A Purpose Driven Life *

* with partial thanks to Rick Warren

I have been thinking a bit lately about the life we, as Christians, live. We are so lucky to have a future off almost unimaginable beauty waiting for us. We presently live a life that is beyond any value we could place on it. We have been truly blessed.

After the discussion we had at breakfast this morning I am again reminded of the value of this life. This is not something that was just handed to us by God. Yes, it is a gift, and one that we have to reach for, accept and use. But it is one that we have to grow up into. If it were just laid out for us, what would be the value of that gift. As with any present, there has to be a time of anticipation, a time of discovery, a time of learning and a time of experience. There, eventually, also has to be a time of ownership of the gift. In otherwords, we must grow into the experience of the gift.

The greatest part of the gift of this life is the 'purpose' with which we live. Our purpose is to be good God-centered examples for others to see and, hopefully, to follow. The fulfillment of that purpose, the 'intent' with which we live, is to try and persuade men to follow, not us, but Jesus and our Father God. As Ray reminds us frequently, the parable of the soils tells us that the majority of those who are given the information for life will not follow. But that does not mean we stop being examples. It is only through persistence that we can grow into the examples that Christ would have us be.

Through persistence we can grow a "harvest of righteousness".

Anticipation (Not The Catsup)

About two weeks ago, my supervisor told me that me wants to talk to me about something.

The ususal order of things around here is that the supervisor just shows up and takes care of what needs to be taken care of. This is usually done without a whole lot of fanfare and it's usually no big deal. However, when someone calls and says they want to talk to you and then tell you they'll be here . . . that is another story. And then when they say they'll be here "sometime" today, tomorrow or on a given day and they don't show up or keep moving the "sometime" . . . well, that tends to work on your nerves a bit. I will admit to a bit of apprehension though I try not to dwell on it too much. I feel that if it were really that important he would have been here sooner. So it can't be that urgent, can it?

Either way, please pray that things aren't that bad as I'm making them out to be in my mind and that I can handle whatever may be coming my way . . . if anything. I tend to make a mountain out of a molehill in these sort of things. I tend to go through all kinds of scenarios in these types of situations getting ready and being prepared for whatever may come. I will just "prepare for the worst and hope for the best."

What a Waste!

Wednesday is trash day. Each week on Tuesday evening I spend a few minutes going around the house to empty the trash cans in the various pasts of the house. I also check the refreigerator for anything that may be past it's prime. It's amazing what gets lost and then rediscovered in the back of the fridge. There may be food that is just old and needs to go out (like today, a bit of left over cake). I also have to get the recycle bin ready, though this gets addressed pretty much on a daily basis (old newspapers and recyclables from the house). I am always amazed at the amount of stuff that gets thrown out each week. And there are only two of us at home on any regular basis. However, I will say that as a general rule, we rarely have more than one bag and the recycle bin is only about 1/3 to 1/2 full on any given trash day. I don't feel so bad though when I look around the neighborhood and at other trash cans in the city that have tons (no exaggeration) of garbage, so much so that the trash cans are overflowing. I can understand businesses and people w/ large families or those that have kids at home . . . but, holy smokes!!. I really cannot believe the amount of trash that our society produces. And, on a regular basis.

I am not an evironmentalist, per se. I don't 'bleed green'. However, I do believe that we have a responsibility to take care of what we have been given. Anything new that we can recycle or any new product that will lessen the impact we have on the earth is okay with me. Anything we can do to increase mileage and lessen our dependence on other's oil is really okay with me. Any new form of transportation that we can develop that would be a real people mover. . . go for it.

You never know where thoughts will come form. As I was leaving the house this morning, I just looked at all the big blue trash cans down my street, down Goodwin, up 281 and then out 97. Down my street it just looked like a big blue gauntlet and I just thought about all the garbage being thrown out. It didn't help that blue is my favorite color. Why did they have to pick blue for trash cans? But ultimately, if you think about it, everything we have or own has the potential for being garbage.

So what are your thoughts? Or do you have any on the subject? Share with me.

Ipod Game

Okay, thanks to Erin, here is my verison of the Ipod Game, or rather should I say the Computer-In-My-Office-Set-On-Shuffle Game.

How do you feel today? - Could We Fall In Love - Craig Chaquico

What's your outlook on life? - Circle Of Life - Elton John

What does your family think of you? - Pride & Joy - Stevie Ray Vaughn

What do your friends think of you? - That's All I Can Say - David Benoit & Russ Freeman

What do your exes think of you? - Florida Straits - Spyro Gyra

How's your love life? - Another Park, Another Sunday - Doobie Brothers

How will your life be in the future? - Don't Look Around - Mountain

Will you get married? - Why Should I Cry For You? - Sting

Are you good at school? - State Of Grace - Jeff Lorber

Will you be successful? - Wild Night - John Mellencamp

What song should they play on your birthday? - The Wind of Change - Acoustic Alchemy

What song should they play at your graduation? - Steve's Boogie - Eric Johnson

The soundtrack of your life? - Homecoming - Acoustic Alchemy

You and your best friends are . . .? - I'm On Fire - Bruce Springsteen

Happy times: - I'm Free - The Who

Sad Times: - Big Dance Number - Spyro Gyra

Every day: - The 14 Carrot Cafe - Acoustic Alchemy

For tomorrow: - Once In The A.M. - Foreplay

For you: Hey, Ninteen - Steely Dan

What does next year have in store for you? - Bouncin' Back - Robert Cray

What do you say when life gets too hard? - Passionelle - Acoustic Alchemy

What song will you dance to at your wedding? - Shadowland - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

What do you want as your career? - Aspen - The Rippingtons

Your favorite saying: - Clap For The Wolfman - Guess Who

How will you die? - In Bed - Rare Earth



This was fun. Everyone do this and share. It is good for a few good chuckles. Tryyy it, you'll liiike it.

A Dark Sky Over Death Valley (Pt. 3)

It's HEErrree! I received the photo that I have been talking about. It arrived this past Saturday. I opened the front door of the house to go check the mail and there is this round cylinder in the middle of the doorway. Normally, the post man/woman will ring the doorbell to let us know there is something that will not fit into the mail box. But not this time . . . It just sort of showed up.

I've had it on the kitchen table so as to look at it. It is an awesome picture. It is all in black and white and clearly shows the Milky Way. Some of the stars are a bit blurry since it is a panorama but that just adds to the nature of the scene. I showed it to Caleb and told him some of my ideas for the frame and matting. I guess I'll be over to his shop soon.

Can't wait to see it on the wall at the office.

Next stop: Mount Everest!!

What a week!!

This seems to have been a really long week. I have been so tired every day. You would think that sitting at a desk all day talking to people would not be too hard. I think, though, that most of my fatigue is mental. Having to be mentally on your toes dealing with people's issues and problems and ready to deal with whatever comes your way . . it can just really be exhausting. And trying to wind down . . . I'm better at that than in the past. But, still . . .

I have thought all week that it was not the day it was. Must be wishful thinking. On Tuesday evening I was thinking how grateful I was that tomorrow was Thursday. My philosophy is that if I can get up on Thursday morning, I have the week made and Friday will be a breeze. On Wednesday morning I was thinking about having to get up only one more day. Then, this morning, thinking it was Saturday morning, I woke up at about 4:00 am and thought about how nice it is going to be not to have to get up with the alarm clock. That dream was shattered at 5:45 am by the alarm clock reminding me that today was Friday.

So, what good happened this week:

Monday - Had a good visit with the Wharton's. Enjoyed watching Amy and Shanon get to spend time together.

Tuesday - Court went smoothly, surprisingly so since it was a double-court day.

Wednesday - Spent the evening in fellowship with brethern.

Thursday - Had a good breakfast with Ray. Spurs won!! . . . and more fellowship.

Friday - A quiet day at work playing catch up and preparing for the next week. Get to go home once I reach my 40 hours (about 2:15 pm).

However, chores at home await. Guess I'll just shift gears.

Have a great weekend.

Signs and Signals

So, I'm sitting at a train crossing . . . waiting on a train to cross. Signal arms are down. Lights are flashing (both those beside the track, those above the track and those on the crossing arms). Traffic is backing up. The air horn on the engine of the train is blowing loudly and getting louder as it approaches the crossing. There are curbs on the street, not only to make the road look nice but to provide a definite appearance as to what is the road and what is not the road. Suddenly, the driver of a pick-up truck decides he cannot figure out what all the fuss is about and decides to drive over the curbed area that separates lanes, around the crossing arms and across the train tracks! All this with a train barreling down at about 30-40 mph! What a no-brainer . . . the driver, not the decision! I also saw people on the other side of the intersection get out of their cars to wave and yell at the truck driver, pointing to the approaching train, trying to warn him. Thr truck drivers response, to just keep on driving. I don't think that I have ever seen sparks coming out from under a locomotive before. And I'm sure there was something else coming out of the mouth of the engineer of the train, but we'll not go there. Fortunately, there was not a collision, but it was oh so close.

I cannot figure out why that driver decided that he did not have to abide by all the signs and signals that were warning him of the impending danger. Besides the danger that he posed to himself there was also the danger that others could have been harmed physically had there been a collision. What of the mental anguish that could have happened to those who would have been a witness to the accident? What about the emergency personnel who would have had to pick up the pieces of the incident? And finally, what about those members of the families of those who would have been involved in the accident?

Those signs and signals around the intersection were put there for a reason, to warn of the possibility of impending danger. And yet this person chose to ignore them.

In addition to the things mentioned that tell us of the train crossing, there are also painted on the roadway before the crossings thick white lines along with thick white X's with big white 'RR' letters. At some intersections there are rumble strips that attract our attention. Along with these signs, on the side of the roadway are other signs placed there by the highway department that tell us of the approaching crossing.

I couldn't help but think about how this relates to us and the dangers of sin that are all around us in out lives. There are signs and signals that constantly warn us of danger. These warnings can be obvious, not so obvious and at times are very subtle, but they are very real. We must always be aware of our surroundings and looking out for danger wherever it may be or wherever it may come from. We must be ready to react and act to find safety. Why do you think school buses, other forms of public transportation and some large semi-trucks usually stop at all 'RR' tracks? It is for the safety of themselves and those around them. It's a funny thing about sin . . . it affects not only us but those around us, as well. Once it gets ahold of us, it does not let go until we firmly resist it or until it is through with us.

Some random thoughts from a happenstance occurance. Those are my thoughts. What are yours. Share with me.

A Dark Sky Over Death Valley (Pt. 2)

I heard from the guy in Californa who can produce a print of the photo that I blogged about yesterday. To make a long story short, the computer file (the photo was made in a digital format) is apparently huge. When we were discussing formats and how large I wanted the print, he told he that this file in a musuem quality print would be 90 feet long! I don't think I want something that big, though you have to admit that would be awfully cool! After he checked out the format and doing whatever he does on the computer, he told me that the optimum size for what I wanted to do with it (I want to hang it in my office at work) would be 50" x 16". I thought this was much more reasonable. He stated he will print it on archivable paper and will leave enough white edging that it can be framed or just hung as it. I am excited! I will be ordering it soon.

If you wish to see the website that I look at each day, including this photo (May 8, 2007), go to Google and enter Astronomy Picture of the Day Archive. The site has been up since 1995 and they have an archive that goes back to the start of the site. It is run by people who have connections to NASA so they have a wealth of photos to choose from. Save this to your favorites as I guarantee it will become one of your favorites, also.

A Dark Sky Over Death Valley

I have been a fan of manned space flight and, consequently, the cosmos since I was in elementary school. I can remember being at school when I was in the 1st through 5th grades and we would watch the launches of the Mercury and Gemini missions all day. There was nothing more exciting to me than watching the challenge of man reaching out for the moon and beyond. At one time I could tell you the names of all the constellations and stars and planets. I could tell you their Latin and Arabic and English names. I could tell you their locations in the skies by the season of the year and the hour of the night. I didn't need a calendar to know when there would be a new or full moon. I also knew the names of the various moons as they occured during the year. I lived and breathed the cosmos. Talk abut having your head in the clouds!

Anyway . . . several months ago, Robert Hutton turned me on to a website (Astronomy Picture of the Day Archive) that has mostly pictures of the heavens. Man, I was in hog heaven (no pun intended)!! I have loved this website as I am able to feed my interest in space and things that occur "out there". The best thing is the explaination from the photographer that comes with the photo.

I recently saw one photo entitled A Dark Sky Over Death Valley. I have been trying for over three weeks to get in touch with the photographer to see if I could get a print. It is a panoramic view of Death Valley, Californa taken at night. The photographer is an employee of the National Parks Service. Once I got ahold of him he referred me to the person who would provide the print. We spoke on the phone earlier today and he will be getting back with me on prices and formats. I can hardly wait. Who knows, maybe I'll be going to see Caleb soon.

A Black Kettle

I have several blogs with which I have been keeping up. I have not had much time (or patience) to blog lately but I have a personal rule that if someone does not blog for about 90 days, I delete them from my favorites. So I have let some go from people that I would have liked to continue to hear from, but . . . no blog, no hear, and therefore - delete.

This is one of those "I said all that to say this" moments.

I will promise to blog more. I will try not to let work, life, impatience, slow computers, apathy (well, you get the point) get in the way of my blogs. I so enjoy hearing from people from the perspective of their blogs. It gives me an insight into that person I might not have received otherwise.

See you 'round the blog-o-watercooler!

It Seems Like Only Yesterday

31 years ago today, I married my best friend and partner. I have not always made the best decisions in life but this was a good one. Amy and I have laughed, cried, prayed, supported and talked our way through good times and bad, kids (not necessarily our own), friends, brethern and family. We have both become who we are, in large part, because of who the other is. Would I do it again?

Absolutely . . you bet!!

Driving Miss Daisy, or Me Crazy

As you may know, in my opinion, one of the lowest common denominators in our society are those people who don't know how to drive or behave while they are behind the wheel of a moving automobile.

People talking on cell phones, eating lunch, putting on make-up, feeding kids, reading the newspaper (yikes!!) or maps...they just don't get it. I will admit that I am not perfect and have made my share of mistakes while driving, but I hope I have learned to not repeat my mistakes. However, the other day I was reminded of how completely obstinate people can be.

I was at the Wilson County Sheriff's Office for court and was returning to the office which is about two miles away. There is a crossover at the main entrance to the sheriff's office and you have to cross over a four lane divided highway. There is a yield sign when you get ready to turn left into the southbound traffic. Across from here is a Valero station. I was concentrating on the cross traffic and did not see a light blue Chrysler minivan preparing to go across the traffic flow to go through the crossover. I pulled out and luckily saw that vehicle at the last moment. I stopped, looked at the driver and waived my hands in surrender and mouthed an apology, "I'm sorry". The other driver's reaction...give a dirty look, mouth something and issue the "one fingered salute". I can only assume that he was actually telling me what his I.Q. is. Obviously he was demonstrating it. The really sad part...he had a small child in the front seat with him in a car seat. What a great demonstartion of how to be an adult.

And In This Corner...

I was supposed to go to Seguin today to testify in a revocation hearing on someone that I had supervised in Wilson County. This person committed three different offenses in three difference counties. This person had three different probation officers watching everything they did. Bottomline, there were three different opportunities to do good. But in this case, this person squandered three different opportunities to get it right and afetr 10 years, messed up. This person is now looking at a substancial amount of time in our state's penitentiary system.

I also had to be in Cuero last week to do the same thing there for another person. Again, another opportunity squandered. This person decided to take a plea that had previously been offered after three police officrs, a deputy sheriff, a federal marshal, two probation officers and two assiatant district attorney's lined up in the courtroom ready to do their jobs. Talk about the deck being stacked against you. Problem was, he was the dealer and dealt the hand against himself!

I have often remarked to Amy how much I dislike court when I see how poorly people treat each other. I particularly see this on the civil side of the docket when couples are going through a divorce. Now, there are a lot of those cases that are handled relatively amicably but, in general, that is not the case. I really appreciate my wife and our relationship when I have spent the day listening to couples fighting over "things" and worst of all, when they use their children as weapons in a fight between themselves.

The bottom line is that as much as I enjoy my job, there are aspects of it that I really dislike. I am just reminded, though, that there is a better way to be and to act towards one another.

Thanks be to God for giving us His Son and showing us a better and higher way to live! I always try to treat those people whom I supervise with respect but that does not always translate into a better person until they take some of the lessons they are taught and apply them to their lives. This is a lesson that I must daily be reminded of...I must not allow myself to live in the same pen as the pig or I will become a pig.

Some random thoughts. What are yours. Share with me.

Groovin' in The Grass!

Several of my acquaintances have been talking and blogging about working in their yards so I thought I'd offer a perspective on it.

I remember the first time I was allowed to mow the yard by myself. Man...how proud I was that Dad trusted me enough to run a machine by myself. I still had to have help putting gasoline in the mower and checking the oil, and I still got tips on how to mow and maintain the mower, but it was great. We had a rear discharge mower that usually left more grass on your legs and shoes than on the lawn. The mower was taller than I was so there was more pushing up on the handle than forward but as I grew that issue took care of itself. I learned to mow the grass when we still had to rake the yard and trimming was done with a hand trimmer. Loved the mowing, didn't mind the raking but hated the trimming. Dad eventually got a powered edger but we weren't allowed to use it unless he was home.

So, now I do my own yard. Since Amy and I bought our first mobile home in 1977, I think I can count on one hand the number of times someone else has mowed the yard for me. Well, maybe two hands. I will have to admit that mowing does not carry the excitement that it once did. My favorite part of the job is when I have finished mowing the yard and it has been trimmed and the grass has been blown off the driveway and sidewalks. To stand and look at the yard, to appreciate the neatness of the yard . . . the satisfaction of a job well done. And to just wish it would stay that way for a while longer. I once had a friend who says that man is the only animal who raises a crop he will not eat.

I spent this past Saturday in the yard trimming the lantana, the bushes along the back fence and the wisteria, "dead heading" the rose bushes and, of course, mowing the grass. It smells so good to be walking in the yard while grass is mowed. It gives me lots of time to think and mull over things going on in my life. I have found out that there's a lot more going on at the business end of a lawn mower than just walking and pushing. It's great exercise, both for the body and for the mind.

My Favorite Place on earth

I want to tell you about my favorite place on earth. It is a small block of land in Pleasanton, Texas on Main Street. Some of my favorite people meet there on a regular basis to live and learn about the God who created us and loves us, literally, to death. It is the place where the people of God meet on a regualr basis. It is the hub from which the spokes extend that cause the wheel to spin in the lives of people who earnestly seek God and who want to learn about and fulfill His will.

I have been to several foreign countries, as well as several states in the United States. As much as I love this world that God has created and the beauty that sustains it, I cannot think of any place that I would rather be than in the presence of His people and the place in which they gather to dwell. Yes, I know the buildings and land upon which they are built are just temporary things and I know that there is nothing special, devine, holy or sacred about the brick and mortar but what goes on within the confines of that property is amazing. People with different backgrounds, different attitudes, different social-economic situations and different education levels come together to work and worship God. All our differences are put aside for the betterment of the whole. That which binds us together is more important than that which makes us different. We gather to quietly worship God and to petition Him for love, mercy and grace, and to learn how to extend these same virtues to others. We always seek the betterment of the other person. Our drive...our aim is to present God and His Son to a lost and dying world. Our goal is the salvation of our souls and of those around us.

Even with our feebles and foibles, with our sometimes petty bickerings this is still the best place on earth. I always cannot wait to get home if I am away to meet again with those who meet there. Just to catch up and see what was missed. There is always something going on in peoples lives that is interesting, something to pray for or about.

Those are my thoughts. What are yours? Share with me.

So...On a More Positive Note

My last post was a bit of a downer. I want to be more of a positive person but there are some things that just grab me and don't let go. I let the issue hang onto me for so long until I am just quite literally tired of the weight and then I cast it off. I have been told that I have a melancholy personality and that is the way I will deal with certain issues in my life as they arise. I don't really like that but I suppose that is the way it is with me. Or, as Babe the pig would say, "The way things are is the way things are."

So...now for something a bit more positive.

See next blog entitled "My Favorite Place on Earth".

Sick and Tired

In recovery from addiction, there is a saying about how people feel when they have hit rock bottom and they know it is time to make a change in their life. Basically, they say that they are sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I've had this feeling lately that I am not living up to my obligation of being an elder in the Lord's church. Everybody knows that they can do more for the kingdom, but for me, there has been this nagging feeling lately. Several things have occured recently that really made me feel like an ignored or a second class citizen in the Lord's church.

I spoke to Robert about this yesterday and poured myself out to him. He has kind of noticed the same thing. So, without going into great detail, I am going to ask that you pray for our eldership, that we can be more bold without being haughty, that we can reach out more and make people feel more at ease with who we are and what we are about.

Short, simple and to the point. I covet your prayers.

* In response to Jackie.

It is amazing how loss affects us. Life just seems to be trucking right along and then... No matter how and when it happens, the experience grabs your attention and does not allow you to focus on anything else.

When I have lost someone, no matter how close, it has always been a hallmark for me. I saw my first dead body in a casket when I was a junior in high school, the father of a close friend. I did not attend my first funeral until I was in college. It was one for a member of the church in Huntsville...Brother Morris Cotton. He and his wife had opened their house to the college group on numerous occassions. We ususally went to their house and sang. My best memories of them are of smiles, open arms and hugs. His funeral was packed with alot of people but not alot of grieving. Again, a lot of smiles, open arms and hugs. For a long time after the services there was an empty seat in the auditorium where he used to sit and people would not sit there, I guess out of respect. But, beyond the obvious, there was just something missing. Kind of like a change in your daily routine or having walked into a room and forgotten why you were there. That sense of having to do something but not quite sure what it was.

Sudden loss can be like a brickwall. Having run into a few things lately that do not give has reminded me that there are things in this life that suddenly grab your attention. The immediate pain will be there but then slowly goes away as the hurting sensation goes away. The hurt will always be there but is easier to deal with.

Gradual loss seems to be easier to handle. You can see it coming and can be prepared for it. It is almost a relief when it occurs. I know when Amy's Dad was injured and in the hospital for about a month before he passed away, it was just a stiff-upper-lip getting-through-the-day-thing and once the eventually occured, it was just a huge relief..like a large weight had been lifted off our shoulders. His passing was the first time in my life that I had lost soemone that close. Yes, I had had my birth mother, several great aunts and grandparents who died...but, other than by time and distance, this was the first time that I had been so intimately involved with the process.

I think it is also so amazing that life goes on without us during the time of grieving. Yards still need to be mowed, dishes need to be washed, kids need to be tended to, bills need to be paid... We still need to eat and sleep. How many times have I stood by the graveside of a loved one and listened to the traffic drive by, felt the sun on my face, the rain on my shoulders, heard birds singing. It is almost a comfort that life continues to function. At the same time, some of the daily routines seem a bit trivial when they are performed. And, I have to admit that there has a feeling of guilt in performing the trivial when a momentous event of this nature has just occured. It's almost as if you are besmirching the memory of an individual by going on with life.

But, we go on and mow the grass because that is how we cope. Life does not stop when an individual does, other than for a time of rememberance. It is just a reminder to us of the temporary nature of life on earth. Let us be thankful that we have things to do to go beyond the staring at the yard.

What a week!!

What a week this has been! It has been long and tiring! Really has been a bit of a bummer, downer, whatever you want to call it.

First, I didn't sleep well Sunday night and woke up Monday morning with a headache, sore throat, sniffels and a general over all blaaahhh feeling. Then I missed Bible Study on Monday night because of leaving work late and the rain. Had to sit on Hwy 97 about a half a mile east on IH-37 for 30 minutes as there was a flood of water across the road. Amy and I have lived here for almost twenty years and this is the first time I have seen this section of road flood so quickly, if at all. Didn't get home until about 7:15 pm.

Second, besides still having the blaaahhh feeling, we didn't get to do visitation on Tuesday night because Robert had to go to work. He left a message for me about having to go to work and he really thought Satan has "been working" on him. Guess we just have to redouble our efforts to not let Satan have as much influence on what we do.

Third, I got to church late on Wednesday night becuase we didn't get through with court until about 6:30 pm and still had things to do to close out court. Didn't leave the office until about 7:15 pm and got to church about 7:45 pm. The great concert made up for the day, though.

Fourth, had to leave for work early Thursday morning (6:45 am) to finish putting Wednesday to bed before I started Thursday's agenda. So, I missed our usual Thursday morning Chamber-of-Commerce, theological-discussion at Sally's.

Just not fun being away from brethern when you are so used to the fellowship. Kind of leaves you out of sorts.

And Friday hasn't gone too well so far either. Sometimes the day is just not yours. You know what they about "the best laid plans of mice and men"...

Or was it some lawyer named Murphy?

Hope you have had a better week than mine and I hope you have a great weekend.

Oh...Now I Get It!

One of these days I'll figure all this out.

I haven't blogged in a while but I have had a few blogs 'in edit'. I finished one the other day and published it. However, I did not see it on the main blog. I looked and looked and looked...couldn't find it. I checked the manage blog window several times, it showed I published but the words were not out there. Finally it dawned on me...it publishes on the date the blog was put into edit! Duh!

So, I have one dated 2/21/07 if you care to check it out. Kind of makes you want to kick yourself.

What's in a Name?

I've been thinking about the name that we have on the front of our building..."Church of Christ".

Several years ago Amy and I attended the first Shepherd's Conference held at the Northside congregations building. I can't remember his name, but the closing speaker spoke about the name on the sign in front of the building. He spoke about the bold statement that it made to the community. He said it told everybody that we were a church of Christ. By using that phrase we were telling all who drove by that we were directly identifying with the individual whose teachings we follow. Up front, there was not a question about who we are and what we are all about. By making that identification, we take a definite stand. There should not be any question about what goes on with this group of people and what we believe.

The same thing goes for us as individuals. When we hear someone's name, what thoughts come to mind? What do other's think of that individual? What images appear for us to consider? Are they pleasant thoughts or those that make us think, 'Oh, No!'?

Our name says so much about us. It is probably the one main think that identifies us to others.

So, back to the original thought. I have been reading a book, Changing Traditions in the Churches of Christ. It is a series of essays that examines brotherhood issues. Quite frankly, alot of the focus so far has been on how we publically worship and the externals of style. But the book also speaks of attitudes and how we conduct ourselves in the worship assembly. It speaks of how we lives our lives and how we identify with each other when we are not personally together. It got me thinking about churches in our brotherhood and how some have dropped 'of Christ' from the name. When the issue first came up I will admit that I did not have a problem with this. After all...it was just a name. I listened to the reasons for changing the name. None of them seemed sound and they sounded like just a ploy to get more people into the building. But still, I thought that was the decision of that local congregation. But, the more I thought about it, the more uncomfortable I became with this and the stated reasons. My concern then turned into the following two questions: 1)How in the world did this ever become something that we would consider doing?, and 2) Why in the world would you want to do this?

Before this ever came up, I never thought about changing the name of the institution. The name is who we are. The name is what we are. It says everything about us. Up front, it tells the world who we follow. I recall that immediately after I was baptized I had a proudness (is that a word?) about being a member of this body. I had only been a member a few minutes but there was something definitely different about these people. I did not have any knowledge about the church, but to say I was a member of the church of Christ...it just sounded right. The institution, or better yet, the organization known as the Church of Christ had always been around, as far as I knew. And it would continue to be here, as far as I knew. Now with congregations deciding to drop part of the name...it just seems wrong. It almost says they no longer want to be a member of this body. By their way of thinking, it's almost as if they no longer want to be identified as part of the worldwide body of Christ. By saying they are 'a church' without any identifying marks they are leaving the door open for any wind of doctrine to come into their midst and be taught. It seems that they can preach and teach and accept anything they want. By not identifying with the larger body they say they can exist on their own.

By saying that a congregation is 'a' church they become just that: a group of people who are not identified with anyone else, ones who stand off on their own and try to do things their own way. I know there are places in the world that may be doing things in the way God expects us to act but we must be clearly identified as to who we are and who we follow. Without that we are headless. Without that we have no guidance. Without that we have no future.

Those are my thoughts. What do you think. Share with me.

Some Random Thoughts

And now for something completely different...random thoughts. I have not blogged lately because things have been so up in the air lately, mainly with Amy's surgery and recovery. I have a few blogs in'edit' that I hope to get to soon, so stay tuned.

...having to stay busy at work and keep up with the workload, maintain the house and look after Amy. Sometimes I wonder how we keep going. And don't forget about the church activities! One of the good things is that we have not had to cook for about three weeks. So much food has been prepared for us. There is no way to adequately say thanks. That was probably the best thing out of all this. If I had had to cook, well, then the wheels really would have come off the wagon.

I have to say that I am truly amazed at Amy's recovery. It has been a month and she is doing very well. We've had a few hiccups along the way but all in all she has done remarkably well. Considering what she went through (which many women go through) she has bounced back quite well. I know she has a long ways to go, but the change in her demeanor and the improvement in her health...wow!

We have truly been humbled by the outpouring towards us in the form of visits, prayers, cards, telephone calls, meals prepared, thoughts and prayers. It felt a bit weird having it announced that we were going to be helped while we were present for the announcement. It gives one a greater appreciation for the church and those we care about when we are the recipient. We get so used to helping others that we sometimes forget that we need help occassionally.

It is amazing how the church responds when needed. There is never a question of what to do but rather it is the fact that there is a response. The 'who' is the body. The 'what' comes naturally. The 'when' is as needed. The 'where' is just that. The 'how' is in whatever way is appropriate.

Dancing in the Moonlight

* Once again ... Inspired by Darla

Darla made a comment in her response to Jaci about "old women dancing in the moonlight". Man, what an image that brings to mind. And it really is more than a shadow in the dark, more than an image on a screen. It speaks of things beyond the physical.

I think of women, and men, who have experienced life. They are those who have lived, loved, lost, shared, given, cared for... Their laugh is hearty, their love is rich and their tears are easily shared. They give beyond measure and hug those to whom they are the closest.

They are those who have not been afraid to embrace life in all it's forms and have experienced the full range of emotions there are to share. And then once they have taken it all in, they are willing to express themselves in ways that others may consider intimate but are only fully understood by those to whom the emotion is offered.

Those are my thoughts. What do you think. Share with me.

Sunrise...

* Inspired by Darla Royal (almost a month ago...sorry it took so long)

Yes...I am a morning person. The older I get, the more 'morninger' I become. I am one of these people who gets up when they wake up. Ususally I get up a few moments after I wake up. I take a quick assessment of my self, evaluate how I slept and decide whether or not to get out of bed. My usual length of sleep is around 6-7 hours. Sometimes I really wish I could sleep a bit more but I have learned not to force sleep on myself and have found out that it will come when it comes.

I enjoy the quiet of the early morning. The world has not totally woken up yet and I really do not like the world to intrude into my solitude until I am ready to let it in. I sometimes can get a few chores done in the quiet of the moment, feed/mess with the cat and get the newspaper from the front lawn. Sometimes I get up so early I beat the paperperson to the throw.

To step outside in the early morning is sooo cool, regardless of the season, though I admit that I really enjoy a cold, crisp winter's morning. I often stop on the front sidewalk and enjoy the show that the heavens put on. So early in the morning, especially on a cold night just after a day of strong winds out of the north, the sky is crystal clear, the stars sparkle, the planets shine so bright and the expanse of the sky seems to be a dark blue rather than your traditional black. It's almost as if you can see forever. And, sometimes I feel as though I am exposed. With the daytime blue gone, knowing what is really out there but not seen, it is almost as though I am being looked at. It is a time when I can truly marvel at God's handiwork and wonder what it is like to see it up close.

To watch the sun come up is awesome. I have done this from my bed, the living room, the backyard, on the road... But my favorite time that I did so was in the mountains of southeastern New Mexico. I had gone on a camping trip one summer with our Boy Scout troop to a national camp area outside of Ruidoso. I could not sleep that night. Just one of those nights when my mind would not shut down. While the others around my snozzed, I sat on a cooler and watched the stars rotate around the sky and meteors slide by. Finally, around 3:00 am, there was a faint glow in the eastern sky. It was so faint that I almost did not notice it until it was very obvious. I sat there for about three hours as the hue of the morning grew brighter and brighter. The stars and planets began to fade and slowly disappear. As the colors of the morning began to creep across the sky, it was almost as if the heavens were slowly pulling a blanket up to put the night to bed for the day.

To get up early with the anticipation of the day is almost as if one says...

On your mark!

Get set!

And when the sun is finally fully up...

Go!

HiHo! HiHo! It's Off To Work I Go! *

* With apologies to the Seven Dwarfs.

Dana was writing about how her job can be so all consuming and overwhelming. Been there, done that, designed and wore the T-shirt! There have been times that work was the be all and end all of my existence. Not that work was more important but I made it the most important thing that I did. I let it take over every other aspect of my life. I am ashamed to say it was over my wife and kids and even those times that I took a day off. I actually felt guilty about taking time off for me or the family, even if I had the time off coming.

I don't beieve that I ever whistled going to work but in some demented way I really enjoyed getting up and being productive. I now see work as a means to an end, something that will help me get to where I am going. I have learned to seek balance in my life and not let my employment take me over. I see it as what I do for 8 hours (10 counting the commute and lunch) just so I can support the rest of my life financially.

The most important thing in my life is church and my relationship with God and His people. Even though I do not spend more time during the week doing "church work" than I do "on the job", it is definitely a better quality use of my time and effort. In many ways my secular employment has helped prepare me for what I do for God. I have been blessed so much by God since I reevaluated my life and placed church #1.

So, Dana, do not let work overtake you. It will only cause you pain in the long run, I promise you. Find the balance in your life that God affords you. Wake up every morning and think that since you are walking upright and able to take a deep breath, you are blessed beyond measure. Each day has it's challenges and they should be welcomed and met head-on. Just don't let them "take you out".

Just some random thoughts. What do you think. Share with me.

And Now...For Something Completely Different! *

What is up with all the weird letters before you publish a response to a blog!? Half the time, even though you type in the correct letters it does not let you publish! You then have to retype these crazy letters I-don't-know-how-many-times before it lets you publish. And who is the person who has the job of selecting which letters to go before any given response!? What is their purpose other than to give you something alse to type before you publish?

*Just some food for thought and a little light hearted jabber.

I Hope This Makes Sense

I am secure in my relationship with God. I have been his child since Wednesday, October 31, 1973. With the aid of his other children and the Holy Spirit, He has helped me through innumerable circumstances, blessed me beyond measure and kept me safe when I have acted outside of myself. I cannot imagine the future that awaits me but I know it is there and that it will be beyond anything I could hope for. I do have Hope. No question about it.

The immediate future is where my concern is. With Amy's upcoming surgery, for some reason I am a bit apprehensive. I don't know if it is just the uncertainty of the outcome of the surgery or what. I am restless. I am finding it hard to relax and be peaceful.

I am concerned for what the doctor's might find. I have confidence in their skill and prognosis, but when it comes to the actual surgery, that is another story. To turn my wife over to them just takes everything out of my control. I know that I have very little, if any, control in this life but what little I have is hard to give over to another person. And sometimes the comfort and prayers of friends just does not seem to do it for me.

Ray hit the nail on the head last Sunday night. Even though I have heard this umpteen times, it hit home. When two people get married they "cleave" to one another. Their lives become so intertwined that they become inseparable. Many of my married friends have been together for so long that it just seems so natural to say, "RobertandJackie", "RayandNell", "JonathanandDralena", "MomandDad"... It is hard not to see one person without the other partner. To say one name without the other...that's just not right! If something should happen, I just cannot imagine her not being here. This is so hard to put in writing...to actually verbalize this thought. To actually see the thought in writing. I don't want to sound as though I doubt. Maybe this is my way of facing my mortality. Not real fun. I hope this makes sense.

Batter up!!

So..here I sit having lunch on a Friday. It has been a hectic couple of weeks and I really have not had the opportunity to blog. As many of you know, I am not a real spontanious person. I have to have things planned out in advance for me to feel comfortable. I can do things on the spur of the moment but it ususally has to be my idea before I can get into the mood of the moment. I don;t just blog. I make notes, think about what it is I am writing about, think about it, write, rewite and them...maybe...publish...if I don't change my mind...again...later in the day...

Anyway, I said all that to say this...guess I'll follow in Jackie's footsteps and just "ramble". For me that is spontanious.

Life has thrown me a curveball from a left handed pitcher. It came way inside and I did not back off the plate as it whistled past my ear. I clearly remember the thwomp with which the ball hit the catcher's mit and the smell of the powder from the impact. It was called a ball, it did not scare me, I get another chance. But I have to be ready for what may come next. So, while the pitcher decides what is to come next, I have the opportunity to ponder the same. Can I out guess him or will he out guess me? I am ready, I know I have my team behind me, and they will support me in whatever happens. The third base coach has passed on the sign. But, I am the only one out here right now. It is up to me in how I handle this situation. Think I'm going to back off the plate for a second and take a few moments..

While I believe in praying specifically for events and occasions in our lives, I am now asking for general prayers for comfort and peace. I am not ready to be specific in my request yet. When I am, you'll know.

Actions and words

Several recent blogs and responses have had me thinking...some of the usual random thoughts.

What is Heaven like? I never really thought about it other than I want to go to Heaven. I have to agree that it is the idea that you are not by yourself there. That you are there because of the relationship you have had with others on Earth. It is because of those relationships that you were able to maintain your life's efforts to attain the goal of Heaven. That is, after all, the goal of our faith...to get to Heaven. And then to continue that relationship there..what a thought!

I agree that it would be so cool to have an actual entrance into heaven. Not necessarily the kind with wrought iron and an arch as is so stereotypically portrayed. Maybe just a "narrow gate" so that we can enter one by one and be greated with hugs and kisses by our Savior and those who have gone before us.

If you want to get into the possible physical manifastations of Heaven...it has to have either mountains, higher than we have ever seen in our lifetimes, or, my personal favorite, being able to explore outer space to see the beauty and complexity of our universe.

But we can't get there unless we act on what we believe. One of the most intriguing scriptures is the faith chapter, Hebrews 11. I do not really have a favorite scripture but this is one that just really gets me thinking. It's one of those times when I can imagine one of our black brethern, maybe Jack Evans, Jr., taking a deep breath and then beginning to talk and preach at unbelievable speeds when trying to drive home a point. When I or someone else reads it I see very little of the actual scripture.

What I ususally see or hear is as follows . . .by faith:

• We understand
• Abel offered
• Enoch was taken
• Noak..built
• Abraham obeyed and went
• Abraham...was enabled
• Abraham...offered
• Isaac blessed
• Jacob...blessed
• Joseph...spoke
• Moses...was hidden
• Moses...refused, chose, regarded disgrace, left, persevered, kept
• Israel...passed
• Walls of Jericho fell
• Rahab...was not killed
• Others who conquered, administered, gained, shut, quenched, escaped, became strong, became powerful, routed
• Woman received

And then there were those, though unnamed, who:

• were tortured
• refused release
• faced jeers
• faced flogging
• were chained
• were imprisoned
• were stoned
• were sawed in two
• put to death by the sword

They were:

• destitute
• persecuted
• mistreated

Above all, "they were commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

Can't improve on that any better than it already is. It almost seems to say that we have a hand in each other's salvation. Only through relationship with each other can we support each other through the tough times and good times. Bottom line...we must act on our faith. Afetr all, as the old saying says, "Actions speak louder than words". As important as preaching and teaching is, they are nothing without the actions of our belief.

It's that time of year, again!

Yup...January 1. Time for the ol' resolutions to be brought out. Time for some introspection and soul searching. Unfortunately, I believe that I have kept far fewer of my resolutions than I care to admit. So, I have a few resolutions this year that are more generic. I think we fail to keep our promises to ourselves when we get too specific and rigid. This year I have written a few that are more open-ended and leave a bit more room for give and take. Kind of like life when you sometimes get thrown hither-and-yon.

Here are a few of mine. I share them with you as I would like for you to keep an eye on me and hold me accountable. I am not kidding!! I think we would be more successful if we share our hopes and dreams, successes and failures with each other. I share them with you as I want your input into my life. I think it will help us to be more like the people God wants us to be.

So...in no particular order:

• Spend more time in Scripture,
• Live a more healthy lifestyle,
• Finish what I start,
• Be more patient,
• Listen.

Tell me some of yours. That way we can wade through this life together.