Edited and butchered...

Jump in a time machine with me for a few lines:

March, 1988...I had been writing bulletin articles for roughly 5 years - what an impressive resume for a writer :).

An issue came along that I had a lot of passion about and I wrote three articles and submitted them to Words of Truth, a paper of some renown in Alabama. A few weeks went by and I got a very nice letter from the editor of the paper stating they were going to run my article and that I might want to look over their format for submissions information which was enclosed. For the next few weeks I couldn't wait for the little paper to come out, I'd rush to the mailbox. The anticipation was almost too much. Then it arrived! I saw my name on the front page - wow! I called Melanie, Missie, Jeff, mom, dad, my elders, the fellow who read our water meter - everyone I could think of...I'm sure I bragged and I'm sure it was ungodly and I'm sure I sounded like someone who had had an article published for the first time in their life. But all that was true, so what else should I have sounded like? In the enclosed letter the editor of the paper encouraged me to continue writing that "writing makes a precise man" - of something that some famous dead guy had said.

THEN I finally actually looked at my article. "They" changed it, edited it, butchered it1 Actually they had taken the first paragraph out (it was one of my favorites) and done some serious (and I'm sure now) and helpful editing. Oh I was mad. I did not want to be edited...changed,...butchered...I wrote it how I wrote it...I liked the way it sounded...those are my words, I birthed them (as if I ever had an original thought - but just in case I did I didn't want anyone messing with them!).

That was over a million words ago in my writing life. Early on Melanie and I had some pretty serious unscheduled discussions when she would try to edit me. For years I fought every suggested change regardless of the authority or credibility of said changers. I would run kicking and screaming to defend every period, comma, and dangling participle! I would refuse some changes - "they can edit but its still my writing so I don't have to take all their suggestions." "That may be correct but this how I'd say it...", I'd defend.

In February my son Philip had his fist work published. His is two chapters in an excellent new book called "Boys to Men". Earlier this week he got around to actually reading the chapters as they appear. Here is the text message he send me: "I'm reading that book I wrote for...wish I could have detarded this thing. They totally butchered some of my stuff."

What's that saying about apples and trees? :)

To this day, I hate being edited. But I have learned that a good and careful editor is a writer's best friend. At GW my stuff would be edited by the very best. Typically least four sets of eyes would check it before it went to press. And those eyes were the best of the best. I used to joke that I would always read my article after it was printed to see what I said. I need serious help when it comes to writing. I make up words, create my own rules of grammar, suspend the ones I don't like and am a SLOW learner.

Yes, I hate being edited - but I sure miss my editors! They always made me look better than I are - oops :).

A fascinating article...

I've been blogging nearly a year and have never posted anything written from another website...so when I tell you that you need to read this article forwarded to me by my friend Phil Ellenburg. It is very well done:

We live in the land of biblical idiots: Public school courses that promote Bible literacy can enhance our civic life.
By Stephen Prothero, STEPHEN PROTHERO is chairman of the religion department at Boston University and the author of "Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know -- and Doesn't."March 14, 2007

ALTHOUGH THE 110th Congress has brought to Capitol Hill 43 Jews, two Buddhists and a Muslim — Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), who took his oath of office on Thomas Jefferson's Koran — Washington remains a disproportionately Christian town. More than 90% of federal legislators call themselves Christians, making Congress more Christian than the United States itself. The president is an evangelical Protestant. Catholics enjoy a majority on the Supreme Court. Biblical references — from the Jericho Road to the golden rule to the promised land — permeate political speech. Yet U.S. citizens know almost nothing about the Bible. Although most regard it as the word of God, few read it anymore. Even evangelicals from the Bible Belt seem more focused on loving Jesus than on learning what he had to say.

In a religious literacy quiz I have administered to undergraduates for the last two years, students tell me that Moses was blinded on the road to Damascus and that Paul led the Israelites on their exodus out of Egypt. Surveys that are more scientific have found that only one out of three U.S. citizens is able to name the four Gospels, and one out of 10 think that Joan of Arc was Noah's wife. No wonder pollster George Gallup has concluded that the United States is "a nation of biblical illiterates."

Biblical illiteracy is not just a religious problem. It is a civic problem with political consequences. How can citizens participate... for the complete article (and you'll want to read it al) click this link: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-prothero14mar14,0,5385607.story?coll=la-opinion-rightrail

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Somebody somewhere will win a Saturn at some point but not on this site and not from this survey. :) But don't you think a preacher in Spring Hill ought to drive a Saturn? :) Come on, take the survey anyway!

So I speak Saturday at the really well put together and attended Youth Rally at Lomax Crossroads in Hohenwald. I suppose it's a sign of my age that three of the last six youth rallies I've spoken in it has been to the parents! And that's what I'm doing this year. But it is still an honor to be on this good program. My college roommate Van booked me for a meeting there nearly ten years ago - then he moved on a few months before the meeting. Since I've been back there several times and they hired our first Preaching Intern at Granny White, David Salisbury. David's done a bang up job there.

This year I am to speak on how our children bless our lives and how we bless the lives of our children. Here's where you come in:


1. How have your children blessed your life?


2. How have you blessed there lives? What are some specific things you've done to bring you closer to them so you could bless their lives (family traditions, special times, child specific activities, etc.)?


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THANKS...and if you win a Sky somewhere will you at least let me drive it once?

Start punching...edit, correct, etc....

We’ve tried to come up with a way to define this wonderful place and the awesome things happening here. Please take just a moment to see into the heart of this church. What do you see?
…Openess to the Will of God as revealed in the Word of God. That is really the starting place if you want to get your finger on the pulse of thing happening here (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We are trying to be Bible People (James 1:22-25). It is our goal to reproduce New Testament Christianity in the 21st Century. We are open to the Will of God as revealed in the Word of God. We are also open to welcoming new people to the Family here.
….Oneness it is our goal to blend this body of Christians together as a close family: For there to be an obvious love and oneness on our fellowship (John 13:35; Ephesians 4:3-7).
…Outreach. It doesn’t long take to see that the Spring Hill area is experiencing tremendous growth. You are a part of that growth. As we drive up and down the roads of this unique place we wonder do these folks know Christ (Philippians 3:8-10)? We want you to know that HERE you are wanted and welcomed.
…Opportunities. We believe that God has given each person abilities that will only bring their highest joy when used for Him in His service (Matthew 25; 1 Corinthians 12). We want to aid every member of this Family here to find those gifts and use them in powerful and meaningful ways.
But try as we may, it is impossible to describe the spirit that IS Spring Meadows. Words cannot describe what you have to come feel and experience yourself. A warm welcome awaits you as soon as you walk through the doors! Home is where the heart is and you will find loving hearts here.
From our Family to you, Welcome to Spring Hill! What are you doing this Sunday? Why not make a stop that could change your life? We would be delighted to see you at 9:00 for worship – We’ll meet you at the door!

Better Questions...

Some questions followed by what I think might be better questions:

Why does evil exist? When I look at the self-serving, possession driven, me first culture I wonder more – Why does good exist? We are more prone to evil than good.
Why would a loving God send someone to hell (apart from the fact that he won’t – they will send themselves there) a better question might be how could a just God allow a human in heaven?
Why have I been given the opportunity to know God? But it might be better for me to ask why I seem content to let others be lost?
Why does the church sometimes lose the spirit of worship? But I'd rather ask why I don't spend every waking moment in praise and honor of God? How has the beauty of creation, the assurance of salvation, the wonder of life, and the promise of eternal life been lost in the mundane?
How can some people be ugly and dismissive of people around them? Rather ask: Why don't I spend my words encouraging, building up and guiding people closer to God?

Hope these don't sound cynical (that wasn't the intent) - just some thoughts...NOW, what are your better questions? I wait to hear. Post and let others read...