The Heath Mullikin Project

Well, what a morning! Holy Week is off and running….
1. Talked to Lynda Pusey today and discovered that while in California she went jogging one morning. She was joined by some brothers who had a band performing at a festival. It just happened to be the Bacon brothers, yes, Kevin Bacon and his brothers. So, I shook her hand and now I am only two degrees from Kevin Bacon in real life. I still remain three degrees from him in movie life because I am in Eddie with Whoopi Goldberg who was in Ghost with Demi Moore who is in a Few Good Men with Kevin Bacon. Ever wonder how I got so good at this game? Check this out. In other Bacon news, I watched my first John Wayne movie the other day, El dorado. He’s always a hard one to figure, but James Caan was in the movie with him so now I have an easy out.
2. This week is packed with Maundy Thursday service, Dim the Lights on Friday, Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, REFUGE on Saturday night, sunrise service at 6 am Sunday, and then regular services. Mike and I voted to take Monday off so I will find a place to go and sleep.
3. For those of you in the south, we will be visiting the first week of April and we would love to see you.
4. Clemson made it to the ACC Championship game for the first time in my lifetime and was defeated by UNC. They just got beat. The refs called a fair game, UNC was just a better team. That’s tough for me to say. Let me also say that my respect for Tyler Hansbrough grew a lot. He may play harder than anyone I’ve ever seen. Not the most talented player I’ve ever watched, but the hardest working. I was making fun of his celebration dance after his game winner against Virginia Tech…until I found myself doing the same dance when Clemson had an early lead yesterday. The Tigers have a favorable bracket and I think they’ll go to the Sweet 16 before crushing all of my hopes and dreams. I’ll be honest, I’m a UNC-hater. I don’t care who wins as long as it’s not them.
5. Got lots of work to do so have a great week people!

Okay, I am ready to come clean. Well, as clean as I can get. There some reasons that my posts have been few and far between lately. Go ahead, call them excuses if you like, but I know they are all legitimate. So hear we go…
1. My mom always said that if you can’t say something nice then don’t say anything at all. That’s how I’ve felt for a few days. I had a post all ready that was going to talk about the past, reveal some details, and let out a good vent. Then a funny thing happened…I got over it. Not completely, but the words of a few of my favorite songs really helped.
“No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand”-In Christ Alone
“I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on and there will be an end to these troubles but until that days comes…still I will praise you, still I will praise you, Lord”-You Never Let Go
“Take this sinking boat and point it home we’ve still got time. Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice, you made it now.”-Falling Slowly
I think what I realized that even if people “got” to me that I was still in God’s hands. That anything bad or unfair that happened to me happened under His care, protection, and provision. No matter how alone we felt, it was just a feeling and not a fact.
2. There are details in our lives right now that we can’t reveal because of the timing. Now, timing is everything. Had I not glanced right when I did back in 1995 then I wouldn’t have seen my hot(soon-to-be)wife walking by. If not for that split second who know if we would have ever met, gotten married, and had three wonderful kids. Speaking of…
3. The girls are doing great. Milena got up to pee last night and said,”Daddy, is mommy in the bed? It’s really late. I want you to go to bed too.” Charis has had bad dreams the last few nights and nothing jerks you out of sleep like your child yelling your name. A hug and grape medicine seem to do the trick for now. Drake took 5 steps the other day. This boy is getting big. His hair is sooooo curly. We will be watching the Clemson game tonight. He slept through March Madness last year.
4. Karen has been working 20-25 hours a week so we are adjusting our schedules. I think we are talking more than we ever have which may go against the trend.
5. One of the girls on our street has been taking the girls to play on her trampoline in the afternoons. One day Charis fell on the way back and scraped her left knee. Yesterday, Milena fell and scraped her right knee. Kinda freaky.
6. I mentioned earlier that my dad had been named South Carolina Angus Association Member of the Year. They’re having their banquet this weekend and here are the details. He’s the member that the Futurity is being dedicated to. Now, let me be honest. I have no idea what that means or what half the site is talking about, but how many people’s fathers reach the peak of their profession. I am one proud son and regret I won’t be able to be there especially since they’re having steak.
7. MLB 08 the Show is fun on the PS2. Come on, what did you think I was doing while my wife was at work?
8. We don’t have the net at home right now so I’m limited on my posting times which explains the lack of 2 am postings lately.
Finally, thanks to my friend Matt for highlighting my blog.

I struggle about what to write today. Our church and town experienced a great tragedy on Wednesday when a family’s home burnt down and firefighter lost his life. The family attends our church on Sunday nights(they are active in another church as well where they are members), their kids are active in our youth group, and the firefighter has a cousin who attends our church. I have never seen anything like what I saw on Wednesday, both good and bad.
1. I am impressed by the brotherhood of firefighters. They share a unique bond. There were close to 50(probably more) volunteers who responded to the fire call which was caused by a power surge from a tree falling on some power lines. They risk their lives for strangers and sadly, one of their own paid the ultimate price. Some from our church had been in school with him and all of our lives have been touched by his sacrifice.
2. I am amazed at the lenghts the press will go to get a story. There were several near physical confrontations between the press and others at the fire. The firefighters tried to make it clear to the cameramen that they did not want any filming when several firefighters where being helped on stretchers and especially when the last man was pulled out. At that time, no one was sure of his condition and thankfully, out of respect(or threat of bodily harm), the cameramen set their equipment down for these moment. They also kept zooming in on the family and several of us tried to block their shots by moving between the cameras and the family. So several of us were on the news. They were also trying to get interviews and it was quite inappropriate at times. I know they have a job to do and a story to tell, but at some point people need to exercise some 1st Amendment sense.
3. I am in awe of God’s provision for this family. The house across the street was for sale and had been empty for over a year. The owner gave them the keys and told them they could stay there as long as they needed. By Thursday, the pantry was full, beds were being delivered, and people were chipping in a tangible ways. It says alot about this family that they began turning help away and requested that help be given to the fallen fire fighter’s family. They had the perspective to realize that the things they lost were only temporary.
4. Finally, it hit me that people would have many questions about this event. Primarily, “Why?” It occurred to me that it would be pastor’s like me that they would be looking to for answers. What a daunting task. Can you put into words how God works in all of this? Is there even an answer? I think the important thing was the ministry of presence. There were three pastors there on sight and we were doing what we could to help. However, sometimes all you can say is “I’m sorry.” It’s not a time for deep theological discussions. It’s a time to offer a hand, a hug, go grab people some lunch, get someone some water, and make sure everyone has someone to lean on. The questions will still be there, but the Lord knows when it’s time for answers and whether or not I need to be a part of that process for the families.
So, pray for these families. Pray that the two churches involved will share the love of Christ to a hurting community. And pray that THE answer will be clear, Christ himself.

1. I saw this picture the other day. Yes, that is the former President of the United States standing in the back of a pickup truck next to a rusted green trash barrel. Now, to me, this cements his “legacy.” He has come full circle. He spent his entire life trying to escape the trailer park and now…he’s standing in the back of a truck next to a rusted green trash barrel. Why is this a big deal? Well, it’s not if you or I were standing in the back of a truck next to a rusted green trash barrel. But this is the former PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES! Does this prove his love for Hillary that he would do this to campaign for her? All I know is, somebody got fired. Whoever planned this campaign stop is no longer planning campaign stops. It’s that simple. Also, do ya think the guy has enough Hillary magnets on his car?
2. Tony Morgan had some great thoughts on Facebook today. It’s under I’m about ready to say goodbye to facebook.
3. Some of you may know that Ric Flair is getting ready to retire. He’s got a big match at Wrestlemania against Shawn Michaels. I love Flair. I remember watching him as a kid at the Greenville Memorial Auditorium every Monday night. Here’s the thing though: Flair is at his best as a bad guy. However, fans love him so much that they would never boo him again. He still bends and breaks the rules, but the fans adore his every action. As a bonafide bad guy, he would be on the defensive for most of his matches. What made him great was his ability to make the other guy look great. Let’s face it, he doesn’t have much offense. It’s pretty much all chops now. The man is 59 years old so I’m willing to cut him some slack. I just know that his matches now lack something because he doesn’t get to play the role of the cowardly villain. I just want to see some Flair flops and him on his knees begging “Noooo.” He will be missed in the ring, but if they’re smart they’ll make him a manager and still let him on the mic every week. Wooo!
4. Yes, I still watch wrestling.
5. Check out my boy Jason’s blog. He’s raising support to go to Australia. He’s a cool cat who shares my love for comic books and all things Heroes. Show him some love.
6. Is there such a thing as an unofficial banishment?
7. Big contests today in Texas and Ohio. I believe McCain will go to bed tonight with the delegates to secure the Republican nomination while either Barack or Hillary will be wondering what happened to their campaign. Somehow, I think Hillary’s 3 am commercial worked. Of course, I never saw it as a commercial because she got free air time on all the news programs. This makes me think that there is something amiss. Frankly, I don’t want any of these 3 people answering any phones at 3 am. Besides, doesn’t the President have someone to answer his phone for him? I’d have to give the important calls a special ringtone or I would sleep right through them. Maybe I’d use the different national anthems.
8. Can’t wait to see the Star Wars exhibit at the Franklin Institute.
9. No one tell my wife that American Idol has been on. We haven’t started watching yet.
10. Have a great day everyone.

I know. I know. It’s been a week. Here’s what happened…
1. Tuesday-staff meeting and planning for Springlife series
2. Wednesday-Easter egg hunt meeting
3. Thursday-Day off with the kids while Karen was working. The day ended with a substandard meal at the TGIFriday’s on 202. No refills and bad food which lead to…
4. Friday and Saturday-me being sick(the streak has ended Seinfeld fans) and missing CLAM and a chance to hang with our teens, fellow youth pastors, and Scott Simmons.
5. Sunday-feeling better at church
6. Is it Monday already?
7. However, the weekend wasn’t a total waste. I picked up an amazing book called “Manhunt” on the 12 day search for John Wilkes Booth. I have been a Lincoln fan since discovering in 4th grade that someone related to me through marriage claimed to be related to John Wilkes Booth. I’ve been intrigued ever since. This book showed me just how much I didn’t know about the whole affair and how much I did know was wrong. It reads like a novel, but is historical in content. My head is still reeling and I’m planning on doing the tour of the sites in DC soon.
8. Picked up the soundtrack to “Once” which is great. We started watching the movie, but turned it off after the 5th f word in the first minute. It took me that long to walk to the TV. No joke. This is why my wife doesn’t like my movie choices. The movie is based in Ireland, but do Irish people really talk like that?
9. I had a strange dream about hell the other night. I dreamed that there was a specific demon responsible for some tragedy(I can’t remember the name even though I reminded myself in the dream to remember the name after I woke up). In hell, people we chained in rows. I could see, but it was to dark for them to see. They were in physical torment and this demon’s job was to belittle everyone. He was going from person to person saying,”You’re worthless…You’re so stupid.” I felt bad even as an observer of what was happening. Hell will be an eternity of being physically, mentally, and emotionally broken down with no relief in sight and the knowledge that there was a better choice to be made in life. Now, I have no clue how any of this tied into the rest of my dream, I just know I was doing some sort of investigation. I think our dreams are more vivid when we’re sick. At least mine are.
10. After watching TV all day Friday and Saturday while sick…there is nothing on. We just keep flippin and hopin. We are all a bunch of morons when it comes to this. Let’s read a book, play with our kids, talk to our spouses(maybe do more than talk), but we gotta stop the cycle of going through all these channels when nothing is on. What’s worse is when I watch 5 minutes of 10 shows in an hour.
Finally, I’m in Wal-Mart yesterday and I hear my cashier talking (to 2 co-workers but not to me) about Torrie and how Torrie is going to do what she wants to do and yada yada. I noticed her nametag…”Torrie”. Is our society at the point that not only can millionaire athletes talk about themselves in the 3rd person, but so can Wal-Mart cashiers? Needless to say, Heath is going to write what he wants to write.

Sorry for the delay. Got a lot to get to so….
1. I wasn’t going to watch the Oscars last night but caught the last 2 hours. A comment I made over and over…”That’s why the oscars suck.” The highlight for me was the song Slowly Falling that won best song. I am buying it on Itunes today! What a great song from a movie I’ve never heard of and that’s why the oscars suck every other year. I had not seen any of the best picture nominees nor do I know anyone else who has. (Note to directors: Casting Daniel Day-Lewis is automatic Oscar recognition. The man is amazing.) 3 songs from Enchanted? I did like it when Jon Stewart brought the female singer back out and she gave a heartfelt speech. It was weird how they used the troops to introduce the short documentary award and then the feature documentary award featured two anti-war films and one anti-US films. I want to get a little deeper into what the winner said about his dad being a Navy interrogator. More on that. I will just say that thinking about it spawned some questions for Sean Hannity that kept me up thinking half the night(or maybe it was the late night spaghetti). Anyway, more on that tomorrow.
2. I lost 5 pounds last week, but blew my eating plan on Sunday because of schedule and stuff. Ate a bad dinner way too late. I am trying to regulate my diet and then start the exercise part. I have done a lot of exercise before without changing my diet and the Mountain Dew eventually catches up with me so this time I’m doing it differently.
3. Lots going on this week with planning the Easter Egg hunt, the Springlife sermon series, and CLAM on Saturday. Luckily, lots of people are pitching in. Plus, Dim the Lights coffee house starts Friday night. It is going to be awesome!
4. These are two actual conversations I had with my family last night that are sitcom material.
I got home from church last night and Charis and Milena were in the recliner together watching TV. I knelt in front of them and said hello.
Milena: Daddy, Drake is gonna have a beard like you on his lip when he grows up.
Heath: Yes, he is. Do you like daddy’s beard?
Charis: No.
Heath: Why?
Charis: Because you look like a cat.
Heath: With whiskers?
Charis: Yeah.
Heath: Milena, what about you?
Milena: No, I don’t like it. It scratches my face.
Karen(walking in from the kitchen): How do you think I feel?

Then, this is what transpired between Karen and I later while watching the Oscars in bed:
Heath: Did you hear that Jennnifer Lopez had her twins?
Karen: Do you know what she named them?
Heath: No.
Karen: She named them Peach and Pear.
Heath: What are you talking about?
Karen: Yeah, she named them Peach and Pear so they could play with Apple(a reference to Gwinneth Paltrow’s daughter).
Heath: Are you serious? Where did you read that?
Karen: I just made that up.
Heath: No, you didn’t. Really? I’m giving you props on my blog tomorrow for that.
Karen: Who’s she married to? Julio Iglesias?
Heath: No, Marc Anthony, but at least you got the genre right?
Karen: Genre?
Heath: Yeah, how many hispanic singers do we know?
Unison: Ricky Martin.
Priceless.