My memories of Memorial Day while growing up in Upstate New York are of Spring in full bloom and signs of warm summer weather approaching, a few more weeks of school (we didn’t get out till the middle of June), the first downtown parade of the year, the Indy 500 on the radio and full anticipation of an unruly summer vacation. Well, the last part never happened because my dad saw to it that we kids were busy doing something constructive, keeping us out of trouble. Anyway, Memorial Day never really meant much to me, I guess because I had no personal stake in death due to war. I only remember my mother speaking about her brother never returning from WWII with no recorded loss, just “Missing In Action”. His memory lived in a picture hanging on the wall, in honor, at grandmas house, with no known grave site to visit. At the risk of sounding bitter, at my High School graduation many of the males in the class were going to war and it was only a matter of time that the draft would catch up to most of us and like it or not, Uncle Sam would be steering the direction of life for a period of time. I’ve pondered the thought of where I would be and what I would be doing today if it weren’t for war, but I don’t worry about it, because I know I’m right where God wants me to be.
If there’s anything good in war it would be learning survival disciplines which carry over into whatever one involves themselves in the rest of their life. Fred and his wife Edna went to the state fair every year. Every year Fred would say, “Edna, I sure would like to fly in one of them there airplanes.” Edna would reply, “I know Fred, but it’s ten dollars to ride and ten dollars is ten dollars.” Finally, one year Fred said, “Edna, I’m 71 years old. If I don’t ride that airplane this year I may never get another chance.” Edna reminded Fred, “But ten dollars is ten dollars.” The pilot overheard the little spat and said, “Folks, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take you both up for a ride, if you promise to not say one word the entire ride. Added to that, if you’re quiet the whole ride I won’t charge you the ten dollars.” Fred and Edna agreed, and up they went. The pilot did every stunt in the book, twice, but never heard a sound out of his passengers. After landing the pilot turned to Fred and said, “By golly, I did everything I could think of to get you to yell out, but you didn’t.” Fred replied, “Well, I was going to say something when Edna fell out of the plane, but ten dollars is ten dollars!” Discipline; that’s what I’m talkin’ about!
[Ephesians 6: 10-18] Memorial Day, first known as Decoration Day, was established following the American Civil War as a time of national mourning. It was instituted to honor the war dead and to renew ones pledge to an undivided republic. Each and every one of us is at war every day. “…not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” In the Christian life there is also a memorial day, a communion, and a remembrance, which Christ established for the unified body of the church. From the beginning, the church has gathered together in memory of the risen Christ on the first day of the week, the day of the resurrection, sharing in that communion which Jesus said to do in remembrance of Him, until his return. Don’t be declared “missing” following the Judgment Day. Put your armor on! In the name of Jesus, fight a good fight, and maybe one day physical war will be no more.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Monday, May 07, 2007
The Observation Of Others
“Get away from me kid, you bother me!” W.C. Fields didn’t have much use for children. It seems every time Fields was “cooking up” a scheme to fleece someone of their money or property, a young boy would appear looking over his shoulder to learn from the master. Well, that’s how children mostly learn, by observation. The local school district has an annual luncheon for businesses and church congregations honoring and thanking them for the help they provide throughout the year for families in crisis. Oh, by the way, May 6 – 12 is National Family Week. Okay, back to my thought. How did all these people get involved? The school district, and I don’t think we’re unique here, has a very conscientious and concerned social department, that reaches into the community, with love, to find the resources needed to help families out of a crisis that has hindered the learning abilities of their children. For example: food, clothing, utility costs, legal counseling, medical help, and the list goes on and on. The things most of us take for granted could have a huge negative impact on other families. The whole community recognizes the needs and willingly pitches in. Personally, I think it’s the social workers that deserve the pat on the back for caring and loving enough to do what needs to be done to see that every child has the best of chances to learn and prosper. My hat’s off to them for having the courage to ask for help from the community and not turning their back on those less fortunate. I know this could be argued all day long, but when I get the call I know there’s a real need and a child is suffering. I answer the call.
During the minister’s prayer one Sunday morning, there came a loud whistle from one of the back pews. Gary’s mother was horrified! She pinched him into silence. After worship she asked him, “Gary, what made you do such a thing?” Gary answered soberly, “I asked God to teach me to whistle and He just did!”
A grandmother was curious as to whether her granddaughter had learned her colors so decided to test her. She would point out something and ask her what color it was. The girl would always respond with the correct answer. The grandmother was having fun so continued the little game. With some frustration in her voice the little girl said, “Grandma, I think it’s about time you tried to figure out some of these yourself!”
[Psalm 1] Families, and the children thereof, are on a journey of growth, which includes a huge learning curve, not equally achieved by everyone. My children are grown and successful, and if I had to do it all over again, knowing what I know now, I’d certainly do things different. I find it hard, sometimes, to keep from using my knowledge to chastise the lack of knowledge in others, not remembering I once was ignorant. So, I’m happy to serve in the background and not on the front lines, but I continue to learn by observation of others. We all learn by observation from birth to death. What are you showing the less fortunate? Giving from a virtuous heart will relieve tension, combat depression, reduce stress, improve blood circulation, invigorate, rejuvenate, generate good will and elevate self esteem. And guess what? This applies not only to the recipient, but the giver also! I see great things happening in our schools. Children are being taught to look out for one another, with love and concern. We need to look over the master’s shoulder, Jesus, to become the examples our children need to observe.
During the minister’s prayer one Sunday morning, there came a loud whistle from one of the back pews. Gary’s mother was horrified! She pinched him into silence. After worship she asked him, “Gary, what made you do such a thing?” Gary answered soberly, “I asked God to teach me to whistle and He just did!”
A grandmother was curious as to whether her granddaughter had learned her colors so decided to test her. She would point out something and ask her what color it was. The girl would always respond with the correct answer. The grandmother was having fun so continued the little game. With some frustration in her voice the little girl said, “Grandma, I think it’s about time you tried to figure out some of these yourself!”
[Psalm 1] Families, and the children thereof, are on a journey of growth, which includes a huge learning curve, not equally achieved by everyone. My children are grown and successful, and if I had to do it all over again, knowing what I know now, I’d certainly do things different. I find it hard, sometimes, to keep from using my knowledge to chastise the lack of knowledge in others, not remembering I once was ignorant. So, I’m happy to serve in the background and not on the front lines, but I continue to learn by observation of others. We all learn by observation from birth to death. What are you showing the less fortunate? Giving from a virtuous heart will relieve tension, combat depression, reduce stress, improve blood circulation, invigorate, rejuvenate, generate good will and elevate self esteem. And guess what? This applies not only to the recipient, but the giver also! I see great things happening in our schools. Children are being taught to look out for one another, with love and concern. We need to look over the master’s shoulder, Jesus, to become the examples our children need to observe.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Squawk, Then Listen
I heard a long time ago that “old age ain’t for sissy’s”. Well, the older I get the further away from “old age” I feel, yet I can remember a time when my grandfathers, at my now age, were old men in the eyes of a youngster. I know “old age”, for me, is out there somewhere, because the gap between my able body and the age of some of my older acquaintances, with all the normal maladies of “old age”, is narrowing. Yeh, I guess you could say I’m not really looking forward to being “old”, but then again it beats the alternative. Physical and mental health is important to me, because I plan on living a good long time, God willing. So, I’m marching in as a warrior, not a “big sissy”.
I know you’ve heard of the “Serenity Prayer”. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can and Wisdom to know the difference. Recently I’ve come across the “Senility Prayer”. God grant me the senility to forget all the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into those I do and the eyesight to tell the difference. But what is unfamiliar to most is the rest of that famous prayer which says: Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him in the next. Amen.
In the 70’s I worked for an aircraft manufacturer in San Antonio, Texas as a flight technician and mechanic. Part of my job was climbing into a “green” airplane, one which had never been off the ground before, and documenting all the problems observed by the test pilot, to be corrected before the next test flight. Something more about aircraft while in their test phase, there’s nothing in the interior except for a lot of wires, minimum instrumentation, a squawk & talk radio and two parachutes, which I never knew how to use anyway. Well, if you know anything about South Texas weather you know that a summer thunderstorm can appear almost like magic. The airport tower called us one day to let us know about such a storm forming and to return ASAP. With only visual navigation I’m here to tell you it’s hard to find your way home when clouds are blooming up in front of you faster than you can go around them. The squawk part of the radio sends a signal to the airport tower letting the controller know where we are in the air in relationship to other aircraft. Our ziging and zaging about the clouds sure made the controller nervous, but with his help of guidance we made it home safe and sound.
[Proverbs 3: 5-6] (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. We’re all on a journey, a test flight, to examine ourselves and correct those things which need correcting, but unfortunately thunderstorms erupt we don’t ever expect. In light of the Virginia Tech tragedy this past week, my heart and prayers go out to all those parents and friends of the victims taken that day, those snatched from life who will never grow old, and we don’t know why. For those who remain, they will navigate around this cloud, which has obscured their focus on life, and press on. In the storms of life we squawk out a signal to God, wondering if He knows what’s happening to us. YES, God knows. Listen to Him, for He is guiding you through the storms of life.
I know you’ve heard of the “Serenity Prayer”. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can and Wisdom to know the difference. Recently I’ve come across the “Senility Prayer”. God grant me the senility to forget all the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into those I do and the eyesight to tell the difference. But what is unfamiliar to most is the rest of that famous prayer which says: Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him in the next. Amen.
In the 70’s I worked for an aircraft manufacturer in San Antonio, Texas as a flight technician and mechanic. Part of my job was climbing into a “green” airplane, one which had never been off the ground before, and documenting all the problems observed by the test pilot, to be corrected before the next test flight. Something more about aircraft while in their test phase, there’s nothing in the interior except for a lot of wires, minimum instrumentation, a squawk & talk radio and two parachutes, which I never knew how to use anyway. Well, if you know anything about South Texas weather you know that a summer thunderstorm can appear almost like magic. The airport tower called us one day to let us know about such a storm forming and to return ASAP. With only visual navigation I’m here to tell you it’s hard to find your way home when clouds are blooming up in front of you faster than you can go around them. The squawk part of the radio sends a signal to the airport tower letting the controller know where we are in the air in relationship to other aircraft. Our ziging and zaging about the clouds sure made the controller nervous, but with his help of guidance we made it home safe and sound.
[Proverbs 3: 5-6] (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. We’re all on a journey, a test flight, to examine ourselves and correct those things which need correcting, but unfortunately thunderstorms erupt we don’t ever expect. In light of the Virginia Tech tragedy this past week, my heart and prayers go out to all those parents and friends of the victims taken that day, those snatched from life who will never grow old, and we don’t know why. For those who remain, they will navigate around this cloud, which has obscured their focus on life, and press on. In the storms of life we squawk out a signal to God, wondering if He knows what’s happening to us. YES, God knows. Listen to Him, for He is guiding you through the storms of life.
Not A Bitter Pill
Are you self-taught? I am. I’ve always had a tendency to watch others, read instructions carefully then roll up my sleeves and get to work. I learn by doing and frankly, that’s about the only way I can get things to sink into my thick skull where I won’t forget. So anyway, I’m having lots of fun laying down the new floors in the house. I’m always up to a new challenge and as always when the endeavor is new, planning ahead, as what to do next, can be difficult. Nothing spoils a good project like having to backtrack, you know, tearing up what you thought was finished, because something else should have been done first. Well, I’ve only had to back-up once so far because of my poor planning, and unlike some of the other many blunders in my past, this last bitter pill of “redo” wasn’t all that hard to swallow. Now, on to the next room.
I guess we’ve all had to back-up and been forced to swallow a bitter pill or two. While preparing the bulletin for a church, the editor called the preacher to get his sermon topics for the upcoming Sunday. The preacher replied that he had not yet selected the morning topic but the evening sermon would be on the text, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.” Not waiting for a decision on the morning sermon title the editor pressed on toward publication. When the announcements appeared, here’s what they read. Morning: “Sermon By Minister”; Evening: “What The Fool Said”. (Oooops!)
[Hebrews 2] (v. 9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. I sometimes wonder what children are being taught about the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Last week the world celebrated the resurrection of Christ, but I fear the day passed by most children, shrouded with bunny rabbits and eggs. I also wonder if adults are able to explain to their children the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. I honestly believe we have been so desensitized about death, we have lost our reverence for that which Christ did for our sins and souls. Have you ever smelled death? How do you think Christ must have smelled as he hung nearly naked on the cross? He had been up all night, now sweaty and dirty. He had been beaten to within an inch of his life, bloody from head to toe. He had been mocked, insulted and spat upon. Less than twenty-four hours earlier Jesus dined with the twelve and shared with them unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. He explained to the disciples that the bread was His body and the fruit of the vine was His blood and asked them to continue sharing this feast among the believers until His return. He said, “This do in remembrance of Me.” If the unleavened bread we eat tasted like his body, mingled with blood, sweat and spit, it would be disgusting – impossible to put into ones mouth. If the fruit of the vine tasted like real blood, thick, salty and warm, most of us wouldn’t be strong enough to stomach it. God has protected us from these tastes. The fruit of the vine is sweet and unleavened bread nearly tasteless. The emblems blend into a pleasant after-taste that lingers as we think about His death. And while we must physically die some day, God has protected us from spiritual death through Jesus, for He has tasted death for everyone and brought us back into a one on one relationship with God. Jesus is not a bitter pill to be taken, but rather the Sweet Savior of our lost souls.
I guess we’ve all had to back-up and been forced to swallow a bitter pill or two. While preparing the bulletin for a church, the editor called the preacher to get his sermon topics for the upcoming Sunday. The preacher replied that he had not yet selected the morning topic but the evening sermon would be on the text, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.” Not waiting for a decision on the morning sermon title the editor pressed on toward publication. When the announcements appeared, here’s what they read. Morning: “Sermon By Minister”; Evening: “What The Fool Said”. (Oooops!)
[Hebrews 2] (v. 9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. I sometimes wonder what children are being taught about the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Last week the world celebrated the resurrection of Christ, but I fear the day passed by most children, shrouded with bunny rabbits and eggs. I also wonder if adults are able to explain to their children the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. I honestly believe we have been so desensitized about death, we have lost our reverence for that which Christ did for our sins and souls. Have you ever smelled death? How do you think Christ must have smelled as he hung nearly naked on the cross? He had been up all night, now sweaty and dirty. He had been beaten to within an inch of his life, bloody from head to toe. He had been mocked, insulted and spat upon. Less than twenty-four hours earlier Jesus dined with the twelve and shared with them unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. He explained to the disciples that the bread was His body and the fruit of the vine was His blood and asked them to continue sharing this feast among the believers until His return. He said, “This do in remembrance of Me.” If the unleavened bread we eat tasted like his body, mingled with blood, sweat and spit, it would be disgusting – impossible to put into ones mouth. If the fruit of the vine tasted like real blood, thick, salty and warm, most of us wouldn’t be strong enough to stomach it. God has protected us from these tastes. The fruit of the vine is sweet and unleavened bread nearly tasteless. The emblems blend into a pleasant after-taste that lingers as we think about His death. And while we must physically die some day, God has protected us from spiritual death through Jesus, for He has tasted death for everyone and brought us back into a one on one relationship with God. Jesus is not a bitter pill to be taken, but rather the Sweet Savior of our lost souls.
Pure Unto Death
Yuck! I’ve been pulling up some carpeting and I’ve got to tell you, no matter how clean you think the top is, it’s what’s underneath that’s making you sneeze all the time. I’ve been reading about carpeting and indoor pollution with all the micro organisms we live with every day. It’s really creepy. I suppose if one were to dwell on it too long a real phobia for cleanliness could develop. But, I’ve discovered that no matter how much or often you clean carpeting, short of taking it up, washing it and hanging it on the line to dry, you can’t get what ails you out of it. Hence, the hardwood floor craze. Wall to wall carpeting is out and bare floors, with the occasional throw rug, are in. Well, the carpeting I’m taking up has plenty of years on it, so adios, it’s out of here!
An Ermine is a cute little animal, related to the weasel, with shiny black eyes and beautiful fur. It has short legs and a narrow body that’s some twenty inches long from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. The agile animal is found in the northern regions of the northern hemisphere. In summer, its coat is a rich chocolate brown except for the undersides of the body and legs. In winter, the color changes to a clear white, broken only by the black tip on its tail. If you looked up a picture of the ermine in the library, you’d be shocked by the purity of its white fur. The ermine seems to realize the beauty of its coat and takes great pride in maintaining it. It’s most unusual characteristic is it’s hatred of anything that might soil its fur. Hunter’s that know this will fill an ermine’s burrow with filth and wait with their dogs for the prized furry animal to return. Once the ermine spots the dogs, the snow white creature will dart for the safety of its burrow. But the ermine will not enter the soiled safety of its home. Rather than flee into the burrow, the ermine will fight the dogs to the death. It would rather die with a bloodstained coat than live with a dirty one. That’s why the ermine’s coat is used on the robes of rulers and judges. It serves as a symbol of the purity of justice and law.
[Acts 8: 26-35] The eunuch in the story was reading from the book of Isaiah, and the scripture he was reading, we know as chapter 53. What I like best about this encounter is the fact that Phillip (verse 35) “…began with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” To me there’s so much good news to tell I’d be talking for hours, but here’s the best news. Jesus was sent by his Father to establish a new covenant between God and mankind. The new covenant would become a spiritual bonding in love and truth. Jesus walked among us, proclaiming God’s love and truth, teaching a new way of life and with signs of wonder and miracles, healing the physically sick. But how was Jesus going to show that He was the real deal? God had that all planned out. You see, even though Jesus did pray for a different resolution for the salvation of mankind, other than him giving His life, Jesus was not willing to accept the temptation of remaining in the world. To accept the world would mean entering into sin, which he absolutely was not going to compromise His deity. So, Jesus was obedient to the one who sent him. Rather than give in and enter into the dirty sinful world, Jesus gave himself as the perfect sacrifice to God the Father for the redemption of the sins of mankind. Jesus died for you and me, bloodstained, but pure, without sin. “…For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7) My hope is in God (1 Peter 1:17-21)
An Ermine is a cute little animal, related to the weasel, with shiny black eyes and beautiful fur. It has short legs and a narrow body that’s some twenty inches long from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. The agile animal is found in the northern regions of the northern hemisphere. In summer, its coat is a rich chocolate brown except for the undersides of the body and legs. In winter, the color changes to a clear white, broken only by the black tip on its tail. If you looked up a picture of the ermine in the library, you’d be shocked by the purity of its white fur. The ermine seems to realize the beauty of its coat and takes great pride in maintaining it. It’s most unusual characteristic is it’s hatred of anything that might soil its fur. Hunter’s that know this will fill an ermine’s burrow with filth and wait with their dogs for the prized furry animal to return. Once the ermine spots the dogs, the snow white creature will dart for the safety of its burrow. But the ermine will not enter the soiled safety of its home. Rather than flee into the burrow, the ermine will fight the dogs to the death. It would rather die with a bloodstained coat than live with a dirty one. That’s why the ermine’s coat is used on the robes of rulers and judges. It serves as a symbol of the purity of justice and law.
[Acts 8: 26-35] The eunuch in the story was reading from the book of Isaiah, and the scripture he was reading, we know as chapter 53. What I like best about this encounter is the fact that Phillip (verse 35) “…began with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” To me there’s so much good news to tell I’d be talking for hours, but here’s the best news. Jesus was sent by his Father to establish a new covenant between God and mankind. The new covenant would become a spiritual bonding in love and truth. Jesus walked among us, proclaiming God’s love and truth, teaching a new way of life and with signs of wonder and miracles, healing the physically sick. But how was Jesus going to show that He was the real deal? God had that all planned out. You see, even though Jesus did pray for a different resolution for the salvation of mankind, other than him giving His life, Jesus was not willing to accept the temptation of remaining in the world. To accept the world would mean entering into sin, which he absolutely was not going to compromise His deity. So, Jesus was obedient to the one who sent him. Rather than give in and enter into the dirty sinful world, Jesus gave himself as the perfect sacrifice to God the Father for the redemption of the sins of mankind. Jesus died for you and me, bloodstained, but pure, without sin. “…For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7) My hope is in God (1 Peter 1:17-21)
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