My Friend, Bob Stromberg

Bob Stromberg has the best shadow puppet bit you will ever see.  This is a piece that could only come from his slightly warped mind.  I’ve been privileged over the years to have shared the stage with him many times as well as bring him in to do some very special events.  Bob was a great mentor for me right out of college and a very wise voice and tall tree in my life.  Enjoy this video.  Stay committed to it, the payoff is priceless.

S.P.M.R.

Independence Day and the “fourth”

Okay, I think I finally became a grumpy old man.

I was listening to “Morning Edition” on National Public Radio this week (yes, I know, that already makes me sound old) and there was this continued reference to our nation celebrating the fourth of July.  Well, that just gets me going.

Now maybe I’m nitpicking here, but I’m not celebrating the fourth of July anymore than I am today celebrating the third of July.  I will, however, be celebrating and commemorating Independence Day tomorrow.

Why is this important to me and why was I bothered by it?  To put it in the most simple defense, we are the architects of language and we have the opportunity to raise the bar of how language can and should be used.  For instance, the longer we use “fourth of July” to represent such an important moment in United States history, the more we strip from our language the reference to the monumental events that resulted in the independence of the United States from England.

This same kind of bastardization of language is what has brought us people who say “supposably”,  “irregardless”, and “guesstimate”.  Seriously now, if you needed to have work done on your heating and air conditioning would you trust the guy who gave you an “estimate” or a “guesstimate”.

So there it is.  I stand before you the latest to turn into a curmudgeon.  I hope you have a Happy Independence Day and that you pass on a similar greeting to others tomorrow.  I know it is an uphill battle, but I ask you join me in the fight.  Else we shall be wishing each other a “Merry 25th of December” come Winter…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

Contact:
Randy Bonifield
www.randybonifield.com/blog

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Randy Bonifield Announces He Will NOT Be Entering 2008 NBA Draft

At a press conference in his hometown of Overland Park, Kansas, Randy Bonifield announced today he will not be entering the draft along with University of Kansas players Darrell Arthur, Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers, Sasha Kaun, Darnell Jackson, Rodrick Stewart, and Russell Robinson.  Instead, Bonifield vowed to focus on improving his game and preparing for the next level when “the time is right”.

“I just don’t feel I’m ready at this point,” he announced to the press in his prepared statement.  “I feel I have a lot more to accomplish and improve on before I take it to the next level.”  Citing previous early entry mistakes by such major stars as Jaron Rush, Kelenna Azubuike, and Winston Kennedy, Bonifield gave good reason for his waiting.

“I still have four years of eligibility and I think it’s better to use that eligibility, improve my game, and enjoy this time of my life before moving on to the ‘big time’.  Additionally, I enjoy the attention I am getting at this level.  The NBA and its millions can wait.  I’ve got to think about what’s best and not give in to the pressure of the financial windfall.  It’s pretty cool being the ‘Big Man On Campus’.  I figure, you know, why give that up?”

1,005 Smooth Stones

Kevin Harlan (no…not that Kevin Harlan) is the pastor of congregational life at my church, Christ Community Church in Leawood, Kansas.  This past week, he put together a video for our Sunday worship service dealing with non-essential differences between Christians.   The result is the video posted below.  A couple things you should know as you watch it:

• our pastor, Tom Nelson, wrote a book several years ago titled Five Smooth Stones;
• in the opening, the guy standing at the toolbox is our facilities manager;
• in our spiritual formation classes, we highlight quite a bit the Great Invitation found in Matthew 11:28-30 (”Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…” -v.29);
• we have a second campus in Olathe that utilizes video sermon delivery on a one-week delay.

This is a funny piece.  We’re going to miss you while you are on your sabbatical, Kevin.