How much does a piece of Justin Timberlake’s half eaten French toast go for? $3,000

What is the value of a clump of Elvis Presley’s hair…or a lock of Justin Bieber’s hair? The Elvis clump went for $115,000 and the Bieb’s…$42,668. Sorry Biebs!

Want to buy a jar containing the “exhaled breath” of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie? It set one fan back $500.

A piece of bubble gum chewed and spit out by Britney Spears sold for $160.

And a tissue allegedly used by Scarlett Johansson was bought for $5,300 on eBay.

Call me old school, call me out of touch, call me what you want…but I just don’t get the idolization of celebrities in our culture.

After reading this value study from the book ‘Fame Attack’ by Christopher Rojek…I couldn’t help but wonder: What is the value of a Father who is lovingly engaged in the life of his kids? Priceless right?

So this Sunday is Father’s Day. And if you know a Dad who is giving his best and fighting hard to be a loving and engaged Dad…make sure you cheer him on this weekend. More than we would ever let you know…we Dads need to know our efforts are being noticed and making a difference.

 Dear Cypress Family and Friends,

The first e-mail warning from the City of Safety Harbor yesterday couldn’t have been any clearer:

Tropical storm Andrea is going to skirt our coast and in the process, 30+ knot winds from the south will blow water into the Safety Harbor marina and we should expect high tide to be at least 2 foot above normal…so make sure you get down to your boat and check your lines.

The second e-mail warning let us know a boat in the bay had broken loose from its mooring and was headed into the marina…(yikes…an untethered boat during a storm in a marina is demolition pinball!)…but the Safety Harbor Fire Department intervened and was able to secure the boat before the worst case scenario could play out. (whew!)

First chance, I rolled up my pant legs, waded out onto the submerged docks and with the help of a friend made a couple of minor adjustments on my boat lines and sail cover. Secure anchor and dock lines are always important but they really, really matter in a storm.

The time to check and secure your boat lines…career boat lines…financial, marital or spiritual boat lines is before a storm hits. Warning: Life is full of storms…check your lines.

“…the three things I cannot change are the past, the truth, and you.”

When I read this quote by author Anne Lamott I thought…”h-h-m-m-m-m I for one have been unsuccessful at bringing true change to any of those three”. The past pretty much is what it is, right? As for the truth, I’ve played with it, twisted it and stretched it but in the end it always comes back to being…well…the truth. And then there is dear ole you, yep you. My how I have tried to change you. I’ve encouraged, challenged, bribed and chided and when things were all said and done you reverted back to you! How dare you be you! So at the end of the day the reality is that only you and God can change you.

But what about our current circumstances or situation? Are they unalterable or over-come-able?

How about tomorrow? Is it really a fate that happens to us…or is it something God invites us to join Him in creating?

How you answer these questions greatly determines what you are willing to attempt. What risks you are willing to take. What dreams you will entertain, your out-look and attitude. Decide wisely…it is your life you are shaping…your one and only life.

The guy was long on mouth and short on ears.

This week I got ambushed by a man who was wanting me to use Cypress to promote his product. (By the way that pretty much almost NEVER works out.) The guy started out talking at about 10,000 rpm’s and then really ramped things up from there. At one point I literally called a timeout and asked a question. Before I could even finish, he interrupted me and launched full speed back into his diatribe. Totally ignoring my inquiry. It was as if I had asked about the green grass and he responded by saying “let me tell you about the blue sky”. Those of you who know me already know how the story ends…

Here’s something good sales people know: when somebody asks something there is usually a reason.

If you are going to be great at sales you realize that every single time a potential customer says something you have to listen. You don’t have to necessarily go a new direction or get totally side-tracked, but you do have to acknowledge their question and respond to it.

Simply returning to your sales pitch and hoping they forget their question is not good salesmanship. (Nor is it a good way to communicate your faith to others.)

By the way, for what it’s worth, the guy was pushing something regarding the country of Haiti. He was so determined to educate me from his few trips to the island that he failed to discover I’ve been working with our partners there for over ten years. And the people he was “dis-ing” to make his sale, are really good people. Now, I’m certainly no expert on issues in Haiti, but after a decade of serving alongside our partners there…I know when someone is blowing smoke up places I don’t want smoke being blown up. I hope the guy gets it someday…he has a great idea.

Anybody besides me who can remember as a kid using a daisy as a sort of “diviner’s tool”?

The process worked like this: A) There was somebody you had a secret crush on…but you weren’t sure if that attraction was reciprocated on their part. B) You didn’t have what it took to ask them out-right nor did you want to risk the rejection of passing on a “Do you like me, check yes or no note”. C) So you conducted a “Daisy Divining”.

For the uninformed, a “Daisy Divining” happens by pulling a near by daisy from the ground and then you proceed to pluck the first petal and say “She (or he) loves me” then you pluck the next petal and say “She (or he) loves me not” and you continue plucking and alternating between “loves me”, “loves me not” until you reach the last and fateful petal that divines the true feelings of the object of your secret affection. Okay, so it is not very scientific and no relational councilor would ever recommend such a tactic (and neither would this Pastor by the way) but when you are young and timid and desperate…you’ll try most anything including shorting the life span of an unsuspecting nearby flower.

Ever wonder if somebody really loved you or not? Maybe secretly or maybe out loud you questioned if a parent really loved you or was just stuck with you? Or if a spouse really loved you or was just going through the motions? Or if the person of your affection really loved you or was simply using you? Sort of a horrible thought to even entertain isn’t it?

Ever wonder that about God? I’ve come to the definitive conclusion He loves me…period. If you are not as confident when it comes to God and you…then I truly hope you pursue knowing Him to deeper and deeper levels until your soul becomes as convinced as mine. It is a wonderful, freeing and life giving reality.