miles at the NC Zoo so that was a good workout.  Friday night, me and a 200 hundred of my closest NC East friends attending the Bobcats-Heat game in Charlotte.  It was a close game and we got to shoot on the court afterwards.  There was a game of knockout, but I missed, ok I airballed, my only 3 point attempt.  Needless to say, I was disappointed.  Saturday afternoon, I ran sound and video for a wedding.  Sunday morning services were great and we watched Rob Bell’s Everything is Spiritual video at Supernova Bible study.  During our leadership team meeting, I got a call from Karen.  She told me that the twins had both asked Jesus into their hearts!  They were talking about Easter and what it meant, and she shared her story of asking Jesus into her heart.  The girls both said they wanted to do it and they did not want to wait until daddy got home!  It’s pretty cool.  I know they don’t understand it all(hey, does anyone), but they understand what they understand.  Heading to Chapel Hill for my Tar Heel conversion tonight to watch the championship game.  Trying to find U2 tickets right this second.  Busy day.  Lots to do.  Thanks for your prayers and I’ve got to run 5 miles sometime!

Most of you know I just started training for a half marathon in June.  You can view my progress above under “The Race”.    Here’s what playing on my ipod for today’s run.  I know I need to update some of my Tunes so help me out.  What are you listening to when you exercise?

1.  Thunderstruck-AC/DC

2.  Sabotage-Beastie Boys

3.  Gonna Fly Now-The Rocky theme

4.  Born in the USA, The Rising, Working on a Dream-Bruce

5.  God of this City-Chris Tomlin

6.  Life in Technicolor-Coldplay

7.  A little less conversation-Elvis

8.  Happy Day-Fee

9.  Into the Mystic-the Once soundtrack

10.  Crazy-Gnarls Barkley

11.  Your Name High-Hillsong

12.  Hold My Hand, Go and Tell Him-Hootie live in Charleston

13.  Jump Around-House of Pain

14.  Beautiful Girl-INXS

15.  I won’t Back Down, I’ve Been Everywhere-Johnny Cash

16.  Jenny was a Friend of Mine, All these things I’ve done, Human-The Killers

17.  All I can do is write about it-Lynyrd Skynyrd

18.  Don’t Wait for Daylight, More Time, Haley-NeedtoBreathe

19.  It’s the End of the World as We know it-REM

20.  Just Me-Sevenglory

21.  Great DJ-The Ting Tings

22.  Beautiful Day, Where the Streets have no name, Stay-U2