Why I Love Mississippi

Just today I was asked why I love Mississippi. It is not that I don't realize that everybody is from somewhere, but being from Mississippi means something. And when I say it means something I don't mean to the person who actually is from Mississippi, I meant to everybody else! I learned this when I was younger and went with my parents and my brother to Jackson, Wyoming. We walked in to a restaurant and the hostess offered to seat us. Upon opening my mother's mouth to offer a gracious Southern thank you, the hostess replied back, "Yoouu'rrreee, waaahhlcooomme, maaa'aaam!" We simply have an accent unlike any place on earth. I mean essentially if you are British, Australian or Southern and speak the English language, you are going to stand out.

But standing out because you speak differently is not always a good thing I realize. Some people think you are slow thinking when you are slow speaking. For those folks in that category, I have one simple piece of advice: If somebody you meet offers in a humble, gracious apology that he is just a dumb country boy, just know you are about to get a colloquial screwing! Southerners and especially Mississippians have brought some of the best musicians to the world and some of the greatest writers. Not only do we know how to read, but a few of us can even write, as they say.

Here it goes:

I love Mississippi because we have four seasons, the winter's are mild and snow is rare but the air is cool enough to remind us that we are thankful for those few months because the summer sun is coming and we are going to get hot. Hotter than a coon dog after a Saturday night hunt to use a metaphor. Or better yet, hot, humid and soaking wet from perspiration which makes linen and seersucker infamously popular and socks less than mandatory between Easter and Labor Day.

I love Mississippi because fashion is dictated by the weather and the crops we grow. Cotton is king and if you ever hear someone mention Skiing Mississippi they only mean they were in a cotton field all day! The women dress more revealing the hotter it gets and the boys are thankful for the heat.

In Mississippi a bed is usually a flat bed as in pick up truck. Every family owns at least one truck or at the very least an SUV because we like to carry stuff! Tools, wood, scraps, Wal-Mart bags, they all go in and aren't hurried out. The best way to get your girl close to you is to have a middle seat for her to sit and that only happens in a pick up truck!

I love Mississippi because we are in touch with hardships and reality gives us a sense of humor. Nobody knows what the world is like, like we do. We are in touch with ourselves. Why? Because we know what it is like to feel pain. We work hard. We don't expect anything to be given to us and we talk about our circumstances. Nobody can tell a story like a person from Mississippi. Story telling means capturing the broader message, the one that looks inside your soul and asks the dark question that nobody wants to admit. We don't have anything to lose and even if we did, we would be willing to lose it. We are earthy and familiar with our roots. The land is part of us even as our agrarian society fades, we know where we came from.

Nobody told stories like Faulkner and Ms. Welty was pretty good too! People from all over the world read about folks from the rural world of our State and the conflicts we faced. They were amazed. They stood in awe. Sometimes that we did what we did but always because we endured and grew and got better. A walk through Mississippi today would remind you of the past in many ways. So many buildings and roads and customs have not changed, but the people have. Once a segregated society, people of all races and creeds who live in the same communities are friends who eat together, work together, and play together. Mississippi's new found tolerance is a contrast from forty years ago and a testimony to the love of the human heart.

I love Mississippi because you don't have to wear shoes if you don't want to. But even better, if you are like me and my granddad before me, you can wear Italian Ferragamo shoes and look right nice without getting any comments, except maybe from my dad who knows nothing about fashion!

I love Mississippi because we have a coastline, an agrarian delta, the piney woods and the northern hills. Four distinct universes. The Appalachian region is rooted in custom and religion even some superstitions. The Delta is the most fertile farmland in the world and is the home of the Blues, the root of all modern music. The pines are a strong people who are true and honest and self-reliant. After Katrina, the world now knows how much our Coast residents are filled with love and strength and without a complaint they keep on moving forward at all costs.

I love Mississippi because it has a heart and a soul. Only Elvis could go on stage in front of national television and gyrate his hips in the 1950's. He got away with it because he was not trying to start a movement or create a cause or play the victim. He was just a small town American boy that wanted to "boogy". And did he ever. Now the King of rock n'roll, there is none more widely known and loved all over the world, even today, than Elvis.

Only B.B. King, an African-American blues musician could take a form of music that was so raw and so pure in both its rhythm and its lyrics, while at first singing only before African-American listeners, and spread it to the world, influencing such greats as Bono of U2. The King of the Blues can lay down on Lucille, his guitar, even now in his 80's as good as anyone that has ever been seen. Saying humbly on video footage in Rattle and Hum "I don't know what to do there" with Bono replying "Is that a joke!?" No, just an artist whose creativity is so unique and unchallenged that he is always looking for new guitar licks and ways to make music more enjoyable to its listeners.

Only Jerry Rice or Walter Peyton could have the kind of grace that made them look like they were floating as they raced across the football fileds with the bright lights and huge crowds in the National Football League.

And Morgan Freeman with his soothing voice and easy-going style that graces the big screen. Need I say more?

From Mississippi, you will find ordinary people who do what everybody else seems to be doing but in extraordinary ways. In recent years, we have made vast improvements in race relations and job growth and such, but we have also had our setbacks. Hurricane Katrina ravaged our Gulf Coast but could not break our spirit. We are building back and have met many new friends from around the world who have assisted us in doing so. We hope you take the message of the Mississippi people back to where you live and keep a special place in your heart for us.

There is much left to be done and we are going to accomplish our goals of better education for all our children, better jobs for their parents, and a better life for all of us. We welcome those who want to reach out to us and support us in our efforts. We need new folks to tell our stories to. And we love to recruit others to say the word "y'all"!

God bless Mississippi!

A blog posted by my church that I wrote in 2007 for our church newsletter

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Stewardship Thought from Quentin Whitwell

Getting in the habit of taking a portion of our income and placing those funds in an envelope to drop in the offering plate on a regular basis is an important step toward spiritual maturity. This exercise produces a freedom in living for Christ that can feel as if we are “wildly” giving to God money that He can use and we have no control over. What an amazing feeling to give away without any ability to direct that money to our own self-motivated plans. Of course, the funds our church receives are wisely spent by our church elders who fervently pray for the wisdom to distribute those tithes for God’s glory.

But, for us as individuals, an even greater conviction on our heart should not be what has happened to the money we have offered but what we have done with everything else we have. In this passage (I Chronicles 29:11-12) we learn that everything is the Lord’s. Clearly, we realize that no matter how much or how little money we actually place in the offering plate at the Sunday service, God has control and dominion over every single item that we call “ours”. Digging deeper, we learn in verse 14 that all things actually come to us straight from God. Our “things” were sent from Him. Further, in verse 15 we learn more.

The blessings of God to us were given to us as “pilgrims” or “temporary residents”. In heaven we will be gifted with eternal prizes as we stand before Him who we served while on earth. At FPC Jackson we all are being given a chance to prove our self worthy of having served Christ with all our heart. We are not to horde up a stash of goods for our own pleasure but to serve God and others in love without regard for the cost. Instead, we should commit our resources to advance God’s kingdom through our gifts, our service and our witness. As we set our financial priorities, we should always include our tithe to the Lord in our household budget.

Everyone’s circumstances are different, and for many folks their financial status tends to vary from year to year. In tough times, tithing is important because we are demonstrating our faith in the Lord that He will continue to provide for us even when our revenues seem lean to us. But good times can be even more difficult in some ways. Is it not true that there are times when our clothing allowance or golf expense account can put us to shame? Serving Christ by asking “How would you have me use my car(s), my home, my clothes, my life and all I have to better serve you, as those things are Yours already, O Lord?” would be a good first question for us all to ponder.

(Look at this cheerful giver! Ha.) - Added

We are pilgrims and God has provided us gifts which are really His, and we should let go of them more often. This week, take some time to reflect on the many ways God has used your generosity for the advancement of His kingdom. Give more and watch God bless the gift and the giver in ways we never imagined!

By Quentin Whitwell

Posted by Jeremy Smith at 10:19 AM

The Haney Project

Everyone knows that Charles Barkley has the worst swing in golf. Think about that statement for a minute. Charles Barkley is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He could set up a post better than anybody ever seen. Now he is trying to improve his golf game. The first question is why golf? The answer to that question is easy. Golf is the game of a lifetime. No matter how old or young, golf is a sport for everyone and golf teaches you about life. Charles Barley, as a retired athlete, needs a release. His outlet has been reported to be gambling at times and golf is a much better means of spending his time. In golf, you have good friendships, good conversations, good times, and a strong challenge.

But a broader question remains about Charles. How did he get like this? I mean, Charles Barkley is a great athlete and an athlete that can shoot a ball can swing a club, right? Well, to address this question one has to go back to the folks that have played golf with Charles over the years. They all say he used to have a good swing. At some point, after playing all the celebrity tournaments and goofing around, he picked up the famous "hitch". This hitch is a jerking halt in his swing after he begins his downswing to hit the ball.

There is a debate among his friends. Is the hitch in his swing mental or fundamental? Some would say that he does not swing smoothly because he has too much going on in his head during the swing and that mentally he is apprehensive about hitting the ball in a full range motion. Others would say that his problem is that as he swings, he realizes that he is not headed in the right plane to make proper contact so he is hitting the brakes and trying to hit the ball. Ask Tiger's coach Hank Haney and all he will say is that he thought he could have fixed him by now. Mechanically, Barkley is not doing the right things so the hitch does not appear to be a mental case of the yips. But after hitting thousands of balls and seeing sprees in which Barkley hits some of the best shots one could ever dream to see, when the hitch appears out of nowhere, you have to wonder.

Should Barkley begin to question if this hitch is trying to tell him something about himself? Should he just give up golf and find another outlet? Or should he face down his demons and get his house in order, golf and otherwise? I don't know, but having watched this televison show on the Golf Channel religiously so far, I know this to be true. I have never seen a more likeable and humorous guy.

Literally, if I could have dinner with any living person that I have never had dinner with before, I think I would pick him. He is hilarious, does not take him self too seriously and is always in good spirits even when he has bad days. You will join me, if you watch The Haney Project, in rooting Charles Barkley on and hoping that Hank Haney can fix his swing! I hope to see Charles in a celebrity tournament soon, swinging smooth and scoring low.

Good luck Charles!

Ole Miss - from James Meredith to Barack Obama

In 1991 when I showed up to the University campus just one mile from my parent's house, I had no idea what I was becoming a part of. I was 18, from Mississippi and going to a local college that was rumored to have many attractive co-eds. Sure, I was ambitious and hoping to get involved in campus politics, make good grades and find lifelong friends, but Ole Miss was not the special name then that it has become to me and many others. What is encouraging about this realization is that Ole Miss is not what it used to be but it also has a nostalgia that will not be forgotten (in a good, elegant sort of way). And thousands from other nationalities and states have discovered the wonder of being an Ole Miss graduate.

On the right, you see an up and coming eighth generation Mississippian who is looking more and more like an Ole Miss Rebel everyday!

In the photo on the left is my wife and me on the night that Barack Obama debated John McCain. The subject was to be foreign policy but John McCain had just one day prior threatened to not attend the debate because he needed to go to Washington to fix the financial crisis. This holier than thou attitude cost him in the debate but cost him even bigger back in smalltown, Mississippi where the public sentiment grew from rural Republican to join the Obama campaign rather quickly. When Obama got to Oxford, surely he had thoughts of William Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha and the colorful fictional characters he wrote about (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoknapatawpha_County), being inspired by his neighbors.

But could Obama not also have thought about James Meredith, the sole African-American who deeply aspired to a college education, so much so, that when faced with being turned away by the University, was escorted in by the National Guard and not without incident? What a flood of memories that could erupt from one's mind as you stroll down the Ole Miss campus not far from the tombs of Confederate soldiers who fought for the South, a slavery state. Right where you see us, we sat on that balcony watching as thousands more watched just below on a huge screened television as the candidates debated, just down the street is the performing arts center on University Avenue. And just down from there? A statue of James Meredith walking through a 17-foot-tall limestone portal with the inscribed words "courage," "perseverance," "opportunity" and "knowledge."

At a ceremony commemorating this event and introducing the statue, Mississippi resident and actor Morgan Freeman had these words to say, "Mississippi is a much better state today because of James Meredith, and this is a much better university. Thank you, Mr. Meredith."

When I was in college, Chris Rock appeared at Fulton Chapel (because we did not have the beautiful hall known as a performing arts center) and he opened with this line, "Oooollee Miissss. I sure hope this is New Miss or (use your imagination!). . . ."

Well guess what, Mr. Rock! President Obama has been there and the changes we made and the successes we had over the years are now shaping up to prove that Ole Miss is new and improved but it is still OLE MISS!

Power Tripping over Youth Athletics

Here in Jackson, Mississippi parents obsess over sports much like most anywhere in America. Yesterday, our team had an experience that most people can relate to at some level. And I learned a lesson, that sometimes in life you will be completely unable to make sure the right thing is done. When it relates to children, seeing their confused and disappointed faces, people in control of the circumstances should exercise their power in a responsible way.

Here is the background. At North Jackson Youth Baseball league we have a Commissioner - BB (K and 1st grade) who selects the teams, coaches his own team who he selects himself while the others are done randomly, and sends e-mails to the coaches defining and sometimes redefining the "rules" of the game. The following rules apply to the scenario I am going to provide, but bear in mind that the league's website does not even post rules for the K and 1st and these rules apply to the age group just above:

27. The umpire is in complete charge of the game once it starts. No protest shall be
considered on a decision involving an umpire's judgment.

43. On all overthrows in fair territory, the ball is in play and base runners can advance as
many bases as desired, but he will advance each base at his own risk. On an overthrow out of
play (over, under or lodged in the fence or into the dugout), the runner shall be awarded the next base at no risk (one base only).

The 8 year old abbreviated rules state: 12. Overthrows - in play - the ball is alive and the runners can advance as many bases as desired at their own risk.

Here is what happened. Our team knew going in that we were playing the toughest team in the league. They were undefeated and we had just recently lost our first game. We like to win too but knew that this game would be tough to win. The team is undefeated because they are stacked. Literally, the commissioner of the league gets to coach his own team, select the players he wants and let the rest of the teams be chosen by random selection. I had heard from other coaches who have played this team that the coach uses his title as commissioner to influence the games but what I saw at this game took my breath away.

In the first inning at bat, our player gets a good hit and the ball is overthrown to the first baseman. As the first base coach, I sent the batter on around to second. Because the ball was not yet fielded and had been lying at the fence line, our third base coach called the runner to third, as he rounded third he remembered our teaching him that he could only take one base so he began to walk back to second. Meanwhile, the short stop has been thrown the ball by the first baseman and he tags the runner who is casually making his way back to second.

The umpire does not call the player out. But the commissioner/coach matter of factly tells the 6 year old to head back to the dugout as he is out. He begins to comply when our head coach attempts to discuss the situation with the other coach. Our position was simple. We know that a man off base can be tagged out but when you are only given one base and you go back, the play is dead and the player remains at second. The commissioner says he has sent multiple e-mails to the coaches articulating the "at your own risk" portion of taking an extra base. Of course, if our player had been tagged out on his way to second, that aspect of the rule would have applied. Although not explained this way during the heat of the moment, I have since had friends with children in the league say that the "at your own risk" portion could also include meaning that an attempt to go beyond one base is an error on the runners part and therefore places him at risk of being tagged. My issue with that explanation is, then why is there a limit of one base. Once you get to the one base, then the play should be dead.

Bootom line to the madness is that it must be nice to be judge, jury and executioner! When a six year old is caught in the middle of this display of who controls a youth game, the question becomes not one of who is in charge but who should be in charge of overseeing the development of our youth. Responsibility is critical to those who have been placed in positions of authority. Unfortunately, in this case we could do nothing about the circumstances. I feel like our team is at the very least owed an apology and a reprimand of the commissioner/coach for his abuse of power should be in order. Further, the board should consider the inherent conflict of interest in being commissioner of the league one coaches. Additionally, people requesting to hold these positions should be screened. Being that adamant about an out is a signal of a person's inner motives and being in charge of children that young requires exercising judgment as it relates to gray areas. This rule is clearly vague and the ruling was like killing a gnat with a sledge hammer.

For the record, this is my impression of the situation and other viewpoints are welcome. I do not have any personal realtionship with the parties I describe and if placed in another situation may find them to be endearing. Being in the position of trying to defend our head coach and teammates, arguing our point felt necessary at the time. But my greater point as to the broader issues needs to be addressed and is the real purpose of this blog. I hope my point will be considered.

Successes and Failures - "Dupree-ness!"

It is often mentioned that Abraham Lincoln failed many times in attempts to run for public office until he successfully became President. And young children are often reminded that if at first they don't succeed, try, try, again. But is it not true that the people we look to as success stories, even when they were not that successful, they were adamant in their cause? Determination carries you further than most any other attribute. One missing consideration is what one should say to the unmotivated to bring them around. Those are the success stories that are rare but need to be told. I was at a dinner this winter when one of the most articulate, bright people I have ever known stood up to tell us a little bit about himself. He began with family problems as a child, dropping out of high school, doing drugs while attending a local community college. After time to re-assess his direction and some intervention from people he respected, he ended up a Harvard graduate and a professor.

We all go through phases where we do not believe in ourselves and lose direction and focus. But those moments are rarely admitted to. Therefore, they are not discussed. While we galdly hear the stories of people's successes after much effort and pain to get there, we often lose sight of our humanity. We want to glorify who we are and feel important. A wise person once told me that the definition of confidence was "the last thought you have before reality sets in". I think we need to remember that one.

Even the people who are on their "A" game and are professional, polished, and nothing short of sensational have moments of weakness that we just don't see. And people who we notice that seem desperate and weak, who are not motivated and do not seem to care enough to get out there and make something happen for themselves - well, those folks may be the next entrpreneur, business owner, or published author. Truth is we do not know. As I sit and write this I am having the flashback to the movie You, Me and Dupree when Owen Wilson's character becomes a motivational speaker after a series of gaffes and stints at unemployment. I hear that speech in my mind of finding your "-ness"! We actually do need more of those stories that encourage the people who see no future to get a vision and to realize they can go as far as anyone else ever did.

Let's remember our humanness, that we are not perfect, and quit trying to climb over everybody in front of us. Let's take time to support others and help them catch a dream they may never before have even known they could pursue. There is more talent out there than people who believe they have talent. Maybe some action of ours will motivate someone else to be and do and think better things and be better people. I love the stories of determination, they ring true for me in many ways, under many circumstances that I have battled. But be honest with yourself. You had that moment of darkness, when you thought you could not keep moving. You once considered being useless and worthless and the value you have to society is much greater if you help others get past that wall too.

Mortgage Banking Business

The federal government's intrusion into the lending business is simply put, sending out a message that banks should quit lending. Having a 5 percent retainage by the borrowing lender on each loan will destroy the industry. Additionally, by determining the compensation rate of mortgage loan originators, some of the industry's most professional and successful originators will leave the business. Moving toward a treatment of all bankers as criminals does no one any good but furthers the rift between the government and the private sector. The warehouse lending issues are the root of our major problems especially since so few people are knowledgeable on the Hill as to how loans are really funded. Our state mortgage bankers association is trying to work with our congressional leaders to prevent the laissez faire mentality that caused this mess while not overregulating. The industry is in a mess but we must all stay at the table and fix the problems.

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People

So this guy has his own postmodern magazine ripping up everyone to shreds with sarcasm, humor and demeaning critiques. This obsession of the Stars with a twist of being true to himself makes him brilliant. Brilliant to the point that in New York, this British writer is noticed by the famed editor of Sharps magazine. He leaves his bloody fax machine behind for the Times Square infatuation of the elite, his Shangri-La. But being at Sharps is not what it seems. At least not in his mind where he viewed his opportunity as a chance to express himself in ways he never thought he would have the chance. Instead, he is told to channel his work load toward pleasing everyone so they are pleased with him. Then he will be successful and keep the magazine a success. Of course, as he seeks and is ultimately sought by a beautiful actress, he realizes the girl of his dreams is the simple beauty of the girl in the cubicle next to him when he was nothing, from Port Huron. Now, to get her back requires facing down the ones he has always aspired to be a part of and owning up to his true self. Can he do that without losing that distinctive clutzy eccentricity? Watch the movie! You will bust your gut from laughing so hard (if your IQ is over 100). . . .

Blogging, a new adventure!

I set this blog thing up months ago and thought I had lost my mind . . . until I read my wife's (yes, that one!) blog. Ginger is not the blogger, not because she can't write. She is an exceptional writer. Typically, however, she does not embrace technology until I instigate her doing so. But lately she is on a role. First Facebook, now this. Oh my! The Whitwell house is getting frisky.

So, I read your blog Babies and now I have my own for rebuttal! Beware. . . .