Our family in the Pacific Northwest bought some rural property, with two other families. Beautiful place, it already had a garden, and some fruit trees, but no chicken house. Son-in-law, a fine re-modeler, promptly built what has been called a "five-star-chicken-house", excellent in every way.
Spring came on, and the grandchildren bought (more or less, their parents did help) some baby chicks. Of course, little girls want to name chicks. Flower names, they chose. Their favorite was Tulip. Chicks grow. Soon it was time to move them out to the chicken house and yard.
All chickens are not created equal, and it soon became apparent that Tulip was not going to lay eggs! Tulip was, in fact, a rooster. And he'll tell you all about it, frequently, loudly, and early. Which is fine! If my grand-daughters name their rooster Tulip, who am I to complain. They are among my favorite people in the world.
Life goes like that sometimes. Lovable folks name and define things, and we just go along. Even if we end up with a rooster named Tulip. That's just fine. And sometimes lovable folks, who really don't have any idea about what they are defining, put us in some strange positions.
I often remember, and chuckle to myself at appropriate times, the old vaudeville disclaimer: "I'm not a doctor, I never went to a real medical school, but I did hang around drug-stores a lot when I was a kid." It helps when someone speaks so authoritatively about medical matters, of which they have no actual knowledge. At all. Not that I do, but often I'm really sure the self-assured diagnoses, often of someone never even met personally, are certainly among the more non-helpful things in life. Especially when we lift those definitions up to God in prayer, to the One who is not mystified by anything medical, to say the least.
Now, I can smile, and simply whisper to myself: "Tulip!" and if it just continues interminably, I can keep smiling and whisper to myself: "Vaudeville doctor!" And smile. And try to be helpful. And not criticize. After all, God loves us even when we get it wrong, which is most of the time, at best.
Everybody needs a little smile-generator like that, if you set out to be a real and helpful friend. It really helps!
Smile - - - and be a blessing.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Learn Something Every Day
Just out of seminary, I was excited about a new book one day, and mentioned it to my senior pastor. His reply? "I'm solid, don't need it!. I don't read new books anymore!"
Well, that sure closed a door! He remained an admired friend for lots of other reasons, but that closed off a whole area of life.
I like scanning blogs. I'm a follower of one photography blog that features abandoned hotels and amusement parks. I'm a follower of one that has a huge discussion spin-off: http://rachelheldevans.com. Today's is a provocative question about God's care for Anne Frank. I write three, and enjoy reading several. Always something new to learn EVERY day. And I appreciate the responses to this little instrument, you know.
I like teaching, because students and other participants always bring a fresh insight. And I thrive on preaching, because it is so much more of a conversation than most people think. There is NO sermon in which I don't LEARN, from the spoken and visual responses that occur in the moment. Those responses bring the Word to the speaker at least as clearly as to the hearer.
In fact, all of the community that God has built is a blessing to all of us. And the more you look around, the more blessed you feel.
Thank YOU for being one who reads and discovers. Blessings on your day.
Well, that sure closed a door! He remained an admired friend for lots of other reasons, but that closed off a whole area of life.
I like scanning blogs. I'm a follower of one photography blog that features abandoned hotels and amusement parks. I'm a follower of one that has a huge discussion spin-off: http://rachelheldevans.com. Today's is a provocative question about God's care for Anne Frank. I write three, and enjoy reading several. Always something new to learn EVERY day. And I appreciate the responses to this little instrument, you know.
I like teaching, because students and other participants always bring a fresh insight. And I thrive on preaching, because it is so much more of a conversation than most people think. There is NO sermon in which I don't LEARN, from the spoken and visual responses that occur in the moment. Those responses bring the Word to the speaker at least as clearly as to the hearer.
In fact, all of the community that God has built is a blessing to all of us. And the more you look around, the more blessed you feel.
Thank YOU for being one who reads and discovers. Blessings on your day.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Bread Truck Reminder
"Aroma Therapy" said the sign on the side of the Mrs. Baird's truck. Great reminder of driving into Dallas, turning off Central toward SMU, and being enveloped by the aroma from Mrs. Bairds! Now THAT was aroma therapy.
Early mornings at Lamar in Beaumont, marching band first thing in the morning, downwind from Texas Coffee Company, roasting the good blend early in the day. THAT was aroma therapy!
Sights and sounds and smells are special blessings. They don't do much for survival, except in specific instances, but to enhance the day, to stretch the mind, and to bless the heart, they are superb gifts.
Isn't there a lot that's worth a fine "thanksgiving", just in the ordinary days we take for granted?
Early mornings at Lamar in Beaumont, marching band first thing in the morning, downwind from Texas Coffee Company, roasting the good blend early in the day. THAT was aroma therapy!
Sights and sounds and smells are special blessings. They don't do much for survival, except in specific instances, but to enhance the day, to stretch the mind, and to bless the heart, they are superb gifts.
Isn't there a lot that's worth a fine "thanksgiving", just in the ordinary days we take for granted?
Friday, November 12, 2010
The Prayer Guy
Some days he just springs into my mind.
I guess he was my favorite in-law. In assisted living quarters, the entire staff would come by, one by one, to have prayer with Ervin. One soon volunteered to serve as a door-opener to the nursing home area, where he'd visit room after room, just for prayer time.
A journeyman welder, pipe-fitter, boiler-maker, and the senior pipe bender at Texas Pipe in Pasadena, Ervin pre-fabbed the last "new" refinery built, at the end of a long career. His "Pipebender's Bible" is a staple in the union hall. But his life as a Bible-teacher and prayer warrior was his real legacy.
As a pastor, I'm often asked how we can lift up "so and so" and their legacy. It is a wonderful thing to HAVE a legacy to lift up, which isn't all politeness and "froth".
During Ervin's funeral, I paused somehow longer than I intended (this frog suddenly sprang up in my throat) after asking: "And what could we hear him say from across the river today?" From the back of the room came the answer (his hallmark phrase) I had been intending to speak : "Just right!" Then laughter and folks repeated his slogan with a smile. Through the valley of the shadow of death, with a smile and a "just right!"
That's a legacy!
How's life going?
After prayer: "Just right!"
Most times, that's enough said.
I guess he was my favorite in-law. In assisted living quarters, the entire staff would come by, one by one, to have prayer with Ervin. One soon volunteered to serve as a door-opener to the nursing home area, where he'd visit room after room, just for prayer time.
A journeyman welder, pipe-fitter, boiler-maker, and the senior pipe bender at Texas Pipe in Pasadena, Ervin pre-fabbed the last "new" refinery built, at the end of a long career. His "Pipebender's Bible" is a staple in the union hall. But his life as a Bible-teacher and prayer warrior was his real legacy.
As a pastor, I'm often asked how we can lift up "so and so" and their legacy. It is a wonderful thing to HAVE a legacy to lift up, which isn't all politeness and "froth".
During Ervin's funeral, I paused somehow longer than I intended (this frog suddenly sprang up in my throat) after asking: "And what could we hear him say from across the river today?" From the back of the room came the answer (his hallmark phrase) I had been intending to speak : "Just right!" Then laughter and folks repeated his slogan with a smile. Through the valley of the shadow of death, with a smile and a "just right!"
That's a legacy!
How's life going?
After prayer: "Just right!"
Most times, that's enough said.
Faith and Flu
Flu season was full speed. Lots of it was "going around". Sunday noon came, I was shaking hands at the door, when a man walked up to me, grabbed my hand. His other hand gripped my shoulder as he stepped close.
"Preacher, I'm just barely going, but this flu isn't keeping me at home, no sir!"
I wondered whether or not to thank him. But it does raise a rather self-answering question: "When IS it good to stay home from worship?"
Sometimes loving our neighbor means keeping our distance, rather than complicating life's issues. And that's always a hard one, isn't it? Not so much hard to answer when the issue is clear, but hard to calculate when we seriously do try to love our neighbor.
Jesus said we are to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. That has to be one of the biggest challenges He ever laid out!
"Preacher, I'm just barely going, but this flu isn't keeping me at home, no sir!"
I wondered whether or not to thank him. But it does raise a rather self-answering question: "When IS it good to stay home from worship?"
Sometimes loving our neighbor means keeping our distance, rather than complicating life's issues. And that's always a hard one, isn't it? Not so much hard to answer when the issue is clear, but hard to calculate when we seriously do try to love our neighbor.
Jesus said we are to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. That has to be one of the biggest challenges He ever laid out!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Yellow Rose Wedding
The man rushed into my office in Navasota. "You the preacher?" he asked. I nodded and he quickly asked, "Got boots?" I nodded, and he was so relieved! (and I was so curious.)
He launched into the story. The marriage was to take place in two days and the minister was very ill. Could I do it? Oh, probably. Would I wear the boots? Sure, but now I was totally curious.
The scene played out well. We gathered on the front porch of the long-abandoned Masonic lodge building in Plantersville, TX, an almost empty old cross-roads town. An enormous Texas flag was draped to form the backdrop, cascades of yellow roses were on the columns, and the bridal party rolled up in wagons. The preacher DID wear boots. The wagon train rolled out after the ceremony, headed to a backwoods barbecue reception.
Happy people, having fun, with almost all the symbols flipped beyond recognition. Like lots of folks, the priority list was totally garbled.
1. Preacher wears boots.
2. Do this on the front porch of a now abandoned house of honorable commitments.
3. Yellow roses everywhere - - true to the song, but not really. (The "yellow rose of Texas" was actually a high-yellow mulatto camp follower that Sam Houston sent to "entertain" Santa Anna during his siesta time, causing General Santa Anna to be totally distracted and surprised by the Texian attack.)
It was probably the happiest, most "mixed signal" celebration ever.
Sometimes we take great and powerful poetry and symbols (often Old Testament stories and American history) and re-present them in a way the originals would never recognize. Which may not amount to anything earth-shaking, except that it cheapens and dumbs down our greatest treasures into decor and window dressing. In this case, a couple's highest commitment was wrapped in pretty shabby choices. The wrapping took center stage, distracting from their own promises.
I wondered why they didn't have a simpler celebration that focused on high and honorable commitments, or even on the love they probably shared with each other.
I bet God wonders why we all do that kind of thing, over and over. Of course, it doesn't HAVE to be that way, if we choose.
He launched into the story. The marriage was to take place in two days and the minister was very ill. Could I do it? Oh, probably. Would I wear the boots? Sure, but now I was totally curious.
The scene played out well. We gathered on the front porch of the long-abandoned Masonic lodge building in Plantersville, TX, an almost empty old cross-roads town. An enormous Texas flag was draped to form the backdrop, cascades of yellow roses were on the columns, and the bridal party rolled up in wagons. The preacher DID wear boots. The wagon train rolled out after the ceremony, headed to a backwoods barbecue reception.
Happy people, having fun, with almost all the symbols flipped beyond recognition. Like lots of folks, the priority list was totally garbled.
1. Preacher wears boots.
2. Do this on the front porch of a now abandoned house of honorable commitments.
3. Yellow roses everywhere - - true to the song, but not really. (The "yellow rose of Texas" was actually a high-yellow mulatto camp follower that Sam Houston sent to "entertain" Santa Anna during his siesta time, causing General Santa Anna to be totally distracted and surprised by the Texian attack.)
It was probably the happiest, most "mixed signal" celebration ever.
Sometimes we take great and powerful poetry and symbols (often Old Testament stories and American history) and re-present them in a way the originals would never recognize. Which may not amount to anything earth-shaking, except that it cheapens and dumbs down our greatest treasures into decor and window dressing. In this case, a couple's highest commitment was wrapped in pretty shabby choices. The wrapping took center stage, distracting from their own promises.
I wondered why they didn't have a simpler celebration that focused on high and honorable commitments, or even on the love they probably shared with each other.
I bet God wonders why we all do that kind of thing, over and over. Of course, it doesn't HAVE to be that way, if we choose.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
It Really Is There
For a long time, I believed that the Nielsen ratings were a "figment", but then.................
Aha, I'm in! I actually have a TV diary to complete, send in, and obviously make great changes in TV programming. Well, probably not, but at least it is real.
Sometimes folks mistake Christian FAITH for believing the unbelievable, and that causes a great deal of stress. But, the whole witness of the Bible is that God acts in human history, and faith is a matter of TRUST, not simply blind belief. Credible witnesses, personal experience, the "warmed heart", the guidance of the Holy Spirit in understanding the Word, recognizing that God shares Himself with us in so many ways, all of these build trust in our hearts.
Great comfort in that, I find.
Aha, I'm in! I actually have a TV diary to complete, send in, and obviously make great changes in TV programming. Well, probably not, but at least it is real.
Sometimes folks mistake Christian FAITH for believing the unbelievable, and that causes a great deal of stress. But, the whole witness of the Bible is that God acts in human history, and faith is a matter of TRUST, not simply blind belief. Credible witnesses, personal experience, the "warmed heart", the guidance of the Holy Spirit in understanding the Word, recognizing that God shares Himself with us in so many ways, all of these build trust in our hearts.
Great comfort in that, I find.
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