Ev-olution

New Blog Location

2009-04-21T16:25:00.001-04:00

My blog has moved. www.everettbracken.com

TOMS Shoes

2009-04-13T16:02:00.003-04:00

TOMS Shoes is perhaps my favorite company in the world. I love Apple because they have incredible products. I love Nike because I am a sports-a-holic. But I love TOMS Shoes because they are good. I'm not talking about the products (although they are good too); I am talking about the people and the business plan. For every pair of shoes they sell, they give one away to kids who don't have shoes. One for one. Check them out, and consider doing their "One Day Without Shoes" on Thursday, April 16th.

Parents

2009-04-08T09:03:00.005-04:00

When I am with a group of people, and my mom is present, perhaps the scariest words she can say are, "Remember when..." At that point, it can go either way - good or bad. Those words can cause my blood pressure to rise like very few things can. On the one hand, she could say:

Mom: "Remember when you scored 46 points against Bayshore your junior year?"
Me: after a brief sigh of relief, "Yeah, I was feeling it that night."

But it could also go the other way:

Mom: "Remember when you cheated on your girlfriend with your best friend's girlfriend?"
Me: "Actually, I have spent the last 19 years trying to forget that. Thanks for bringing it up again, especially in front of my best friend."

What embarrassing things do your parents do to you?

zoo atlanta

2009-04-06T09:36:00.006-04:00

Susan, Daniel, my mom, and I went to the zoo on Sunday. I like the zoo. But it got me to thinking about some funny things I have observed at the zoo.

1. Animals don't get embarrassed - I have seen an elephant facing away from the crowd, lift his tale, and proceed to take the biggest dump in the world. You should have heard all the "ohs" and ahs." I didn't know that much feces could be inside any one animal. I have also seen a gorilla "inspecting" his privates right there for everyone to see. And don't get me started on the elephant I saw that had, what I thought initially, was a fifth leg.

2. People don't get embarrassed (at a zoo) - have you noticed how grown men and women will talk to animals (who can't understand a word they are saying anyway) like they are little babies? "Hey dittle orangutan. Hey dere. How are you dittle baby? You're so cute." Meanwhile, the animal is probably thinking, "What a moron. I can't even understand a word you are saying to me."

3. Some people actually look like some of the animals - this is a fun game to play. As you walk around the zoo, try to identify which animals that the other people most resemble. You'd be amazed at how many people look like animals. Personally, I resemble a turtle (especially when my face is shaven). Just remember to do this quietly, because it would be quite embarrassing for your kid to yell out, "hey, that woman looks like an elephant!"

Have you ever seen anything funny at the zoo?

pet peeves

2009-04-05T22:07:00.004-04:00

I have several pet peeves, and I want to draw attention to two of them here.

1. The Invisible "S" - Have you ever noticed how people add an "s" at the end of certain stores and restaurants? For example, Krogers or Outbacks.

Friend: "Hey, do you want to go to LongHorns tonight?"
Me: "LongHorns? Is that possessive or plural?
Friend: "Huh? What do you mean?"
Me: "There is no s on the end!"
Friend: "Yes there is!"
Me: Pull out my iPhone and Google it to prove them wrong.
Friend: "You're a jerk."

2. Touching my computer screen - I hate getting those greasy fingerprints on my screen! I want to see my documents and webpages clearly, not through the veil known as smudges. I'm always uncomfortable when someone is pointing toward something on my screen - I can feel my stress level rise with each inch as their finger moves toward the screen. Sometimes if feels as if it is in slow motion. If it is someone I know well, then I can say, "Hey, be careful not to touch my screen. It is a pet peeve of mine." But if I don't know the person, then I can only hope that they know proper computer screen etiquette.

Do you have any pet peeves like these?

twitter

2009-04-03T21:56:00.005-04:00

I have started to use twitter this week. I want all my friends to start using it! If you don't know what twitter is, go check it out. It is like a facebook status, but only the people who want to "follow" will see it. And you can follow others, even celebrities if you would like. How cool would it be for friends to stay connect with one another throughout each day, not just when you are together or on the phone? This is the great benefit of twitter that I see. I can go to my twitter home page and immediately see some funny comment that my friend has made, or I can even laugh at what Rainn Wilson wrote: give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. give a fish a man, and you feed him for like 2 and 1/2 months.

Sure, no one wants to know that you are going to the post office. But wouldn't it be cool to know that your buddy is on his way to watch the final four in Detroit?

So, ALL MY FRIENDS NEED TO GET ON TWITTER! That means you too, Adam. Visit me on twitter by clicking here.

2 annoying things

2009-04-02T17:22:00.006-04:00

I had two annoying things happen to me today. I share them here in hopes that someone may stumble upon this blog and learn to never do either of these things.

1. A "friend" (let's call him "Tyler") didn't want to loan his own Flip HD video camera to a group of high school students (I'm sure he came up with some lame excuse), so he tells them that I have one and gives them my number! So I get a call from a high school student that I have met a couple of times, but don't really know very well, and he asked to borrow it for a week! And part of the time he wanted to take it with a group of buddies to the Smoky Mtns. Ummm, no. I ended up letting them use it for a couple of days, and I'm just hoping these jokers are responsible. But, in the end, I can't be mad at Tyler, because I have done the same thing many times! Karma.

2. I was at the orthodontist with my daughter this afternoon, and this lady in the waiting room received a call. Now, proper ettiquette in this situation would be to either receive the call quietly and say, "Hey, I'm at the Dr's office, can I call you back?" or walk outside and have your conversation. But this lady must have missed that day's lesson at "How Not To Be An Idiot School." This lady proceeded to receive the call and talk VERY loudly, annoying the other 6 of us waiting for our kids. We each looked at each other rolling our eyes, and huffing loudly hoping that she might get the hint. Finally, I went over and grabbed her cell phone out of her hand and told the lady that she was being rude and inconsiderate. Ok, that last sentence isn't true, but I thought about it.

Have you ever done any of these things? Come on, admit it. We are all friends here.

big purchases

2009-03-31T11:03:00.006-04:00

I just got back from Micro Center with my friend Adam. He was purchasing a new MacBook today, and I got to go with him. It reminded me of how I have a love/hate relationship with big purchases. On one hand, I love to get that new big thing (like a new Apple computer, my Vizio 42" TV, and my wife's new Accord), but on the other hand, I hate spending that much money at one time. I always feel guilty ("think of all the starving children I could have fed" or "do you really 'need' this new ___________"), and I always wonder if I am making the best choice.

Then I take it out of the box (and getting my wife's Honda out of the box was no small chore), and all those feelings melt away as I hold that new thing in my hands and begin to play with it. It's like Christmas. And I realize how fortunate (or "blessed") we are in this day and age to be able to take new stuff out of a box and play with it. I bet going back only to our grandparents' generation, that we have opened more boxes of stuff by the time we are 16 then they did their entire lives.

So here are some lessons I am trying to learn from all this:
1. Have the dealer take your new car out of the box before you purchase it.
2. Appreciate all the things I get to have - enjoy taking it out of the box and be thankful for it.
3. Be content with that I have, so that new things are fun and special, not routine and expected. This one is hard for me.

Sons and Daughters

2009-03-23T15:59:00.003-04:00

I have a pre-adolescent boy and a teenage daughter. Parenting them is pretty challenging, and sometimes overwhelming. I always thought that as a parent, I would issue a command, and my children would quickly run to obey simply because I am the coolest dad in the world and they love me so much that they always want to make me happy. That has happened at least zero times in my life.

But it is amazing to me how much I love my kids. I am proud of them, and I genuinely like them as people. I would hang out with them if I were their age. I was always a little worried that my kids might end up being like the people I can't stand being around, but that hasn't happened, and I am so grateful.

Business Time

2009-03-21T14:28:00.001-04:00

I love Flight of the Conchords. This is one of my favorites. Enjoy.

The Success of David

2009-03-21T14:01:00.002-04:00

Most of my students have heard about the story of David and Goliath (even if they don’t know the details, they at least have heard people use “David vs Goliath” in reference to an underdog), but few have heard about how David became prepared for this very public victory. David was a shepherd for his father, and on at least a couple of occasions, David had to fight off some wild animals who were looking to enjoy the sheep buffet. As he was making his case to king Saul to allow him to fight the giant, David said:
"Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God."

He was victorious in these private victories, which enabled him to win in his public battle against Goliath. I think there are two good lessons in that for us today. 1) God tests us in private to allow us to prove ourselves, then He can trust us to have a public influence. 2) We gain confidence as we win our private battles, and then we can be prepared to have an influence publicly.

Prom Asks

2009-03-20T09:31:00.003-04:00

I am amazed at what lengths high school must go to in order to ask a girl to prom. It is getting out of control! Whatever happened to the direct, face-to-face, "I know you probably think I am a dork, and you would never want to be seen in public with me, but if you don't already have a date to prom, then I will take you."? Today, prom asks must be as creative as a marriage proposal!

All that to say, yesterday I helped one of my students ask his date via youtube. Check it out.

Expectations

2009-03-19T08:20:00.005-04:00

I have been a funny man my whole life (except, of course, when I was younger. Then I was just a funny boy.) But being funny creates expectations. Others think you are going to say something funny all the time, and sometimes I either can't or don't say something funny. In fact, there have been times when I would be preaching in my church, and I would say something serious, but because of the expectations for me to be funny, people would snicker. I would just look at them in disgust with a face that says, "Don't you feel stupid now? You just laughed at an inappropriate time during the worship service. Are you even a Christian, or are you just playing a game?"

The pressure to be funny is no joke. It doesn't help that most of my humorous statements are said with a straight face. I understand how people could be confused. You can never know when I am serious or not. Like now. These twin curses of "wit" and "sarcasm" are too much to bear.

Coolness

2009-03-16T17:10:00.003-04:00

I remember when I was younger I thought that I would grow up to be the "cool" older person. You know that guy I'm talking about. Not the fake, never-grow-up, act-like-a-teenager-even-though-I'm-forty kinda guy, but the hip, not out-dated and weird guy. I thought I was well on my way to being that guy when I turned 30, but now that I am 38, I am beginning to see it slip away.

I think that when I turn 40, I am going to start wearing dark socks with sandals. I can only fight it for so long.

In your opinion, what makes an older person "cool"?

March Madness

2009-03-15T19:07:00.002-04:00

My final four match ups:

Louisville vs Memphis
Pittsburgh vs UNC

Championship game:

Louisville vs UNC

National Champion: UNC Tarheels baby!

top 5 low cost eateries

2009-03-12T20:13:00.004-04:00

Growing up, my family didn't have a lot of money, and so we rarely ate out. I remember as a kid thinking that a trip to McDonald's was a special treat. My how things have changed. We eat out a lot. I want to be hip and eat at locally-owned, fresh, organic, etc. places, but I just can't get there yet. Instead, I support big corporations who serve unhealthy food. My top 5 low cost places to eat in reverse order:

5. Popeye's. Love that chicken from Popeye's.
4. Hardee's. Especially for breakfast. Fresh biscuits. Very Southern. The Thickburgers are the best fast food hamburgers around.
3. Panda Express. I know that it's not "real" Chinese food, but I love me some Orange Chicken, Mandarin Chicken and fried rice. Plus you get to read the fortune and finish it with "in bed."
2. Moe's. Joey Bag of Donuts? Amazing. Good atmosphere and clever wall hangings.
1. Chick-fil-a. Great food. Great atmosphere. Employees are well-trained. Closed on Sundays. If you like CFA, then you owe it to yourself to spend 1:37 of your life to watch this video.

Best place to live

2009-03-11T14:58:00.004-04:00

I have lived in North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, South Carolina, and California. I don't remember the last two, but have fond memories of the others. My question is, "where is the best place to live?" There are so many options for us today. Urban, Suburban, Rural, Mountain Cabin, Beach, Condo, House, Tent, etc.

Here's the situation. Tell me what you would do. Your current living situation is not an option. You must move. You have to start over with a new job and live in a new location with new schools, church, friends, etc. The decision is yours alone. Where do you move?

Personally, I would move to a) near Atlantic Station (if I stayed in the South), 3) NYC or 3) San Diego. But my family would hate all of them, so I can't choose any of those. I think it would be good to be a little closer to family, so I might like to move to the Charlotte, NC area.

What do you think?

my top 5 things right now

2009-03-09T15:37:00.003-04:00

Giving credit where credit is due, I stole this post idea from Tripp.

Here are 5 things that I am currently thinking about and excited about.

1. March Madness. For basketball fans like me, this is the greatest sporting event of the year. I'm talking about the NCAA tournament. The first round games should be national holidays.
2. Springtime. I absolutely hate winter, and the first time we have sustained 70+ weather, I can feel it in my soul. I come alive and run around naked singing songs from some of my favorite musicals. Oh yeah, I don't have any favorite musicals, so I usually sing rap songs from the 80's like "U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer.
3. Apple, Inc. I love Apple products, and not just because it makes me feel cool and hip to use them. I have been using them since the mid 90's, and they just make life better. Of course, the down side is that I don't have any personal relationships with people anymore, but who cares about that.
4. Sex. Seriously, I am a guy.
5. U2. I have been digging their new album. This is my all-time favorite band, and they don't disappoint with this one. Magnificent is my favorite song so far. It is a modern-day gospel (as in "Good News") song.

Stem Sale

2009-03-09T08:56:00.004-04:00

I just don't know what all the fuss is about with the "stem sale research." Really? Are there that many stems being sold that we need the government to sanction research? I am not even sure what a "stem" is, and neither were the people at Wal Mart when I asked. I bet you would have a hard time buying a stem at a store. You'd probably have to find it on the internets.

weddings

2009-03-06T09:02:00.002-05:00

I have had the privilege of officiating several weddings of former students over the years. It is an honor to be a part of that special day for people. It has also provided me with some very humorous moments. Once, while reading the vows for one young lady, I turned to the bride to have her repeat after me. I said, "I Mary Ellen take you Matt to be my wedded wife." She looked at me really funny, and all the sudden, I realized my mistake. My face turned to level 42 on the Embarrassing Redness Meter.

But none of my moments could top this one. Watch and be thankful this was not you.

reverse aging

2009-03-04T09:36:00.003-05:00

I would like someone to create a medicine/procedure that would reverse the effects of aging only for athletic abilities. Facing up to one's diminishing physical prowess is hard for us men. If someone could create some kind of medicine or procedure that one could have around 36-38 that slowly reverses athleticism, then, at about age 48, men would reach their 2nd peak. How cool would it be for Michael Jordan to be reaching his second peak right now, playing against LeBron James? At age 58, he would still look like a 58 year, but could play sports like an 18 year old. Dads could keep dominating their sons even at advanced ages. Of course, by age 68, he would be like an 8 year old. That would be embarrassing, but worth it.

I will pledge half of the money I have in my pocket right now to the person who can create such a medicine or procedure.

Mom

2009-03-02T16:12:00.002-05:00

First, I apologize for taking a break from blogging. I know the 3 people who read this blog were devastated. I will try to make it up to you.

Today is my mom's 60th birthday. I can't believe that my mom is 60. She will always be like 44 in my mind. My mom is quite an incredible woman. She has gone through so much in her life, and she is a survivor. She has always believed in me, and that has given me the confidence to accomplish things in my life. Perhaps her greatest trait is her compassion and sensitivity. I am grateful for my mom.

Happy Birthday mom. I love you.

Snakes

2009-02-25T19:06:00.004-05:00

i have to say up front that this post will take at least 10 points off my "manly" rating.

i HATE snakes. in fact, there is nothing more scary to me than a big snake. i would rather eat a quite dinner for two with Hannibal Lecter than to encounter a huge snake. here are four (of many) reasons why i hate snakes.

1. because snake rhymes with jake, and jake is a good name for a bank robber.
2. because snakes can strike in an instant. how many animals (or people for that matter) can strike in an instant? that is scary. imagine if you knew a friend who randomly lunge at you in an attempt to bite you when she was upset.
3. it was a snake in the bible who tempted eve. know what's scarier than a snake? a talking snake. seriously, God should've created me first - i would have never listened to a talking snake.
4. this video.

Free Pancakes

2009-02-24T07:49:00.005-05:00

Today, IHOP is giving away 3 free pancakes to everyone who wants them. It is in honor of Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras. I think it is a great thing for them to do in light of the struggling economy and in the spirit of generosity. It has inspired me to give something away too, but I don't have any good food to give, so I have chosen the following. Limit one item per costumer:
1. Big Tent Revival CD
2. Slightly-used couch
3. Veggie Tales VHS videos
4. Bible verses (from memory or read out loud)
5. A "Voice of Calvary" mission trip t-shirt from 1997 (some yellow tint in the underarm area)
6. A painting I found in the dumpster in 1995, then used in our house until 2007
7. Sports Illustrated magazine from Feb 23, 2008

Please contact me directly to receive your prize. Shipping and Handling fees may apply.

world traveler

2009-02-21T21:07:00.003-05:00

This weekend we are having our missions conference, and tonight we had a dinner where we looked back at all the mission trips we have done since 1994. I haven't thought about it in a while, but I have really been blessed to have had those experiences. Each one has its own special memories. Here are all the places I have visited on mission trips:
1988 - St Thomas, Virgin Islands
1992 - Cortez, CO
1993 - Tampa, FL
1994 - Jackson, MS
1995 - Asheville, NC
1996 - Costa Rica
1997 - Jackson, MS
1998 - Jamaica
1999 - Chattanooga, TN
2000 - Los Angeles, CA
2001 - Atlanta, GA
2001 - Grenoble, France
2002 - Roatan, Honduras
2003 - Tampa, FL
2004 - Curacao
2005 - Bayou La Batre, AL

New Career?

2009-02-20T18:03:00.004-05:00

Wisdom

2009-02-19T21:26:00.003-05:00

I am not a very wise person. The first evidence I would like to present is the time that I erased, on my 7th grade report card, my "C" in Social Studies and replaced it with an "A." It was clear that the report card had been edited. When questioned by my mother, I denied any involvement and acted incensed that she would even entertain such a thought. I even said, "If you don't believe me, then you can call the school!" to which she replied, "That's a good idea." Yeah, that was not wise on my part. I was removed from the basketball team, and my dad applied the board of education to the seat of my pants.

I don't know that I am much wiser today, but I do believe in the power of wisdom. I read this morning in Prov 19:8, "He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers." So true, and good, and beautiful.

Barack Obama

2009-02-17T20:08:00.003-05:00

I have been reading President Obama's book called The Audacity of Hope. I like a lot of what he has to say, and I think this piece is nice to hear from a politician:

"It is to say that after all the trappings of office - the titles, the staff, the security details - are stripped away, I find the President (Bush) and those who surround him to be pretty much like everybody else, possessed of the same mix of virtues and vices, insecurities and long-buried injuries, as the rest of us. No matter how wrong-headed I might consider their policies to be - and no matter how much I might insist that they be held accountable for the results of such policies - I still find it possible, in talking to these men and women, to understand their motives, and to recognize in them values I share."

May we have the same respect for him and his policies.

going public

2009-02-17T07:30:00.003-05:00

I have now made my blog public. I will not be publicizing it all that much, if at all, but at least you won't have to sign in every time just to read my nuggets or wisdom and my incredible wit and sarcasm.

small group

2009-02-16T18:39:00.002-05:00

Susan and I may be joining a new small group that is developing in the Lilburn area. All the couples are in their 30s and have young children. We will be at the top end of "30s" and our children are young compared to me, so I guess we fit.

We have our first meeting next Thursday, and it is kind of like a first date. We will need to dress nicely, but not over-dress. We need to have clean teeth and sweet breath. And we will need to be friendly and ask good questions. If they like us, we might get to be a part of the group.

But then again, it is a Christian group, so I guess they can't keep us out. We also have a plan in case they are mean to us. We will tell them we are not Christians, and we are checking the whole Jesus thing out. Then they will have to be nice to us.

10 years

2009-02-15T17:13:00.003-05:00

I have been reflecting a lot on how much I have changed over the last 10 years. From 28 to 38. First, let me say that from 18-28 were the best years of my life in many ways.

Physically, I am about 30 pounds heavier, and I have lost some hair. I could still dunk 10 years ago, and now I can't even touch the rim. I had dorky glasses and I dressed like a typical "youth worker" guy. Lauren was 4 and we had Daniel when I was 28. 10 years ago, I was where Adam and Tyler are now in many ways. The future was very bright.

Life was pretty good then, but the last 10 years have worn me out. Life got hard and much more complicated. I wouldn't trade the last 10 years, because they have shaped me in a lot of ways, but I am hoping that the next 10 will be better.

When I am 48, I want to be much more secure and satisfied with where I am in life. I am trusting that the Scriptures are true when they teach us that God rewards those who seek righteousness and goodness.

Why I have little

2009-02-13T09:12:00.002-05:00

Prov 13:4
Lazy people want much but get little,
but those who work hard will prosper.

I don't know why some people are really driven, goal-oriented, over-achievers, and others (like me) are not. I like to accomplish goals, sure, but I just don't want to have to work hard to do it. This has been a constant challenge for me my whole life. But I have a choice. I can choose to go with my natural bent and be lazy, or I can choose to work hard and find prosperity. This morning at least, I choose to work hard.

Daniel's basketball

2009-02-11T08:01:00.002-05:00

Daniel finished up basketball last night. He had a great season. His team one the regular season championship and the tournament championship, and his All Star team one by 1 point last night on Daniel's free throw.

There is something special about watching your kids succeed. I imagine how proud God must be of us when we overcome some odd to succeed.

Laughing Gas

2009-02-10T16:22:00.002-05:00

Whoever discovered/created laughing gas is one of my heroes.

P90X

2009-02-09T16:48:00.004-05:00

Just finished P90X. I am starting my second week, and I am getting seriously buff. Last night, someone mistook me for Brad Pitt. That is quite a change from last week when some guy thought I was Chris Farley, and that I had faked my death.

But seriously, if I don't look like Tony when I'm done, I want my money back.

Power and Assurance

2009-02-09T09:20:00.002-05:00

1 Thess 1:5 says, "For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true."

I want to be a part of something like that when I bring the Good News. I want there to be power and full assurance. Why doesn't this happen in my teaching?

Pro Bowl

2009-02-08T19:33:00.001-05:00

Seriously, who watches the NFL Pro Bowl. It is such a let down after the Super Bowl. I say they should move it up to the Sunday before the Super Bowl.

Thanks Tyler

2009-02-07T21:26:00.000-05:00

I have always wanted to be a "blogger," but I didn't think I had what it took. Then my friend Tyler started a blog. He encouraged me to do it, and I figured that if Tyler could do, then I definitely could do it.

The purpose of my blog is to be a place where I can exhale some of my thoughts. I have a hard time letting other people know the "real" Ev, so I have a tendency to share only what I think will be acceptable (bad practice, I know). But I still have a need to get my real thoughts out. So this is where that will happen...I hope. I also love to laugh and I spend a good deal of time finding the humor in life. I will share those things here too. Other than that, I will just wait and see how this site ev-olves.