1.31.2007

Death by teasing

I compulsively teased my little sister when I was a kid. Whatever she did, wherever she went, whoever she hung out with... it was a reason for me to tease her. It was a terrible thing. A few years ago I had the chance to confess my sin and to ask her for forgiveness. it was an emotional experience because of the pain that all my teasing had caused.

So when I came across a chapter about teasing in the book Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon MacKenzie it really hit home. So I thought I would share with you a passage from his book...

*****************************************************
"I was once an alcoholic. My rehabilitation process included attending various support groups where, over time, I began to find out about some of the many lurking intricacies of addictive behavior. One especially valuable revelation for me was to learn about the powerful role shaming plays in the dynamic of any family cursed by an addiction-poisoned environment.

Addictive behavior does not damage just he addict, but the addict's family as well. In an effort to survive the insane behavior of the addicted one, other family members develop reciprocating insanities. And pretty soon, the whole tribe is participating in a jumbled web of addiction induced craziness. The craziness seduces every family member into compulsively controlling every other family member so that nobody gets any big ideas about breaking the web of madness in some rebellious effort to move toward healthier behavior.

This compulsion to control, engendered by the addiction, becomes a protector off the addiction. The controlling takes many forms, one of which is shaming.

We were discussing all this at group one evening when the guy sitting next to me observed, ‘Teasing is a disguised form of shaming.’

For as far back as I could remember, I had always been a frenzied teaser but had never looked at why. Now I knew. I teased to control. Why would I want to control? Because I am afraid. For whatever reason, I have had a long-standing fear of others. One way o dealing with this fear was to learn the skill of teasing. I learned it well, eventually walling myself of with a bristling armor of barbed banter designed to blunt the power of those countless people I felt threatened by. My teasing became a weapon intended to push others off balance and thus reduce, the sense of menace in my life.

I have a sinking felling that the teasing you bombarded your colleague with just now reflects a similar strategy [a reference to a previous story in the book]. I suspect that, when you teased this woman, it was an unconscious effort to control her by throwing her off balance – to stop her from risking, which she was most clearly beginning to do. Why would you want to do that? Well, when one of us finds the courage to risk to grow – to leave the status quo of the Hairball – that can be pretty threatening for the rest of us to witness. The threat is that we, too, might be expected to grow. And sometimes growing can be a frightening and painful experience. If we feel we have already suffered too much pain or are already frozen by a sense of menace, we are liable to do anything we can to avoid the pan or threat that often comes with the experience of growth. So we contrive to stop others in our loop who display a desire and willing to grow. One way to stop them is to shame them. But because we don’t want to admit to others or ourselves that we are trying to stop growth, we disguise our shaming as teasing – ‘all in the spirit of good fun.’ (Whatsa matter, can’tcha take a little joke?)

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Powerful. I don’t think Jesus was a teaser.

1.30.2007

Is Church Enough

I love church... you know going "to church" that happens for me on Sunday. And for me the bigger the better. I love big churches. I like crowds. I like big bands or choirs. I like polished preaching. I like the feel of a crowd. And I like meeting new people (every week).

There is something in the presence of a large church that I just plain like. This past Sunday at our "big" Church I was on-stage at an event that broke a big group of 200 plus people into small groups. And I got to wondering... is church enough? When I think of "Church" I think of lots of pews and row after row of people who are strangers. I think of thousands of people who move, en masse, into a large room and experience a big event, then go back home to individualize what just happened... and I wonder... is that enough? Not is it wrong or is it necessary, but is it enough? If that is all that someone experiences as church, have they experienced what Christ died for?

And I read in the bible where "church" is described like this: "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. All the believers were together and had everything in common and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts" (Acts 2:42, 44-46)

I don't get that in "church". It's not so much that church is deficient... but I think "big" churches can be deficient. The big service lacks accountability... it lacks eating together... it lacks praying together... it lacks sharing things in common... it lacks sharpening one another.

So I don't think "church is enough"... we need something smaller, more intimate where we are exposed and encouraged and challenged and where we are eating together.... regularly.

1.29.2007

Sometimes Friends are Like Dentists














Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Proverbs 27:6


Sometimes friends are like dentists...they shouldn't always tell you everything is OK, because that can be detrimental to your health. Last Wednesday was one of those days for me. There was something in my life that I needed to deal with before it got out of hand. And thanks to my friend, Dave, we were sitting there face-to-face dealing with it.

It all started about 3 months ago when he kindly confronted me on the subject. He said he saw something in my life that I had not noticed. He did it because he cared. He knew the truth might hurt, but he was willing to risk our relationship over the matter. I thought everything was OK, but Dave could see that it wasn't.

So last Wednesday he sat me down and we went through the painful process of working it out. He wouldn't let me just cover it up and demanded that we get to the root of the issue, so that it would not resurface again. Sin can be like that, right? If caught, we want to minimize and apologize... but often we aren't honest with ourselves and others and we don't deal with the real heart issue involved.

God says a good friend doesn't let a friend just keep on sinning; rather "if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness (ESV - Gal 6:1)". And he continues with a warning to the restorer... "pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too (NET)."

It was painful, but later that night as I was healing, I was actually glad that the problem was discovered and healing was in process.

So what was it.....well in the spirit of full disclosure.... it was... a trip to my dentist. Yes Dave is in fact Dr. Conrad. And 3 months ago he noticed a cavity and scheduled for me to have it cleaned and capped. If it wasn't for Dr. Conrad decay would still be eating away at my teeth. And I couldn't help but see the parallel between how God says a good friend should be at the loving discovery by my dentist. Sometimes a friend needs to be like a dentist and sometimes your friend is your dentist.

May your friends courage to "wound" you and confront you on sin in yor life for, bring a smile to your pearly whites.

Just Stop And Think

Sometimes life is such a rollercoaster that we never have time to just stop and think. Have you slowed down to consider the track that you are running? Is your life filled with meaning and passion? Maybe you need to just stop and think abit.

What if 15 minutes could change your life forever? That is what drove to Francis Chan, Pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, CA, to come up with a cool video project. In it he boils down the message of the Bible to a 15 minute video. Listen to this pastor share it with you while he casually strolls down to the beach for a surf. You can viewit here and on www.juststopandthink.com.


Have you missed the core message of the Bible? Are you put off by Christians but not by Jesus? Does church add confusion to your life instead of clarity? If you wonder what the central message of the Bible is, then just stop and think... these 15 minutes could change your life forever.

1.23.2007

Got Group?



GroupLink is about connecting the disconnected. Jordan put together this nice trailer to promote the event. GroupLink is an event where people come in anonymously and leave with new relationships.

3 things to keep in mind:
1. It is for everyone! All ages & stages of life.
2. It is not about small groups...it is really about family.
3. GroupLink is fun!

Brendan put up this splashpage to promote the singles groupLink

1.22.2007

Breakdown

Why is it that it never seems like a good time for your car to breakdown? It always happens to be when you are late... or running behind... or have to be somewhere. Well, I think I know why they tell you never to say "never" or "always". Because, I actually brokedown the other day at the most convenient time, and for that I thank God.

I was meeting a friend at a Starbucks over on Lane in UA (which I rarely go to). On the way I heard a snap under my hood and immediately I lost my power steering and the car started blowing cold air. (Yea I know I snapped my flux-capacitor belt). I had only 2 turns to make to arrive at my coffee appointment.

I enjoyed the coffee and called my wife to my rescue. She was planning on leaving the house and didn't mind helping out. After my coffee she followed me only 2 more turns to my families mechanic (who I've never used before) who said he couldn't look at it until the next day.

I went about my day. I had a 4 o'clock and my friend, Jon who has a flexible schedule picked me up. On the way I found out that not only had the mechanic looked at it, he had a spare flux-capacitor belt on hand and my car was ready. After my 4 o'clock Jon drove me to the mechanic. And $330 later I was driving myself home.

When I arrived home I thought, how convenient was that. I broke down across town in the morning and drove my fixed care home that night. It was a conveneint day to breakdown. And for that I thank God.


And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

5 things you don't know about me

I have been tagged by my friend, Aaron Conrad, to share with the world 5 unique things about me. Check out Aaron's Five. Since I'm one of those guys that tends to color inside the lines I've had to put in a lot of thought to come up with more than where I went to school, where I've lived and famous people that I've shared a private beach with (a story for another time). I hope you enjoy.

1. I have spent the night in jail. Sounds a bit scary and maybe glamorous, but it is really quite boring. I had a season of life where I was racking up speeding tickets like it was job. In order to stick it to the man, I chose to rip them up instead of paying them. Not smart. Because after not paying a few, a warrant went out for my arrest and upon my next infraction I had to pay the piper. I made my call, was baled out, starting paying my tickets and eventually chose to slow down.

2. I once lost the tip of my left pinkie finger. At about 2, my family moved from Chicago, IL and during the move the tip of my little finger got cut off by a closing door. They picked up the piece of finger and me and took us both to hospital, where we were reunited. My little finger and I have made up and stuck together ever since the incident.

3. I have a fake tooth. I'm sounding pretty pathetic and clumsy at this point (I bet you didn't know that about me). But one day during a little league game I wandered into the on deck circle where our best player was practicing his swing. I timed it just right and his bat made contact with my mouth at full swing. All I remember is bending over and spitting out my teeth. I was quite fortunate that he hit my mouth and not my nose. So my left front tooth is a fake, covering up the hole in my smile left by Alex Steinman's bat.

4. I am not a midget. Although an impressive 5' 2 1/4" I am just short. So when people refer to me as midget, shorty, little man or dwarf it is not so much a technical term as it is a derogatory statement. Just to clarify. But I have always taken comfort in the community of small-statured but impressive men like Michael J. Fox, Chris Tomlin, Joshua Harris and the apostle Paul.

5. I once broke my brothers arm. Of course it was an accident... I'm not that vicious. At about 12 years old my little brother and I were playing in Kenny Bucks' tree house. We were hanging off the edge and swinging from a tree limb and jumping. My brother wasn't moving as fast as I thought he should, so I gave him a nudge, he lost his balance and SNAP. The fun part was my parents were out of town and my grandma was watching us for the weekend.

1.18.2007

2007 is starting FAST for some

I got an e-letter today from Ed Young, Jr. pastor of Fellowship Church outside Dallas, TX. It appears he recently kicked off the churches new year by inviting the entire church to a 21 day fast, in accompaniment with his "Larger Than Life" series. In a church-meets-MTV element he is even posting a confessional Video Journal which gives a great behind the scenes look at this large church figure... including family scenes in his swayzee kitchen.

The fast, as explained in the weekend service, is a spiritual discipline designed to better connect us with God. As a church, we are fasting in order to deepen our relationship with God and walk in step with His plan and purpose. The best way to do this is to redirect our food source. This is accomplished through substituting our regular food intake with Bible reading, praying and journaling. The overall goal is to experience a genuine hunger for spending time with God."

I can't argue with that...in fact it seems like the discipline of fasting is way out of style these days. For some good biblical "meat" on the topic I recommend John Piper's sermon Man Shall Not Live on Bread Alone. Happy Feasting!

1.16.2007

Mad about the Buckeyes

After the BCS Championship game I was mad. Mad about the Buckeyes… because when it comes to the Bucks I’m a Superfan. Da Buuuuuucks!. Mad at Florida, mad at the SEC, mad at Urban Meyer, mad at the Buckeyes. My blood was boiling…my pulse was high… I couldn’t sleep until 2am. Sometimes I get mad about the buckeyes. And I’m not alone… we often get mad about the strangest things, don’t we. For some its sports, for others its traffic, and for others it’s waiting 5 minutes in line at the grocery store.

The things that move us to place of deep emotions are quite powerful things if you think about it. Think about the things that make you mad… or sad… or guilty… or happy. Are they silly little things like sports or do they have some social value like racism. The things that move us to the place of strong emotion are powerful things… whether they are silly or weighty.

And if you think about it we are probably defined by the things that move us. We are defined as shallow people or deep people… as selfish people or generous people… as thoughtful or flaky… by the things that move us to emotion. They define us.

Consider what moved Jesus…
Jesus became angry when merchants desecrated the temple of God
And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. Matthew 21:12

Jesus was moved to compassion by the physical and spiritual needs of a neglected people
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14

I hate some of silly things that feed my anger or joy, because they are small or petty or simple things. In the end they reveal how shallow I can be, for in the end they are meaningless pursuits. It’s ok to be a Superfan… as long as it does not define us. Life is too precious to be defined by such simple things.

New Attitude......the conference




New Attitude
Louisville, KY
Memorial Day Weekend 2007
*for singles of all ages & young married couples

This great event happens right in our own "backyard". I have great respect for the men they are putting on the platform and the creative, worshipful, challenging nature of what they are doing. I'm going this year and would love to take a crowd of singles and young marrieds with me. The cost is reasonable &and I've already saved a block of hotel rooms. Their web-site is full of downloads, book recommendations and constantly update with sweet blogs. I can wait!

1.15.2007

Loving Your Enemies

Every year there is a day on the calendar comemorating the influence that Martin Luther King, Jr. had upon our country. But with each passing year, we remember less and less about this man. Our national ignorance about this great figure in our nations history is growing. We know him positively or negatively based largely upon the caricatures of him that others have painted for us.

His influence and legacy is worth our attention and admiration and a bit of study. So may I suggest that you read one of his sermons, pick up a biography or listen to a speech. Today I read his sermon "Loving your Enemies" delivered on November 17, 1957 at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, made available by Stanford University's Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute.

I leave you with a section of that sermon...

Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. That’s why Jesus says, "Love your enemies." Because if you hate your enemies, you have no way to redeem and to transform your enemies. But if you love your enemies, you will discover that at the very root of love is the power of redemption. You just keep loving people and keep loving them, even though they’re mistreating you. Here’s the person who is a neighbor, and this person is doing something wrong to you and all of that. Just keep being friendly to that person. Keep loving them. Don’t do anything to embarrass them. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with bitterness because they’re mad because you love them like that. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies.

1.11.2007

She's 30 !!!!!

On January 11, 1977 my girl took her first breath in this world. On July 22, 2000 she took my name. On April 18, 2003 she bore my first son. And today she is stepping out of her raging 20's and is embracing her 30's.

A wise man once said, he who finds a wife finds a good thing. And I found a good thing when Christine walked into my life.

She is too much of certain things for some and not enough of other things for others, but in our 6 years of marriage we have grown to love and like each other more all the time.

Some relationships are likened to polite conversations over tea... ours is more like a wrestling match during happy hour. And I love her for who she is and what she has brought into my life. Here are a few unique things that I love about Christine.

Her soft heart... She connects with people who have suffered hardship on a heart level and feels for them. She has little compassion for fools, but for people who undeservedly suffer she sheds tears.

Her openness... I used to love it, then it bothered me, then I hated it and now I love with more understanding. She doesn't leave me wondering "what she really feels", she talks and tells me whats on her heart and mind.

Her work ethic... I am a self-confessing procrastinator and she is a workhorse. I have become more efficient (but am still a work in progress) because of her example.

Her support... She is my number one fan and makes me feel very secure as a husband, father and a man. She doesn't butter me up all the time as an act, but she is really my best fan and teamate.

Her energy... She is fun to play with and laugh with and debate with and entertain with. How boring my life would be without her.

Thanks for entertaining my gushing on my wife.
I love you Christine!

1.10.2007

The Bible Experience


Have you heard about this project? It looks like the African-American community has pulled its star talent to produce a new generation of Audio Bible. I read about it in an interview that Catalyst did with one of the Executive Producers Lou "Buster" Brown. I know nothing of the personal relationship that each character has with the One whose story they are telling, but I am all about getting God's Word out to the masses.

The preview looks moving! To God be the glory!

Letting Go

After wearing holes in the back right pocket of two pairs of nice pants and tiring of the heckles of some who saw the size of my wallet I am turning over one new leaf this year. I am taking the advice of family (wife) and friends (Matt) who think my wallet is too big and cumbersome and I am down-sizing to a cute money clip.

You can see for yourself that over the years I have become quite capable of filling my back right pocket with lots of "necessary" items. But as I worked my way through the wallet, I noticed that the items were parts of my identity that I had compiled over the years. They were not simply pieces of plastic but layers of my identity. So shedding them not only will save my pants and maybe my back, but in a sense is stripping my ego of certain status symbols.

Here are a few of the items that were in the wallet, but didn't make it to the clip:

  • social security card: never needed it, I've got it memorized
  • Student ID card from Dallas Seminary: that thing cost me 4 years of my life
  • frequent flyer cards: from my previous life as traveling salesman
  • Avis Member Card: not only salesman, but National Account Manager
  • local Library Card: have used it once in 3 years
  • ATM card: I have sworn off cash and am all plastic

I must say, sitting is a lot more comfortable these days!

The Good Life

My life is often out of order. Maybe that is why we have New Year Resolutions... because we all feel that the ship is a bit off course and it is our attempt to right the ship. I think the human condition is a disorderly life.

We are cracked and broken to the core by self-destructive things that we do and by the destructivethings that others do to us. We sin and we are sinned against. The result is chaotic... at times their is joy and peace and even fulfillment...but that all happens in the context of a disordered life.

The gospel of the kingdom that Jesus preached is that God has a good life for us... an ordered life... a redeemed life. It is quite a foreign thing to us... so foreign that it takes murder. The old life has to be killed a new life has to be birthed, then nourished and pruned.

This new life is like a beautiful fruit tree that in times creates luscious fruit. My spiritual life is often unfruitful and stale and dry. That is why when I came across the following verses, I was reminded to resolve anew this year to pursue the good life which I have freely received from its author.

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement….
your faith with virtue,
and virtue with knowledge,
and knowledge with self-control,
and self-control with steadfastness,
and steadfastness with godliness,
and godliness with brotherly affection,
and brotherly affection with love.
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Peter 1:5-8

1.09.2007

Mistaken Identity

This January I decided to take a look at our financial investments and savings accounts and retirement funds to make sure that everything was accounted for. In the process I found a retirement fund of about $125 that Christine got when she did some substitute teaching in Dallas during our first year of marriage. She was an awesome sub...the kids hated her and the teachers loved her, because she followed their instructions to the "T".

Since the dollar amount was so low, I decided to just cash it in and have them cut us a check. But as I looked more closely at the account it looks like it could almost belong to an entirely different person. I requested that the check be cut to Mrs. Christine Burkle. But the account is registered for Mr. Lelia Griffin. That's right Mr. They have her god-give first name (Lelia) and her maiden name (Griffin) and somehow have her as a male. And even though we might never see that $125, it makes me realize how important our identity is.

It is important to know who we are...and who we aren't. Many people struggle their whole life with a variety of identity issues. Some people long for others identity or want to switch their own. We each have an innate desire to center ourselves comfortably around an identity. Maybe that is why in the Bible God regularly encourages his children to know who they are and whose they are. To remember who remembers them and whose eye is watching over them. Redemption is a new identity, rooted "in Him"... in Jesus. Jesus' offer of freedom from sin and guilt and death is a promise of new life which he lives through us (Gal 2:20), if we will open our heart to it.

Don't let the world tell you who you are (especially the Highland Park ISD), tell the world who you are through Christ.

Blue day for the Scarlet & Gray

Along with the rest of Buckeye Nation I am mourning the trouncing of my beloved Buckeyes by the gators. The Bucks were pushed, pummeled and pounced. They were out-coached, out-huscled, out-schemed and out-played. They lost miserably to a team that on game day was far superior.

If there is any saving grace, I don't think they were out-classed. I see class is how your speak about the event and your opponent. From the gators I heard only disrespect and adrenaline fueled back-handed comments about the Bucks, the Big Ten and Tressel. From the Bucks I heard nothing but positive comments about their opponent while taking full responsibility for the loss.

They don't hand out trophies in football for class... that is not how life works. But at the end of life people don't line up to walk by your coffin because it is surrounded by trophies. So how do I end my mourning and take something positive from this embarassing loss...by philosophizing of course. For you see, sport is not life, it simply prepares you for life. We Buckeyes know how tragic life can turn for a rising champion when he believes too many of the headlines (Mr. Clarrett). So win with grace.... lose with grace.... and good guys don't always end up first.

It's a Heart Issue

I came across a chapter for a book on discipleship entitled "How I Learned to Disciple a Transexual." I think the author, Robert Thune, has done such a good job of putting into words something that really resonates with my soul. It a gospel-centeredness that blurs the lines between evangelism and discipleship. It is a more wholistic view of what the gospel is, what it does and even who it is for. And Robert wraps it up into a compelling story that is still not finished.


I love his nutshell of the gospel... Cheer up: you're worse than you think. But cheer up: God's grace is greater than you ever dreamed. He challenges our tendency towards "behavior-modification" evangelism by clarifying that the real issue is the heart. The gospel works from the inside out right. So spiritual maturity is better reflected not in visible effects (tithes, bible studies, good works) but in the affections of the heart (our longings and treasures).


He mentions, We forget that the gospel doesn't just change eternal destinies; it changes everything. I guess the longer I am Christian I realize that I am much worse than I think. So whether you are discipling a Transexual or trying to really understand what the gospel is I commend his 7 page chapter to you. Thanks to a29 for making it available!

1.08.2007

Subalicious








I get to work with some really creative guys and gals in our young adults group at Church. A couple of guys, Brendan and Jordan, put together a cool song to promote a connection lunch we had yesterday. Their song "subalicious" is a takeoff of a current pop-song that I have never heard. Talk about creative. Listen for yourself.

1.04.2007

Mooo-ving into the New Year

I road-tripped to a Dairy in Springfield, OH yesterday with a new friend Jon. When he confessed his addiction to milk and all things dairy I felt like I had just lit-up infront of a nicotene addict. Fortunately I was able to peel Jon away from the dairy with little more than a scratch, but only after I let him pose with Rosie and Rocky the mascots.

Milk is quite good for you, it provides great nutrition for the body. I've never heard of any doctor saying, you look pretty healthy...but you should back off the milk a little. In 2007 I need to drink more milk and take better care of my body. But that is not all that I need to do...because whether I like it or not my body at the ripe young age of 35 is beginning to decay. I need also to feed my soul.

In 2007 as I increase my daily intake of milk, to feed my bones, I also need to increase my daily intake of spiritual milk, the Word of God. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation- 1 Peter 2:2. What feeds my soul is connecting with God... listening to what he has to say to me... sharing my fears and desires... letting him point out where I need correction... humbly submitting to his direction.

Don't get stuck with brittle bones due to a lack of milk and don't get stuck with a shriveled soul due a disconnect with God and his Word.

1.02.2007

Life is a Gift

Happy New Year!

I am back after about a month off. I had nothing to say in December. I was busy thinking about Christmas... rethinking my ministry at church... and trying to teach my kids that the true meaning of Christmas is not "getting toys." I lost that last battle... oh well there is always next year.

Then around Christmas I received an e-mail from a friend from Dallas, his name is John. He is living on borrowed time... meaning he should have died years ago. I really think he is a medical miracle. He has Cystic Fibrosis and has done many things that doctors told him he would not do, such as live into his 30's. I used to sit next to John at a call center that we both worked at. We talked about life and work and dreams and family. John married a sweet girl, Jen, who knew that her time with John was numbered from the start.

But she took the plunge and committed herself to him. They got married and now they have a kid. Then in his Christmas e-mail he said he is now on the top of the lung transplant list in Dallas, TX and knowing the risks involved he just wanted to say he loved his family and friends.

His story was covered by the local CBS affiliate. You can see the five minute clip here. He just wants to live a little longer.

John knows that life is a gift! What a perspective...