Top 10 Reasons I Think My Son is a Dog

1. He growls.

2. He thinks everything is a chew toy.

3. He travels on all fours.

4. He loves to eat dog food.

5. He licks to kiss.

6. He drools.

7. He stands by the back door hoping to be let outside.

8. He pants.

9. He would eat his own poo if we let him.

10. He is fascinated by the water in the toilet bowl.

Almost Famous

I had the honor of helping out once again at the Simply Youth Ministry Conference (once known as the National Youth Ministry Conference). It was held this year up in Chicago. Go Cubs (as long as you are not playing the Phillies!). It was a great weekend.

The highlight for me was reconnecting with the youth pastor of my youth, Mike Flavin. Twenty years ago (my 9th grade year) he moved from my church to the church he still serves in. Twenty years! 9th grade! And he recognized me! What does that say?

I recognized him as well, but I guessed wrong on his name. Finally, it hit me. We embraced. He told me in his thirty years of youth ministry I was by far his most annoying kid. Ha! How about that! In fact, I have been doing a lot of thinking about that - I think he was probably right.

Hopefully, time has changed my obnoxious ways (even if they have not changed my appearance).

He and his wife, Amy, and Lia and I had breakfast the next morning. Two hours later, I had to excuse myself to get to the session I was leading.

Ironically, the theme of the weekend was Legacy. I can't tell you how cool it was to be someone else's. To have Mike Flavin come and hear me speak, to be his fruit - man, I can't tell you...it was awesome.

True to theme, Lia and I spent Sunday night with Brian and Erin Amrich and their little one, Emerson. Brian picked us up at 5:30pm and took us to their apartment. It was 10:30pm before we knew it.

On the way back to the hotel room, a man held the elevator door for us. He was dressed like a rock star. Turned out he was. He said he played guitar. I said, "Cool. Sorry we missed the concert." He said, "Cool." I said, "How did it go?" He said, "We're rusty." I said, "Cool."

On the tenth floor, we both exited and parted ways. Two ladies passed and entered the open elevator. "Is that Ned?" I heard one say to the other. The other squealed. "Hi Ned!" they chimed.

I waved my hand, squeezed Lia's with the other. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the rock star...He had this look that said, "Who the hell was I riding in the elevator with? And why don't I know him?"

I guess every dog has his rock star moment...TobyMac.