Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Empty Holidays
Alexis and Jim sit behind us on Sundays and she always asked how things are going ... that is, when she's not showing pictures of her first grandson! Sunday morning she asked how my Thanksgiving had been ... I replied, "Rather boring." (Just another facet of my cheerful, positive impact on any given Sunday. Probably why they choose to sit behind us.) Truthfully, it was a bit boring. Not that we didn't enjoy being with good friends. We always enjoy being with friends. Not that the food wasn't delicious, or plentiful. It was both. Not that NFL didn't treat us with yet another mind-numbing Cowboys' loss. They did.
Rather, it was due to the fact this was our first Thanksgiving in two decades without our children.
Josh was with Heather's family. Jessica was in England. Though we encouraged them both to be where they were last Thursday, now I understand why it meant so much to my mother to have her children "home" for the holidays. Any holiday. And now I have a bit of forewarning of how I'm going to feel during future holidays when my children are not able to be with us. And I also find myself thinking we should have done whatever necessary to spend more time with mom when we had the opportunity.
Funny how we can't arrange our schedules, or we don't have the money, or we don't have the time off, or we've already made other plans, or whatever... But when that someone special dies and the funeral is set, we manage to pull all of that together when it means the least to one who who spent the day alone while so hoping to enjoy the company of children for the holidays.
Don't mean to be depressing, because I'm not feeling depressed. Honestly, I'm not. I am very blessed and most thankful for God's grace and presence in my life! He has loaned me a wonderful family, a wonderful church, wonderful friends, wonderful blog community, and occasionally a working (you thought I was going to write wonderful again, didn't you?) memory. Perhaps these shared thoughts might spur someone to be just a bit more sensitive to others at critical moments in life.
I've added a couple of links to my site. One is the Barna Group, which is good for current trends in the Christian community and in the culture. The other is World Magazine, which gives national and international news from a Christian perspective. You might enjoy them while having your morning cup of whatever you drink to jump-start your system!
As always, thanks for stopping by.
Rather, it was due to the fact this was our first Thanksgiving in two decades without our children.
Josh was with Heather's family. Jessica was in England. Though we encouraged them both to be where they were last Thursday, now I understand why it meant so much to my mother to have her children "home" for the holidays. Any holiday. And now I have a bit of forewarning of how I'm going to feel during future holidays when my children are not able to be with us. And I also find myself thinking we should have done whatever necessary to spend more time with mom when we had the opportunity.
Funny how we can't arrange our schedules, or we don't have the money, or we don't have the time off, or we've already made other plans, or whatever... But when that someone special dies and the funeral is set, we manage to pull all of that together when it means the least to one who who spent the day alone while so hoping to enjoy the company of children for the holidays.
Don't mean to be depressing, because I'm not feeling depressed. Honestly, I'm not. I am very blessed and most thankful for God's grace and presence in my life! He has loaned me a wonderful family, a wonderful church, wonderful friends, wonderful blog community, and occasionally a working (you thought I was going to write wonderful again, didn't you?) memory. Perhaps these shared thoughts might spur someone to be just a bit more sensitive to others at critical moments in life.
I've added a couple of links to my site. One is the Barna Group, which is good for current trends in the Christian community and in the culture. The other is World Magazine, which gives national and international news from a Christian perspective. You might enjoy them while having your morning cup of whatever you drink to jump-start your system!
As always, thanks for stopping by.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Christmas
I grew up in the churches of Christ. Central Florida, Mississippi, North Alabama. About as conservative and "deep south" as you can get. Christmas was a great time of year, but as far as our church was concerned, Christmas never happened. It was not mentioned "at church" and we went through the holiday season no differently than any other time of the year. We'd have family parties, but nothing ... absolutely nothing ... "sanctioned" by the church. When Christmas would come on a Sunday, it was business as usual. Sunday school. Assembly. Sunday evening. Nothing changed. (Interestingly, we had church halloween parties and haunted houses -- basically pagan celebrations of death -- but dared not to bring the celebration of the birth of Christ into our theology! Figure that one out??) I still remember while living in Rockledge, Florida, when I preached sermons at Christmas on the birth of Jesus and was severely criticized by some of the members for daring to mention Christmas. I'm so grateful to no longer be living in Rockledge, Florida and that legalistic "spiritual" environment. Grace is such a breath of fresh air.
After moving to Long Beach, we decided to push the envelope and put some decorations in the fellowship hall (with our elder's approval, of course). We've been written off as a "liberal, progressive" church for so long it couldn't hurt our reputation among the "brethren." People didn't seem to mind, after all it was just the fellowship hall. The next year, we put some lights and a wreath up in the auditorium (what believers in other fellowships call the sanctuary). That first Sunday we got two written responses. One thanked us for the beautiful decorations. This person said it helped focus her mind on Christ. The second response blasted us for the decorations. Said it was a huge hindrance to his worship and we were no better than "the Catholics" for desecrating the auditorium. We decided we preferred the first response. For one reason, the complaint was unsigned. The next year we brought in a lighted Christmas tree. Center stage. Brace yourself for this next comment ... even moved the communion table. Gasp! The following year, we added two more trees, one at each end of the stage, as well as more lights around the windows. Families brought in poinsettia plants to place around the stage area. We'd take them to our "shut ins" for Christmas Day.
These days, the Sunday evening for decorating has become a special time for us. Usually about 30 people will show up. We'll put the decorations up and then have a meal together. We end the evening by turning off all the lights except the decorations and praying that God would be glorified as we acknowledge the time of year when so many in the world are thinking of the birth of Jesus. In our present Christ-bashing culture, I'm for doing whatever to bring attention to Jesus! [Picture: About half of the group this year. Others had to leave early from our 3-1/2 hour event. The baby didn't do much decorating but got a lot of loving from the women!]
Sunday, Dec. 18th, we'll have our "Gift for Jesus" program ... also a seasonal favorite. Nothing fancy. Nothing slick. No competition for the larger churches' productions. Pretty much a "by-the-seat-of-our-pants" production, but we love it. People bring their gift -- be it a song or a poem or reading a story or giving a testimony. We've had interpretive ballet dancers (the children), violinists, bands, children dramatists (sort of), etc. The level of talent ranged from beginners with very little talent but lots of heart and desire, to professionals. I also did some stuff, but have no idea where my talent level ranks. Probably low on any scale. We started out with about 30 people. Now we almost fill the "sanctuary" on that evening, including lots of guests.
I don't have a lot of interest in decorating the house each year, but I do enjoy the decorations at the church. Hope you are able to celebrate the birth of our Savior where you worship with your church family.
Sanctuary ... almost ready for the season. Blue banner on the right (hidden by cross) says, "Wise men still seek him" and shows the wise men on their journey to see the Christ-child.
After moving to Long Beach, we decided to push the envelope and put some decorations in the fellowship hall (with our elder's approval, of course). We've been written off as a "liberal, progressive" church for so long it couldn't hurt our reputation among the "brethren." People didn't seem to mind, after all it was just the fellowship hall. The next year, we put some lights and a wreath up in the auditorium (what believers in other fellowships call the sanctuary). That first Sunday we got two written responses. One thanked us for the beautiful decorations. This person said it helped focus her mind on Christ. The second response blasted us for the decorations. Said it was a huge hindrance to his worship and we were no better than "the Catholics" for desecrating the auditorium. We decided we preferred the first response. For one reason, the complaint was unsigned. The next year we brought in a lighted Christmas tree. Center stage. Brace yourself for this next comment ... even moved the communion table. Gasp! The following year, we added two more trees, one at each end of the stage, as well as more lights around the windows. Families brought in poinsettia plants to place around the stage area. We'd take them to our "shut ins" for Christmas Day.
These days, the Sunday evening for decorating has become a special time for us. Usually about 30 people will show up. We'll put the decorations up and then have a meal together. We end the evening by turning off all the lights except the decorations and praying that God would be glorified as we acknowledge the time of year when so many in the world are thinking of the birth of Jesus. In our present Christ-bashing culture, I'm for doing whatever to bring attention to Jesus! [Picture: About half of the group this year. Others had to leave early from our 3-1/2 hour event. The baby didn't do much decorating but got a lot of loving from the women!]Sunday, Dec. 18th, we'll have our "Gift for Jesus" program ... also a seasonal favorite. Nothing fancy. Nothing slick. No competition for the larger churches' productions. Pretty much a "by-the-seat-of-our-pants" production, but we love it. People bring their gift -- be it a song or a poem or reading a story or giving a testimony. We've had interpretive ballet dancers (the children), violinists, bands, children dramatists (sort of), etc. The level of talent ranged from beginners with very little talent but lots of heart and desire, to professionals. I also did some stuff, but have no idea where my talent level ranks. Probably low on any scale. We started out with about 30 people. Now we almost fill the "sanctuary" on that evening, including lots of guests.
I don't have a lot of interest in decorating the house each year, but I do enjoy the decorations at the church. Hope you are able to celebrate the birth of our Savior where you worship with your church family.
Sanctuary ... almost ready for the season. Blue banner on the right (hidden by cross) says, "Wise men still seek him" and shows the wise men on their journey to see the Christ-child.Please see prayer request below this blog.....
Monday, November 28, 2005
Prayer Request
Most of you in this blog world know that my wife teaches at a private Christian school operated by Grace Brethren Church here in Long Beach. She received an email this evening (Monday) requesting prayers for a fellow-teacher in a Christian school here in Southern California.
The story can be found at: http://pullingfordenise.blogspot.com if you are interested. It's worth your while just to be informed! Either way, please lift up Denise Williams. She has been hospitalized since July with disseminated valley fever (something you don't want to get) and lost their baby son to this disease. Denise was five months pregnant.
Imagine someday meeting their baby, Daniel, in heaven and telling him you prayed for his mama and daddy! If you go to the blogsite, you can write her ... I'm sure it would encourage her.
The story can be found at: http://pullingfordenise.blogspot.com if you are interested. It's worth your while just to be informed! Either way, please lift up Denise Williams. She has been hospitalized since July with disseminated valley fever (something you don't want to get) and lost their baby son to this disease. Denise was five months pregnant.
Imagine someday meeting their baby, Daniel, in heaven and telling him you prayed for his mama and daddy! If you go to the blogsite, you can write her ... I'm sure it would encourage her.
Now this is a beautiful picture that has nada to do with my blog.Just found it and thought I'd share it with you.
Taking our dog, Chipper, for a walk is ... well, it's an ordeal is what it is. She's big. She's strong. She's got a lot of puppy still in her. She doesn't get out of the back yard often. She doesn't know danger in the streets. She wants to go where she wants to go. Walking Chipper a mile, I'm convinced, is equivalent to an hour of high-paced aerobics! Actually, the an hour of high-paced aerobics would be a cake walk in comparison.
We've used a choke collar to no avail. Choke collars do just that - if the dog pulls too hard, the collar tightens around the neck to discourage the pulling. That means absolutely nothing to Chipper. She would hang herself and never give in an inch. She will stop and lie down with her front feet stretched out against me and I can pull her across the grass and the choke collar seems to have no effect on her. Not that I would do that, mind you. I'm not that strong.
Consequently, I don't take her walking as often as I should and not nearly as often as she would have me to. When she wants to go for a "walk about" she will go up to her leash and start sniffing on it. Being the smart person I am, I know that means she is ready to go. And when I ignore that enough, then she will go up to her leash and stand on her back feet. (Her leash hangs on a 4x4 that supports the back porch.) I think that means if I don't walk her she's going to become obnoxious.
The other day I got a pinch collar ... see if she'll do any better with that. Bought an extra large and had to add links so it would fit around her head! I'd used one once before that I borrowed from my neighbor and it worked great. I guess dogs have good memory because when I pulled out the pinch collar, Chipper wanted nothing to do with it. But she also wanted to go walking. You could see the anxiety as she tried to decide whether or not to give in. She finally gave in and let me put the collar around her neck. Best walk we've had in months. She stays right beside me. If the chain even begins to tighten around her neck, she moves back in closer.
The "experts" say these medieval instruments of torture are actually quite harmless to a dog. I would like to know just how would they know that? They hurt like the devil around a human neck. (Don't ask how I know that.) Chipper's reaction when I first took it out said she wanted nothing to do with it. Maybe it's just because she can't have her way, and she's a dog that typically gets her way ... but in a well-trained manner. Only because I, her master, allow it. Hmmmm ... could there just possibly be other uses for this thing?
Later....
Friday, November 25, 2005
Scary Breakfast, Vol. 1
Saturdays we generally sleep in late (7-7:30am) and then eventually go pick up a croissant at Burger King. Last weekend, while waiting far longer than a paying customer should have to wait just to order something not really worth waiting for, I kept being drawn to another customer at the end of the line waiting on his food to be served. He had a daugher (looked to be about 8 -10) and a son (never saw the boy, he was playing a video game across the restaurant) with him.
He also was completely covered waist to head with tatoos. I know because he wasn't wearing a shirt. I just assumed "No Shirt / No Shoes / No Service" was a common rule among restaurants of higher class such as BK. Apparently not. I'm not alarmed at anyone being covered with "body art" (politically correct term for tatoo), but this guy's body was covered with Nazi swastikas, Nazi flags, a huge German officer's face, the obligatory naked lady, and who-knows-what-else on the side away from us. By the way, he had blonde hair and blue eyes to go along with his other Nazi skin show.
The scary part about all of this to me is the fact that he is raising children! God help those children. Perhaps even scarier is that I may have to start eating at McDonald's on Saturday morning!
He also was completely covered waist to head with tatoos. I know because he wasn't wearing a shirt. I just assumed "No Shirt / No Shoes / No Service" was a common rule among restaurants of higher class such as BK. Apparently not. I'm not alarmed at anyone being covered with "body art" (politically correct term for tatoo), but this guy's body was covered with Nazi swastikas, Nazi flags, a huge German officer's face, the obligatory naked lady, and who-knows-what-else on the side away from us. By the way, he had blonde hair and blue eyes to go along with his other Nazi skin show.
The scary part about all of this to me is the fact that he is raising children! God help those children. Perhaps even scarier is that I may have to start eating at McDonald's on Saturday morning!
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Happy Thanksgiving!
Good news / Bad news from dermatologist. Good news - no cancer / pre-cancer.
Bad news - at my age I can expect more "barnacles" as she called them.
More bad news - You'll probably have them as well!
Bad news - at my age I can expect more "barnacles" as she called them.
More bad news - You'll probably have them as well!
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
An Apology and a Distraction
Ooops! I'm going to blame it on pre-senility syndrome, but it's really just forgetfulness and possibly even a bit of nervousness. Stupidity, maybe? Being math-challenged (in that I can't count family members)? Whatever, yesterday when I mentioned the family circle being complete once Jessica meets the rest of Heather's family, I failed to remember that we've yet to meet her brother, Andrew! My sincere apologies to Heather and her family. If it would make you feel any better, you can have Chipper! We do look forward to meeting Andrew, and to just spending more time with all of your family. Love you!
On another subject altogether to distract you away from my embarrassment ...
(Pix - Left: Jess and Natalie @ LAX.) When I took Jessica to LAX last Friday, she flew to London w/ Natalie, Steph's younger sister. Jessica and Steph have been the closest of friends since about 9th grade and roomed together their first year at Azusa Pacific. They'll be rooming together again next semester.
Natalie's parents (Loren and Glennis) rode up to LAX with us and on the trip home we were in a conversation that led to our watching The History Channel (many good conversations lead to The History Channel, in my humble opinion) and eventually to documentaries on VietNam. I watch them to try and get a sense of the tours of duty my brother spent over there in service to our nation. With no apologies to anyone, I'm proud of his commitment to this nation and to his fellow warriors. He served with honor and has my highest respect and love.
Anyway, Loren and Glennis told of a man in their church who was a helicopter pilot in 'Nam (as the vets call that tiny stretch of land that took so much from their youth). Talk about a dangerous mission! This man spoke of three things that were the most exciting times of his life. So what could a helicopter pilot from 'Nam possibly find any more exciting (in the sense of touching ever nerve in your body) than flying into a battle zone and having bullets not only rip holes in your aircraft, but to feel them pass through your body? Looking death in the eye day after day as you lift wounded soldiers from a hot zone to safety, and many from the brink of death to life again?
Here is his list of the three most exciting times in his life:
On another subject altogether to distract you away from my embarrassment ...
(Pix - Left: Jess and Natalie @ LAX.) When I took Jessica to LAX last Friday, she flew to London w/ Natalie, Steph's younger sister. Jessica and Steph have been the closest of friends since about 9th grade and roomed together their first year at Azusa Pacific. They'll be rooming together again next semester.Natalie's parents (Loren and Glennis) rode up to LAX with us and on the trip home we were in a conversation that led to our watching The History Channel (many good conversations lead to The History Channel, in my humble opinion) and eventually to documentaries on VietNam. I watch them to try and get a sense of the tours of duty my brother spent over there in service to our nation. With no apologies to anyone, I'm proud of his commitment to this nation and to his fellow warriors. He served with honor and has my highest respect and love.
Anyway, Loren and Glennis told of a man in their church who was a helicopter pilot in 'Nam (as the vets call that tiny stretch of land that took so much from their youth). Talk about a dangerous mission! This man spoke of three things that were the most exciting times of his life. So what could a helicopter pilot from 'Nam possibly find any more exciting (in the sense of touching ever nerve in your body) than flying into a battle zone and having bullets not only rip holes in your aircraft, but to feel them pass through your body? Looking death in the eye day after day as you lift wounded soldiers from a hot zone to safety, and many from the brink of death to life again?
Here is his list of the three most exciting times in his life:
Drug runner in / out of Mexico.Now that's an impressive list! I can't say I'd want to duplicate items one and two. But I wonder, "How many of us look back over life and still think of "finding out about Jesus" as one of life's most exciting times?"
Helicopter pilot in Viet Nam.
Are you ready for this one? -- Finding out about Jesus!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Would you, please?
Don't often do this (guy thing, I guess) but I'm requesting your prayers as well. At a certain age, people get spots that dermatologists say are normal. They have a fancy word for them. We call them age spots. But sometimes those spots can become ugly, nasty, and terminal.
I have such a spot on my right leg. It started out as a keratosis (fancy name for age spot ... actually a benign skin tumor) but has changed dramatically in appearance over the past two weeks.
I'm seeing my dermatologist tomorrow.
Thanks ... I'll let you know if you need to send in your taped eulogy so I can decide which one is actually used.
P.S. I just looked up the word, keratosis, in Webster. Definition: an area of skin marked by overgrowth of horny tissue. It is a male thing ... my right leg is horny!
I have such a spot on my right leg. It started out as a keratosis (fancy name for age spot ... actually a benign skin tumor) but has changed dramatically in appearance over the past two weeks.
I'm seeing my dermatologist tomorrow.
Thanks ... I'll let you know if you need to send in your taped eulogy so I can decide which one is actually used.
P.S. I just looked up the word, keratosis, in Webster. Definition: an area of skin marked by overgrowth of horny tissue. It is a male thing ... my right leg is horny!
Well, it was supposed to happen on Saturday! "Our people" talked with "her people" and we were to meet for early dinner ... Heather's and Josh's parents. But shortly before we were to leave to drive over, Josh called and told us Heather's father had injured his ankle. Pretty "lame" excuse to not meet us (joke), but those things happen! So the meeting of the parents remained yet in the future. Until Sunday evening. Jan and I went for a 2-mile walk and decided we'd pull Josh's chain a little and tell him we were riding with them when he took Heather home later that night. We knew he wouldn't be too favorable to the idea ... having parents horn in on his time alone with Heather.
He took it as expected: "I don't think so." Heather took it seriously (she needs a little more time around us) and called to let her parents know we were coming with them! Now we're in a Catch-22 situation. We certainly didn't want to impose on their Sunday night, yet on the other hand we definitely wanted to meet them. The clincher was when Josh told us Heather's mom was vacuuming the house and her dad had gone out to buy some pies. So, the joke backfiring on us, we drove over w/ Josh and Heather to meet her family, that included not only mom, dad and sis, but grandparents. Family the way family should be.
I'll have to say I've never felt any more at home with people we'd just met. Wonderful Christian family who made us feel very welcome. Not only was there the immediate bond because of our children being in love, but there was a spiritul bond that goes even deeper. We visited for about an hour and a half and as we were about to leave, Kevin (Heather's dad) suggested that we pray. If we felt good about Josh marrying Heather before meeting her family (and we did), we felt even more settled that God brought her into our lives and is the woman He's been preparing for our son. They love the Lord and serve him faithfully. Josh and Heather absolutely adore each other and are already best friends. I told Heather Sunday at lunch that we've moved from the stage of getting to know her (though that stage will continue) to the stage of coming to love her, which will also continue ... a lifetime as love grows deeper!
To make the "circle of family" complete we just need to bring Jessica into the picture. She is looking forward to meeting Heather's family, but is presently in England visiting friends. Talk about me feeling a little older ... taking her to LAX to catch a flight to London and then receiving her email that she'd made the trip safely ....
Well, that's not the only thing that made me feel old. She did this all with her own money! Now THAT makes me feel old, but in a very good sort of way! Can't wait to have her back with us on Saturday and hear the stories of her trip. While in London, she's hoping to meet up with Erin, her best friend from childhood in Florida. I hope that works out for her as well. With a side trip planned to Ireland and hoping to visit Italy, I don't see how she's going to even see London! But it's her trip and her money. I'm just glad she could make the trip, even if it makes me feel older.
Whew! Meeting our son's future in-laws. Jessica in England on her own money. I don't know if I can take feeling much older. Having Psallo lift us high in worship and praise and meeting Kevin and Cindy, along with Brittany (hope I spelled that correctly) and Harold and Natalie (grandparents), it was a wonderful Sunday.
He took it as expected: "I don't think so." Heather took it seriously (she needs a little more time around us) and called to let her parents know we were coming with them! Now we're in a Catch-22 situation. We certainly didn't want to impose on their Sunday night, yet on the other hand we definitely wanted to meet them. The clincher was when Josh told us Heather's mom was vacuuming the house and her dad had gone out to buy some pies. So, the joke backfiring on us, we drove over w/ Josh and Heather to meet her family, that included not only mom, dad and sis, but grandparents. Family the way family should be.
I'll have to say I've never felt any more at home with people we'd just met. Wonderful Christian family who made us feel very welcome. Not only was there the immediate bond because of our children being in love, but there was a spiritul bond that goes even deeper. We visited for about an hour and a half and as we were about to leave, Kevin (Heather's dad) suggested that we pray. If we felt good about Josh marrying Heather before meeting her family (and we did), we felt even more settled that God brought her into our lives and is the woman He's been preparing for our son. They love the Lord and serve him faithfully. Josh and Heather absolutely adore each other and are already best friends. I told Heather Sunday at lunch that we've moved from the stage of getting to know her (though that stage will continue) to the stage of coming to love her, which will also continue ... a lifetime as love grows deeper!
To make the "circle of family" complete we just need to bring Jessica into the picture. She is looking forward to meeting Heather's family, but is presently in England visiting friends. Talk about me feeling a little older ... taking her to LAX to catch a flight to London and then receiving her email that she'd made the trip safely ....
Well, that's not the only thing that made me feel old. She did this all with her own money! Now THAT makes me feel old, but in a very good sort of way! Can't wait to have her back with us on Saturday and hear the stories of her trip. While in London, she's hoping to meet up with Erin, her best friend from childhood in Florida. I hope that works out for her as well. With a side trip planned to Ireland and hoping to visit Italy, I don't see how she's going to even see London! But it's her trip and her money. I'm just glad she could make the trip, even if it makes me feel older.
Whew! Meeting our son's future in-laws. Jessica in England on her own money. I don't know if I can take feeling much older. Having Psallo lift us high in worship and praise and meeting Kevin and Cindy, along with Brittany (hope I spelled that correctly) and Harold and Natalie (grandparents), it was a wonderful Sunday.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Psallo
On a rare Sunday afternoon blog, we had Psallo Praise & Worship Team with us this morning and the only word I can think to describe the morning is a word I seldom use: Awesome! In my humble opinion, this group puts Hallel and Zoe in the shade ... not only with their harmonies, but just the experience of worship and the energy level.
Last year at Pepperdine, Psallo's praise team leader, Mike, wasn't getting something from the group he wanted. Between songs he told his group he wanted some "jiggy" out of them. Being a white guy, I have no idea what "jiggy" is but I think we got some jiggy at Long Beach this morning.
Not only was it the consensus of our church that we definitely want them back, but each member of Psallo told me they sure want to come back to Long Beach. We're already working on a summer date.
They were so impressed with Josh's work at the sound board, they asked if he'd be available to run sound for them next Spring at Pepperdine. They also looked at the sound equipment we have for our praise band, with the thought in mind that Josh may be a good resource for them. He felt good about that. He did a great job mixing the group this morning.
Psallo is working on a new CD (their first CD is about six years old) and hope to have it out before the Pepperdine Lectures in '06. They hope to have some "live" songs on their CD ... and they promise that it will have their "soul" sound on it. Their first CD was good, but as their leader, Mike, said to me, "It was too white." I wouldn't have said that, but I did verbally agree with him and thanked him for saying what I was thinking.
Cordelia (our servant over fellowship) and her team put together a great continental breakfast and the fellowship hall was filled with people between 9 and 10. She always comes through for us on the fellowship, whether we're eating or just getting together.
Hope you had a joyful experience with your church family.
Last year at Pepperdine, Psallo's praise team leader, Mike, wasn't getting something from the group he wanted. Between songs he told his group he wanted some "jiggy" out of them. Being a white guy, I have no idea what "jiggy" is but I think we got some jiggy at Long Beach this morning.
Not only was it the consensus of our church that we definitely want them back, but each member of Psallo told me they sure want to come back to Long Beach. We're already working on a summer date.
They were so impressed with Josh's work at the sound board, they asked if he'd be available to run sound for them next Spring at Pepperdine. They also looked at the sound equipment we have for our praise band, with the thought in mind that Josh may be a good resource for them. He felt good about that. He did a great job mixing the group this morning.
Psallo is working on a new CD (their first CD is about six years old) and hope to have it out before the Pepperdine Lectures in '06. They hope to have some "live" songs on their CD ... and they promise that it will have their "soul" sound on it. Their first CD was good, but as their leader, Mike, said to me, "It was too white." I wouldn't have said that, but I did verbally agree with him and thanked him for saying what I was thinking.
Cordelia (our servant over fellowship) and her team put together a great continental breakfast and the fellowship hall was filled with people between 9 and 10. She always comes through for us on the fellowship, whether we're eating or just getting together.
Hope you had a joyful experience with your church family.
Friday, November 18, 2005
PsychoDog
On CBS Morning news, they ran a piece about a study that now confirms the use of dogs as a treatment for patients with severely diseased hearts. This new study shows that having a volunteer come in and spend time with a patient reduces stress by up to 12%. But have that volunteer come in with a dog and the stress is reduced by as much as 24%. (I'm sure Randy and Cecil already know where this blog is headed!)
So I'm thinking ... I have a dog that loves to be petted. Actually, Chipper better loves to have one's every living moment dedicated to her attention, but for the sake of the moment let's just say she can compromise with the petting and loves to be petted. If I can only calm her down just a bit (okay, make that a HUGE bit) so she doesn't go psycho within a half nano-second after the petting stops, I think I may be on to a retirement income! Just the thought that Chipper may actually have some intrinsic value is an intriguing thought. (Picture: Cecil w/ very lovable Chipper. Notice Cecil's restraint hold / defensive stance while appearing to actually enjoy being with the dog. Chipper's probably wondering if she can destroy the digital camera. Other than center of attention in the universe, her role in life is to seek and destroy any and everything possible. Preferrably expensive designer sunglasses and even more expensive prescription tri-focals.)
A UCLA cardiologist interviewed for the piece says the dogs must be specially trained to accept loving from strangers. Not a problem with Chipper. He also said this was the only treatment in cardiac nursing that he knows of that has absolutely no negative side effects. This is where Chipper could at least skew the research data! Her psycho hyper-activity (can you get canine ritalin?) would certainly raise the stress levels! Either way, I should be able to make this work to our advantage.
So if you don't hear from me for a while, the Dog and The Rev ... we be in training.
So I'm thinking ... I have a dog that loves to be petted. Actually, Chipper better loves to have one's every living moment dedicated to her attention, but for the sake of the moment let's just say she can compromise with the petting and loves to be petted. If I can only calm her down just a bit (okay, make that a HUGE bit) so she doesn't go psycho within a half nano-second after the petting stops, I think I may be on to a retirement income! Just the thought that Chipper may actually have some intrinsic value is an intriguing thought. (Picture: Cecil w/ very lovable Chipper. Notice Cecil's restraint hold / defensive stance while appearing to actually enjoy being with the dog. Chipper's probably wondering if she can destroy the digital camera. Other than center of attention in the universe, her role in life is to seek and destroy any and everything possible. Preferrably expensive designer sunglasses and even more expensive prescription tri-focals.)A UCLA cardiologist interviewed for the piece says the dogs must be specially trained to accept loving from strangers. Not a problem with Chipper. He also said this was the only treatment in cardiac nursing that he knows of that has absolutely no negative side effects. This is where Chipper could at least skew the research data! Her psycho hyper-activity (can you get canine ritalin?) would certainly raise the stress levels! Either way, I should be able to make this work to our advantage.
So if you don't hear from me for a while, the Dog and The Rev ... we be in training.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
I worked a funeral today (as funeral director) for a man by the name of Valdez (not Juan, for all you Columbian coffee lovers) and had the family request to not only witness the burial, but to place flowers on the vault (the concrete thingamajig that contains the casket) before it was covered. Seems to be a rather common practice at most cemeteries around here, so I assured them it would be okay.
Wrong!
Right in that it is a common practice in most cemeteries around here. Wrong in that this particular cemetery is run by a not-so-nice person who doesn't want people anywhere near the grave of their loved one prior to the burial. But here's the kicker: Not only could they not place flowers into the grave, they were not allowed to take any pictures or video photography of the burial process. That, I thought, was extremely rare if not somewhat rude. Then I discovered why.
They typically cover in the grave using a backhoe (which works just the opposite from a fronthoe). While cemetery guy (CG) #1 was working the controls inside the cab, cemetery guys (CGs) 2 and 3 were standing in the shade keeping two shovels from falling over. CG #4 (obviously the one with the least amount of seniority) was helping the backhoe operator. Just as the operator started to pull the first load of dirt into the grave, CG4 walked right between the shovel of the backhoe and the grave. Had the operator been just a little faster or a little less observant, CG4 would have been scooped into the hole! Which, by the way, was a double grave, so it was somewhat deeper and, I would guess, somewhat more difficult to exit once scooped in by a backhoe! Several times the CGs were dangerously in and around the moving hydrolic arm of the backhoe. Which explains why no video or photography! Those guys are morons!!! Needless to say, all the OSHA training and liability warnings have had little effect on the CGs at All Souls Cemetery!
Just another day in the burial business. What's not to love about that?
On another related note ... my sister has decided to join the blog world, which has several levels of interest to me. For one, it means she actually has to fire up her computer and use it! I've asked her for what, years???, to stay in touch by email but that seemed to be a daunting task. Now she's taking a huge step (all but by-passing emails) to blog! If you only knew what a gutsy move that is for her.
So, check out her link, From the Farm. Go easy on her at first. Let her get to know who you are. Then be yourselves!! I've already warned her about you ... but in a kind way, bless your hearts.
And finally, on another related note (I'm very note-relational today ... must have something to do with watching CGs almost being swept into a deep grave) our blogger brother, Keith, recently told me how much he's enjoyed coming into this warped community (my words, not his) and how much you have encouraged him. I'm proud of y'all (plural). All y'all (plural inclusive).
Now, go and enjoy the day.
Wrong!
Right in that it is a common practice in most cemeteries around here. Wrong in that this particular cemetery is run by a not-so-nice person who doesn't want people anywhere near the grave of their loved one prior to the burial. But here's the kicker: Not only could they not place flowers into the grave, they were not allowed to take any pictures or video photography of the burial process. That, I thought, was extremely rare if not somewhat rude. Then I discovered why.
They typically cover in the grave using a backhoe (which works just the opposite from a fronthoe). While cemetery guy (CG) #1 was working the controls inside the cab, cemetery guys (CGs) 2 and 3 were standing in the shade keeping two shovels from falling over. CG #4 (obviously the one with the least amount of seniority) was helping the backhoe operator. Just as the operator started to pull the first load of dirt into the grave, CG4 walked right between the shovel of the backhoe and the grave. Had the operator been just a little faster or a little less observant, CG4 would have been scooped into the hole! Which, by the way, was a double grave, so it was somewhat deeper and, I would guess, somewhat more difficult to exit once scooped in by a backhoe! Several times the CGs were dangerously in and around the moving hydrolic arm of the backhoe. Which explains why no video or photography! Those guys are morons!!! Needless to say, all the OSHA training and liability warnings have had little effect on the CGs at All Souls Cemetery!
Just another day in the burial business. What's not to love about that?
On another related note ... my sister has decided to join the blog world, which has several levels of interest to me. For one, it means she actually has to fire up her computer and use it! I've asked her for what, years???, to stay in touch by email but that seemed to be a daunting task. Now she's taking a huge step (all but by-passing emails) to blog! If you only knew what a gutsy move that is for her.
So, check out her link, From the Farm. Go easy on her at first. Let her get to know who you are. Then be yourselves!! I've already warned her about you ... but in a kind way, bless your hearts.
And finally, on another related note (I'm very note-relational today ... must have something to do with watching CGs almost being swept into a deep grave) our blogger brother, Keith, recently told me how much he's enjoyed coming into this warped community (my words, not his) and how much you have encouraged him. I'm proud of y'all (plural). All y'all (plural inclusive).
Now, go and enjoy the day.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Sunday is our annual "In Everything Give Thanks" Day in which we generally do something different in our assembly. In the past we've had drama ... special speakers, such as a holocaust survivor ... special music (even instrumental ... but don't tell anyone else in churches of Christ) ... etc. A few years ago I was so impressed by a one-man drama act using a ladder as the only prop,(his name is Wilson McNair ... I saw him at a worship conference in Nashville) I arranged to have him come to Long Beach for IEGT. Big mistake! People still make subtle threats to me over that one! Whenever I bring up something in an elder's meeting that is slightly off-center, they always ask, "Does this involve a ladder?" They don't heal very quickly, those elders.
This year we're having Psallo Praise and Worship Team, an awesome group I first heard a couple of years ago at the Pepperdine Bible Lectureship, known on the east coast as the west coast breeding ground for false teachers and heretics. For the record, I've attended Pepperdine lectures for the past 15 consecutive years and have never once seen false teachers breeding. Not in public. And I've skipped enough classes and keynote lectures that if it were happening, I would have surely noticed.
Point: I'm spending much of this week pulling together loose ends for Sunday's service. For one, we didn't have enough mic stands for a group this size, so I had the dismal task of having to spend yesterday at both Sam Ash and Guitar Center. Got the stands at a good discount as well as some speaker cables so we can run seven monitors across the stage that day. We normally use only three. Anyway, not to worry ... I survived. Even managed to retain my usual bright outlook on life and sense of humor.
So, on a totally unrelated subject, I'll leave you with a picture that was sent to me w/ the title, "Alabama Birddogs." Obviously these dogs are from West Virginia and not Alabama, but my friend who sent them was born and raised in Long Beach, CA., so what would you expect? Bless his heart.
Enjoy!
This year we're having Psallo Praise and Worship Team, an awesome group I first heard a couple of years ago at the Pepperdine Bible Lectureship, known on the east coast as the west coast breeding ground for false teachers and heretics. For the record, I've attended Pepperdine lectures for the past 15 consecutive years and have never once seen false teachers breeding. Not in public. And I've skipped enough classes and keynote lectures that if it were happening, I would have surely noticed.Point: I'm spending much of this week pulling together loose ends for Sunday's service. For one, we didn't have enough mic stands for a group this size, so I had the dismal task of having to spend yesterday at both Sam Ash and Guitar Center. Got the stands at a good discount as well as some speaker cables so we can run seven monitors across the stage that day. We normally use only three. Anyway, not to worry ... I survived. Even managed to retain my usual bright outlook on life and sense of humor.
So, on a totally unrelated subject, I'll leave you with a picture that was sent to me w/ the title, "Alabama Birddogs." Obviously these dogs are from West Virginia and not Alabama, but my friend who sent them was born and raised in Long Beach, CA., so what would you expect? Bless his heart.
Enjoy!Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Math in My Dreams
If you know me at all, you know I am severely challenged in the subject of math. To be a math moron would require that I step up to a higher level. I bring this up because Monday night I dreamed about a math test that I had to pass. Never really figured out in the dream why I just had to pass this certain exam, but it kept my mind occupied all night.
I even awoke several times and consciously tried to figure out the math problems as I lay awake. Wide awake. I'd eventually go back to sleep only to continue in my attempt to pass this exam. When the night was finally over my last dream segment had me talking with the professor asking for a D- just so I could pass the test and get on with my life!
Though I have two college degrees in psychology, I know almost nothing about dream analysis because that falls under Freud (for the most part) and I always thought he needed to see a shrink himself. So ... other than the obvious message (that being we have two math teachers in this blog family and they are now robbing me of a night's sleep through their blog influence) what might be your intepretation?
I even awoke several times and consciously tried to figure out the math problems as I lay awake. Wide awake. I'd eventually go back to sleep only to continue in my attempt to pass this exam. When the night was finally over my last dream segment had me talking with the professor asking for a D- just so I could pass the test and get on with my life!
Though I have two college degrees in psychology, I know almost nothing about dream analysis because that falls under Freud (for the most part) and I always thought he needed to see a shrink himself. So ... other than the obvious message (that being we have two math teachers in this blog family and they are now robbing me of a night's sleep through their blog influence) what might be your intepretation?
Monday, November 14, 2005
Noise
Our youth minister, Ken, gave me an interesting DVD lesson for teens by Rob Bell that seemed to parallel closely some of the sermon material I've been preaching. The DVD is titled "Noise." Bernie Krause (pictured) records natural sound as his profession and has several CDs out with nothing but natural sound. Krause says that in 1968, to record 60 minutes of natural sound (no airplanes, no cars type of sound) required about 15 hours of recording time. Today, to get that same hour of uninterrupted natural sound requires about 2,000 hours of recording time.Then the video goes silent with just white lettering on black background. Here are some of the statements / questions / Scriptures.
SUVs and Mini Vans come with separate CD / DVD systems in the back seat.
How many of us carry cell phones? Pagers? How many have voice mail and email? How many of us have cell phones with voice mail and email?
How many of us have a television? More than one?
How many of us want more visual noise around us ... such as billboards and strip malls?
Did you know you can buy wired clothing today? Coats and jackets equipped with cell phones and MP3 players?
Do we spend the same amount of time worrying and talking about our difficult, confusing situations as we do time spent in silence, listening to what God might have to say?
Why is it easier to surround ourselves with noise and activity than to stop, be silent, and listen?
Does my schedule, my time, my life look like that of a person who wants to hear God's voice? (Ouch!)
...search your hearts and be silent. Psalm 4:4The Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth be silent before him. Habbakkuk 2:20
So-o-o-o-o ... What is some of the noise in your life that needs to be eliminated so you can better hear God?
Friday, November 11, 2005
Veteran's Day
In a rare second post for the day, I thought it appropriate to share some facts on this day we are supposed to honor those men and women who have died to protect and preserve our freedoms.
Of our 229 years as a nation, we've been in full-blown war 43 years (almost 1/5 of our existence), and 53 years when you include military conflicts that were short of declared war, such as Grenada, Panama, Samolia, Lebanon, Haiti, Afghanistan, etc.
In those declared wars we have had 650,356 die in military theatres and another 528,322 die during the war, though not directly in the theatre itself. Still considered "war dead" however. So that's a total of 1,778,678 killed during wartime. That figure doesn't include "casualities" ... those sustaining non-lethal injuries and wounds. That figure is much higher than the actually dead. [Source: www.infoplease.com/spot/veteransday1.html]
Those of us who are free to "celebrate" this day, should do so with at least a moment of gratitude for the one million plus who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us to spend this day as we choose.
Just some thoughts....
Of our 229 years as a nation, we've been in full-blown war 43 years (almost 1/5 of our existence), and 53 years when you include military conflicts that were short of declared war, such as Grenada, Panama, Samolia, Lebanon, Haiti, Afghanistan, etc.
In those declared wars we have had 650,356 die in military theatres and another 528,322 die during the war, though not directly in the theatre itself. Still considered "war dead" however. So that's a total of 1,778,678 killed during wartime. That figure doesn't include "casualities" ... those sustaining non-lethal injuries and wounds. That figure is much higher than the actually dead. [Source: www.infoplease.com/spot/veteransday1.html]
Those of us who are free to "celebrate" this day, should do so with at least a moment of gratitude for the one million plus who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us to spend this day as we choose.
Just some thoughts....
Email Time Capsule
I seldom use Yahoo! email these days, but couldn't log on to Google mail for some reason the other night. There was an intriguing ad in Yahoo! ...
Actually, I would hope it would be something more spiritual than winning a lottery. What about you? What would you want to say to yourself in 20 years?
Delivery Date: 2025.I was wondering just what a 52-year-old Greg England might want to say to a 72-year-old Greg England? Other than, "Congratulations on winning the PowerLotto!"
Want to talk to yourself in the future? It's easy. Just make your own email time capsule. Yahoo! mail will ... deliver it to you in 20 years!
Actually, I would hope it would be something more spiritual than winning a lottery. What about you? What would you want to say to yourself in 20 years?
Thursday, November 10, 2005
July 9
Continued from yesterday . . .
Got a call from Josh last Saturday night. "Just wanted you to know it's official. We're engaged." End of conversation. As I said yesterday, unless you are Heather (and most of us are not), you typically get more conversation on a phone call with a mime (or a mute) than with Josh. When he came home Sunday night, he had his cell phone in one ear as he bent over to tell us, "Good-night. I'm tired." End of weekend!
So we have to piece together details as we're allowed to know them. But from conversation I've overheard and being the intuitive genius I am, here's the lowdown ... though not necessarily in chronological order.
Josh and Heather meet after some weeks of email and phone conversations. Decide almost immediately there is something here they like. Quickly decide that something is more than just liking. Officially falling in love. Heather meets Josh's parents / sister. We like Heather. Josh says she doesn't like us. We're never sure when he's kidding. After all, how could anyone not like us? Let me re-phrase that, how could anyone not like Janice and Jessica? As for me, just ask any number of church people who, over the years, have decided to go to church elsewhere. But that's another blog for another time.
Josh's parents / sister yet to meet Heather's family.
Since Josh has every other Tuesday / Saturday off, he goes to Temecula every other Tuesday (and sometimes on weeknights other than Tuesday) and spends every other weekend with her family. Heather spends the weekends Josh has to work at our place. Slowly, we get to know Heather a little better as we realize what our parents realized 35 years ago: At this point we're basically by-standers. It's out of our hands. But here's the neat part about that ... we've prayed for 24 years that God would be preparing a lady of his chosing that would eventually become Josh's wife. We believe Heather is the answer to our prayers. For the record, we're still praying for that certain young man for Jessica's life as well.
Josh's parents / sister have yet to meet Heather's family. (Hint, Hint)
One recent Saturday in Long Beach. Not a lot going on. Josh and Heather go to "just look" at rings. Monday evening, ring is purchased. Question yet to be asked. Huge secret that just about everybody knows: They're looking at rings. Huge secret yet to be discovered by most: Ring is a done deal.
Wedding sites are considered. Must be reserved long in advance. Dates are considered. Reservations are made to look at possible wedding site. Date is tentatively set. Small family wedding is the choice. Good choice!
Josh's parents / sister have yet to meet Heather's family. (HINT - HINT.)
Josh takes Heather's parents to lunch while she is teaching school and seeks their approval to marry Heather. Approval granted. Weekend at Heather's place. Question asked. Question answered. Answer: "Yes!" (which is very good since the ring was already a "done deal") Ring given. Ring accepted. Phone call to Dad, "Just wanted you to know it's official. We're engaged." End of phone conversation. We'll know more when he gets home Sunday night. NOT.
In spite of the fact that Josh's parents and sister have yet to meet Heather's family, date is confirmed. July 9. 2006. 6pm. Sunday. I am told I must keep my sermon short that day as the afternoon will be very busy. I am asked to do the wedding which is 1/2 of a dream come true. Hopefully Jessica will some day fulfill the other half of that dream. But there is one major disappointment: They don't won't any banjo music at any point in this wedding. Go figure?! Where did Heather's parents go so wrong? Where did we go so wrong? To think of the hours I've put into learning that wedding march on my banjo. I may just have to purchase a new guitar to calm my nerves after such a devastating blow. Maybe there's a music store in or near Temecula. Maybe we could meet Heather's family at that music store?
Got a call from Josh last Saturday night. "Just wanted you to know it's official. We're engaged." End of conversation. As I said yesterday, unless you are Heather (and most of us are not), you typically get more conversation on a phone call with a mime (or a mute) than with Josh. When he came home Sunday night, he had his cell phone in one ear as he bent over to tell us, "Good-night. I'm tired." End of weekend!So we have to piece together details as we're allowed to know them. But from conversation I've overheard and being the intuitive genius I am, here's the lowdown ... though not necessarily in chronological order.
Josh and Heather meet after some weeks of email and phone conversations. Decide almost immediately there is something here they like. Quickly decide that something is more than just liking. Officially falling in love. Heather meets Josh's parents / sister. We like Heather. Josh says she doesn't like us. We're never sure when he's kidding. After all, how could anyone not like us? Let me re-phrase that, how could anyone not like Janice and Jessica? As for me, just ask any number of church people who, over the years, have decided to go to church elsewhere. But that's another blog for another time.
Josh's parents / sister yet to meet Heather's family.
Since Josh has every other Tuesday / Saturday off, he goes to Temecula every other Tuesday (and sometimes on weeknights other than Tuesday) and spends every other weekend with her family. Heather spends the weekends Josh has to work at our place. Slowly, we get to know Heather a little better as we realize what our parents realized 35 years ago: At this point we're basically by-standers. It's out of our hands. But here's the neat part about that ... we've prayed for 24 years that God would be preparing a lady of his chosing that would eventually become Josh's wife. We believe Heather is the answer to our prayers. For the record, we're still praying for that certain young man for Jessica's life as well.
Josh's parents / sister have yet to meet Heather's family. (Hint, Hint)
One recent Saturday in Long Beach. Not a lot going on. Josh and Heather go to "just look" at rings. Monday evening, ring is purchased. Question yet to be asked. Huge secret that just about everybody knows: They're looking at rings. Huge secret yet to be discovered by most: Ring is a done deal.
Wedding sites are considered. Must be reserved long in advance. Dates are considered. Reservations are made to look at possible wedding site. Date is tentatively set. Small family wedding is the choice. Good choice!
Josh's parents / sister have yet to meet Heather's family. (HINT - HINT.)
Josh takes Heather's parents to lunch while she is teaching school and seeks their approval to marry Heather. Approval granted. Weekend at Heather's place. Question asked. Question answered. Answer: "Yes!" (which is very good since the ring was already a "done deal") Ring given. Ring accepted. Phone call to Dad, "Just wanted you to know it's official. We're engaged." End of phone conversation. We'll know more when he gets home Sunday night. NOT.
In spite of the fact that Josh's parents and sister have yet to meet Heather's family, date is confirmed. July 9. 2006. 6pm. Sunday. I am told I must keep my sermon short that day as the afternoon will be very busy. I am asked to do the wedding which is 1/2 of a dream come true. Hopefully Jessica will some day fulfill the other half of that dream. But there is one major disappointment: They don't won't any banjo music at any point in this wedding. Go figure?! Where did Heather's parents go so wrong? Where did we go so wrong? To think of the hours I've put into learning that wedding march on my banjo. I may just have to purchase a new guitar to calm my nerves after such a devastating blow. Maybe there's a music store in or near Temecula. Maybe we could meet Heather's family at that music store?
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Stunned by the Son
[Note: The following blog is Wife-approved.]
I gotta hand it to Only Son, he surprised us. No ... stunned us ... would be a better term. Couple of months ago we were headed up to the home of good friends on a Friday night when he let us know we'd be meeting a friend of his the next day ... around noon.
So on Saturday, around noon, we met his friend, Heather. What you may not know is that Josh didn't date in high school or college as his main focus was purely academic! His social life was more oriented to groups of friends. He has always been a rather shy young lad so his announcement regarding Heather was almost completely out of character for Josh. And he gave us almost no warning. He'd been meeting with some friends now and then for supper, but being the math-challenged-but-otherwise-genius-wannabe that I am, I never put two and two together to come up with Heather! Maybe this is where algebra might have helped me solve the ever-mysterious x? Maybe not.
Perspective on shyness: Within the past five years, people at church would come up to me and say, "I just talked with Josh!" They would be all but ecstatic. I would reply, "Yes, Josh has been talking for some time, now." They would say, "No, we actually had a conversation!" ... amazed that he could put sentences together because they'd never heard him do that. Josh hardly talked with people outside of our family, the youth group, people in the band, or other members of his baseball or football team. He defined shyness.
Enter Heather. Sweet 2nd grade teacher from Temecula, about 90 miles southeast of Long Beach. Fellow graduate of Azusa Pacific University. Beautiful smile. Long blonde hair. They met and they fell. Fast and hard. Without a parachute. (Heather, don't take this as if I'm some dirty old man ... I'm not that old! ... but I could see immediately why Josh would fall for you!) The funny thing about Josh and Heather, from Dad's perspective, is how it changed Josh. Or, maybe, how it brought out some repressed traits we'd not seen in him for thirteen years. Cases in point . . .
Conversation. He has never cared much for email and even less for telephone conversations. Trying to talk with Josh on the phone was like having a mime on the other end of the line! Almost had to guess what he'd say, because he said as little as possible. Hardly ever spent time emailing or responding to emails. Basically stuck to his academic pursuits and watching sports or playing some sports game on his PlayStation2. Amazingly, one of the things that attracted Heather to Josh is their conversational relationship! Whoddathunk?
Telephone. The phone doesn't even complete the first ring tone and we hear this voice from wherever in the house he happens to be, "I've got it!" Which I think is hilarious even weeks into this romance. If not on the phone, he's on the computer instant messaging. I'm not complaining. That's what love does. I would have been no different. Janice and I would stay on the phone for hours in the evening and often go L - O - N - G stretches of time in silence.
Shopping. Mention the word just a few months ago and he'd almost start cleaning up his room to keep from having to go shopping. Today we have short conversations similar to this.
Home. For years all he could think about was eventually leaving California for someplace he actually liked. Michigan. Florida. Perhaps even Alabama. Today all those places seem so distant and unrealistic. Temecula is looking good, even if it is desert and HOT in the summer. But as they say, home is where the heart is, right?
To be continued . . .
I gotta hand it to Only Son, he surprised us. No ... stunned us ... would be a better term. Couple of months ago we were headed up to the home of good friends on a Friday night when he let us know we'd be meeting a friend of his the next day ... around noon.
So on Saturday, around noon, we met his friend, Heather. What you may not know is that Josh didn't date in high school or college as his main focus was purely academic! His social life was more oriented to groups of friends. He has always been a rather shy young lad so his announcement regarding Heather was almost completely out of character for Josh. And he gave us almost no warning. He'd been meeting with some friends now and then for supper, but being the math-challenged-but-otherwise-genius-wannabe that I am, I never put two and two together to come up with Heather! Maybe this is where algebra might have helped me solve the ever-mysterious x? Maybe not.
Perspective on shyness: Within the past five years, people at church would come up to me and say, "I just talked with Josh!" They would be all but ecstatic. I would reply, "Yes, Josh has been talking for some time, now." They would say, "No, we actually had a conversation!" ... amazed that he could put sentences together because they'd never heard him do that. Josh hardly talked with people outside of our family, the youth group, people in the band, or other members of his baseball or football team. He defined shyness.
Enter Heather. Sweet 2nd grade teacher from Temecula, about 90 miles southeast of Long Beach. Fellow graduate of Azusa Pacific University. Beautiful smile. Long blonde hair. They met and they fell. Fast and hard. Without a parachute. (Heather, don't take this as if I'm some dirty old man ... I'm not that old! ... but I could see immediately why Josh would fall for you!) The funny thing about Josh and Heather, from Dad's perspective, is how it changed Josh. Or, maybe, how it brought out some repressed traits we'd not seen in him for thirteen years. Cases in point . . .
Conversation. He has never cared much for email and even less for telephone conversations. Trying to talk with Josh on the phone was like having a mime on the other end of the line! Almost had to guess what he'd say, because he said as little as possible. Hardly ever spent time emailing or responding to emails. Basically stuck to his academic pursuits and watching sports or playing some sports game on his PlayStation2. Amazingly, one of the things that attracted Heather to Josh is their conversational relationship! Whoddathunk?
Telephone. The phone doesn't even complete the first ring tone and we hear this voice from wherever in the house he happens to be, "I've got it!" Which I think is hilarious even weeks into this romance. If not on the phone, he's on the computer instant messaging. I'm not complaining. That's what love does. I would have been no different. Janice and I would stay on the phone for hours in the evening and often go L - O - N - G stretches of time in silence.
Shopping. Mention the word just a few months ago and he'd almost start cleaning up his room to keep from having to go shopping. Today we have short conversations similar to this.
Josh: "I won't be home for dinner tonight."(Josh objected to me sharing that "conversation" as not being fair ... that he only went shopping once. But that once was so out of character for him that I'm leaving the conversation as evidentiary. After all, it is my blog.)
Me: "So what are you doing tonight?"
Josh: "Going shopping for clothes with Heather."
Me: "Who are you? How did you get my cell number? You're calling from my son's cell phone, put him on the line immediately or I'm calling the police!"
Home. For years all he could think about was eventually leaving California for someplace he actually liked. Michigan. Florida. Perhaps even Alabama. Today all those places seem so distant and unrealistic. Temecula is looking good, even if it is desert and HOT in the summer. But as they say, home is where the heart is, right?
To be continued . . .
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Holy Hucksters
Piggy-backing onto Randy's blog yesterday about stupid commercials (and I, too, have wondered when that certain person would take his new Jeep on the underwater shark-seeing tour and then bring a law-suit against the manufacturer), I was listening to Christian radio yesterday morning when a commercial for a certain Life Principles Bible was aired.
According to this commercial, if you buy this bible (as opposed to all those other bibles on the market) it can change your life! Not because you're reading the bible, or that the Word of God is living and active and has the power to change your life. Not that the Holy Spirit can indwell a person and transform the mind and heart. But because you're reading this particular Life Principles Bible!
After all, when reading this bible you will encounter such powerful life changing insights that only this particular person could have possibly learned after years of study and marketing, as (and this comes from the ad): "Living the Christian life is having Jesus Christ live his life in and through you."
Wow! Though that is the central theme of Paul's letter to the Colossians, I was led to believe one could never know that by simply reading the bible. Only the Living Principles bible gives that depth of insight. Sarcasm intended.
I once had some respect for this particular preacher, but he's gone the way of so many other preachers turned telemarketer. It all comes down to selling your sermons any way you can get someone to buy them. I stopped buying Lucado's books for the same reason ... he started taking his books in print and breaking them down into "sound bites" for calendars and daily devotional books. Anything to sell another project.
Before you want to censor me and take me to task, I have no doubt that God will use this particular Bible to touch lives. I have no doubt that people will respond to this bible who would not be touched by another biblical publication without the "helpful" comments. After all, he takes my miserable attempts at preaching to minister to people at Long Beach. I just didn't appreciate the "tone" of the advertisement. It seemed to denegrate the power of the Word in favor of the comments by the preacher marketing his stuff.
Sort of made me want to buy the new Jeep and take an underwater shark-seeking drive.
According to this commercial, if you buy this bible (as opposed to all those other bibles on the market) it can change your life! Not because you're reading the bible, or that the Word of God is living and active and has the power to change your life. Not that the Holy Spirit can indwell a person and transform the mind and heart. But because you're reading this particular Life Principles Bible!
After all, when reading this bible you will encounter such powerful life changing insights that only this particular person could have possibly learned after years of study and marketing, as (and this comes from the ad): "Living the Christian life is having Jesus Christ live his life in and through you."
Wow! Though that is the central theme of Paul's letter to the Colossians, I was led to believe one could never know that by simply reading the bible. Only the Living Principles bible gives that depth of insight. Sarcasm intended.
I once had some respect for this particular preacher, but he's gone the way of so many other preachers turned telemarketer. It all comes down to selling your sermons any way you can get someone to buy them. I stopped buying Lucado's books for the same reason ... he started taking his books in print and breaking them down into "sound bites" for calendars and daily devotional books. Anything to sell another project.
Before you want to censor me and take me to task, I have no doubt that God will use this particular Bible to touch lives. I have no doubt that people will respond to this bible who would not be touched by another biblical publication without the "helpful" comments. After all, he takes my miserable attempts at preaching to minister to people at Long Beach. I just didn't appreciate the "tone" of the advertisement. It seemed to denegrate the power of the Word in favor of the comments by the preacher marketing his stuff.
Sort of made me want to buy the new Jeep and take an underwater shark-seeking drive.
Monday, November 07, 2005
This is a rare second-blog-in-the-same-day for me, but I'm curious about two things. One, how many people actually return to this site after having read it earlier. I'm sure if the truth were known, the number would be astronomical ... if not at least three!
Two: I was heading over to Forest Lawn for the internment (funeral director's term for burial) of our dear sister and friend, Ruth Henegar. As I was entering the southbound 405 from Atlantic Avenue (I know, this is far too much detail, but I'm working up to writing a romance novel some day), I noticed a very bright fluorescent green lady's high heel shoe on the side of the road. Strange. About 200 feet down the on-ramp was the mate. (Stranger still is that I actually went back down that freeway later in the day for some Chipper food and decided to pick up the evidence!) If nothing else, the shoes could have been sold on eBay. After all, about a year ago I saw where some eBay shopping moron with far more money than sense actually paid thousands of dollars for a black ghost in a Mason jar!
So I'm wondering a couple of things, being the wondering fool I am: what outfit would a pair of fluorescent green shoes actually complement; and where would one actually wear such a pair of shoes? So I'm throwing the question out to my blog family. I'm sure if anyone has any ideas, this crowd would be able to come up with something imaginative.
On another subject altogether, and seeing as this blog is read by numerous southern people, I came across this picture of a trampoline- jumping goat! I can't think of any self-respecting southern gentleman who wouldn't be impressed by a trampoline-jumping goat.
I'm outta here for now. There's a place in nearby Lakewood that occasionally sells baby goats. And I've wanted a trampoline for years!
P.S. The shoes go to the first person willing to pay the shipping! But hurry, I'm sure they'lll go fast.
Two: I was heading over to Forest Lawn for the internment (funeral director's term for burial) of our dear sister and friend, Ruth Henegar. As I was entering the southbound 405 from Atlantic Avenue (I know, this is far too much detail, but I'm working up to writing a romance novel some day), I noticed a very bright fluorescent green lady's high heel shoe on the side of the road. Strange. About 200 feet down the on-ramp was the mate. (Stranger still is that I actually went back down that freeway later in the day for some Chipper food and decided to pick up the evidence!) If nothing else, the shoes could have been sold on eBay. After all, about a year ago I saw where some eBay shopping moron with far more money than sense actually paid thousands of dollars for a black ghost in a Mason jar!So I'm wondering a couple of things, being the wondering fool I am: what outfit would a pair of fluorescent green shoes actually complement; and where would one actually wear such a pair of shoes? So I'm throwing the question out to my blog family. I'm sure if anyone has any ideas, this crowd would be able to come up with something imaginative.
On another subject altogether, and seeing as this blog is read by numerous southern people, I came across this picture of a trampoline- jumping goat! I can't think of any self-respecting southern gentleman who wouldn't be impressed by a trampoline-jumping goat.I'm outta here for now. There's a place in nearby Lakewood that occasionally sells baby goats. And I've wanted a trampoline for years!
P.S. The shoes go to the first person willing to pay the shipping! But hurry, I'm sure they'lll go fast.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Sadness and Celebration
It's Sunday morning as I write this. One of those Sundays I greet with mixed emotions each November, for it is the annual weekend retreat for the ladies of our church. Though Janice does not go up the mountian (retreats aren't her thing), a lot of the women in our church do go off for the weekend and that leaves our praise team in a world of hurt, as a praise team consisting of a bass and tenor just doesn't get it. One lady with a gorgeous alto voice who just does not want to sing "on stage" and has consistently turned down offers to be a part of the team made the mistake of coming into the auditorium while "the guys" were rehearsing. She made a second mistake of saying something about there not being any women on the praise team so we did what any concerned preacher and his wife would do. We shamed her into stepping up and helping out this praise team effort! To her credit (and after much resistance) she allowed herself to be shamed into the deed. Such are the moments we really wish we could, in part, earn our salvation as this would have been worth some point value!! But God knew better.
We had a surprise with Jessica coming home for the evening and spending a part of today with us. If you read this blog regularly, you know what a joy my children are to me and I always covet any time I can have with Jessica in particular since she lives away from home.
The brother of a dear friend is here from Colorado while his sisters are up on the mountain retreating, so we're taking him to lunch with us. That table fellowship thing ... I love it.
But today also takes on a mixed note of sadness and celebration. We're honoring the life of one of the sweeter ladies God ever used to bless lives. Ruth Henegar. Her family worshipped her several years ago and the Henegar family is one of the best I've ever met. Bill, her son, recently buried his wife, Laurette, after a long battle with cancer and now finds himself joining his brothers and sister and other family members to bury his mother. She lived 91 years and truly was the lady of Proverbs 31. We've missed Ruth for many years as she had to move away from Long Beach about 10 years ago, but we've stayed in touch. I saw her at Laurette's funeral and though she was nearly blind and couldn't see my face clearly (what a blessing for her!), we shared some memories and I was blessed. What a bittersweet part of life ... to love deeply and, as a result, eventually grieve deeply.
Mom roomed with Ruth at the Pepperdine lectureship many years ago. They had such fun together and loved each other ... but I don't know anyone Ruth didn't love. Perhaps they can re-connect in their forever home and share some memories. It will be a great reunion!
We had a surprise with Jessica coming home for the evening and spending a part of today with us. If you read this blog regularly, you know what a joy my children are to me and I always covet any time I can have with Jessica in particular since she lives away from home.
The brother of a dear friend is here from Colorado while his sisters are up on the mountain retreating, so we're taking him to lunch with us. That table fellowship thing ... I love it.
But today also takes on a mixed note of sadness and celebration. We're honoring the life of one of the sweeter ladies God ever used to bless lives. Ruth Henegar. Her family worshipped her several years ago and the Henegar family is one of the best I've ever met. Bill, her son, recently buried his wife, Laurette, after a long battle with cancer and now finds himself joining his brothers and sister and other family members to bury his mother. She lived 91 years and truly was the lady of Proverbs 31. We've missed Ruth for many years as she had to move away from Long Beach about 10 years ago, but we've stayed in touch. I saw her at Laurette's funeral and though she was nearly blind and couldn't see my face clearly (what a blessing for her!), we shared some memories and I was blessed. What a bittersweet part of life ... to love deeply and, as a result, eventually grieve deeply.
Mom roomed with Ruth at the Pepperdine lectureship many years ago. They had such fun together and loved each other ... but I don't know anyone Ruth didn't love. Perhaps they can re-connect in their forever home and share some memories. It will be a great reunion!
Friday, November 04, 2005
Fiddler's Three
Years ago, when we actually had Sunday night services every week, it was almost a tradition to go just up the street to a small restaurant called Fiddler's Three and have a meal together, topped off with pie. We didn't always have the meal, but the pie was a strategic move on our part. We would come in about an hour before closing ... they hated throwing pies away, so they'd give us pies by the piece or the whole pie for a fraction of the cost, just to keep from throwing them away. I have no idea how many pies we ate and / or brought home with us after a Sunday evening at Fiddler's Three.
Then they closed the place and we never knew why. Seemed to be a popular place. Food was very good. Pies were worth the trip. But they closed and we eventually ceased to have services on Sunday nights, and a tradition I thoroughly enjoyed went down the toilet ... so to speak.
Then last week I was asked to do the funeral of an attorney. Used to be involved with a local Methodist church (founding member / sat on their board for several years), but got crossways with them over something nobody could remember and hadn't been "to church" in years. Lacking a family pastor, I got the call. Turns out, he was the owner of Fiddler's Three and several other businesses in the area. I won't bore you with why they closed ... but the mystery was solved and, in a sense, life came around full circle. I felt privileged to serve his family by speaking at his memorial service. After all, for a couple of years, he served us ... with some of the best pies I've ever eaten!
Then they closed the place and we never knew why. Seemed to be a popular place. Food was very good. Pies were worth the trip. But they closed and we eventually ceased to have services on Sunday nights, and a tradition I thoroughly enjoyed went down the toilet ... so to speak.
Then last week I was asked to do the funeral of an attorney. Used to be involved with a local Methodist church (founding member / sat on their board for several years), but got crossways with them over something nobody could remember and hadn't been "to church" in years. Lacking a family pastor, I got the call. Turns out, he was the owner of Fiddler's Three and several other businesses in the area. I won't bore you with why they closed ... but the mystery was solved and, in a sense, life came around full circle. I felt privileged to serve his family by speaking at his memorial service. After all, for a couple of years, he served us ... with some of the best pies I've ever eaten!
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Joe and Pablo
(Joe, Pablo, and Judge Henning)A few years ago a single man visited our church a few times and then disappeared. Just another person "checking out" churches. He seemed a nice guy, but we didn't seem to impress him much.
Then he came back ... several years later. This time he got a bit more involved. Got to know some people. Started showing some interest. Stayed around.
Joe is a cardiac nurse and a very impressive man. Today he manages a heart surgery practice. Pilots his own airplane. Has a nice place in Signal Hill. And last year adopted an 11-year-old boy by the name of Pablo. Honestly ... I thought he must be nuts agreeing to adopt a boy that age who'd spent his life in foster homes. Nothing against foster homes, but I've seen some nightmares ... and that's not the most stable environment for a kid to grow in. I was wrong. I've never been more impressed with a young man than I have been with Pablo. Great kid! Great manners! Great personality! Did I mention great!? I have no doubt that God put them together because they connected and bonded almost immediately.
Joe and Pablo have been dad and son unofficially for about a year ... time sort of slips away from me these days. But on Wednesday I drove up to Los Angeles to the children's courthouse to be one of the witnesses to Pablo's official adoption. He and Joe are now truly father and son. Done deal.
I met some of Joe's co-workers (very nice people, though one of them doesn't like Bugs Bunny, but that's another blog) as well as Pablo's foster family. No wonder he came turned out the way he did. They are very nice people, and taking care of two small boys even now. The judge was a bit of a character. Made us all feel very welcome and seemed genuinely pleased that Joe had such a large support group with him. He did address one question to me (I'd been introduced to the court as Joe and Pablo's minister) by referring to me as "Father." I almost didn't realize he was speaking to me! I've been thinking about getting a black robe with red and purple on it ... maybe it's time to make that move!The celebration continued Wednesday evening at Chucky Cheese (another of the better eating establishments that will peak Brady's interest!) as more friends and church family could join in the merriment. What a great way to spend a Wednesday morning / evening!
BTW: One of the missionaries we support, Scott Raab, has now become a blogger. Check him out on my link to his site. I'm sure Brady can tell you just how much it means to encourage a missionary. Scott / family are in Belgium. Thanks!
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Home ... together
Janice and I had looked forward to this past weekend for quite some time. Not only was it a special day at our church (Celebration!, when we use our praise band; and our harvest festival), Jessica was coming home and Josh and Heather would be here as well. It would be the first time we've all been together since Heather entered our lives and hearts.
Janice planned a special lunch. I was given instructions not to invite others over ... we were going to spend the day together. Family. Bonding. Laughing. Loving. So I had to "uninvite" two couples from lunch together at Fuddruckers. (Janice and I don't always communicate so well.)
Then things started to unravel a little. Nothing major. Nobody's fault. Heather had to re-schedule an appointment she was to have had on Saturday so she would have to leave earlier than expected. Jess is buried in homework, so she would need to get back to Azusa early in the evening. She suggested we have family breakfast together. If you only knew the sacrifice and commitment for her to be here by 8am! I was impressed. We enjoyed breakfast until I was called away to fill in for a singer on the praise team.
But there was still lunch. With Josh and Heather needing to leave no later than 1:50, Jan had the chicken in the oven. We would be eating within 20 minutes of coming home from worship. So we thought. The chicked wasn't done and our assembly lasted longer than we anticipated (NOT the preaching part ... it's always as long as we anticipate!), so we did what we were hoping not to do. We hit a burger joint (In-'n-Out) so Josh and Heather could be on their way.
Later in the evening, I told Janice, "I know now why Mom always looked forward to having her children come home." Even if for just a little while ... and even if things don't come off as planned ... it is such a treasured time. I have no idea when we'll try it again, but I'm already looking forward to it.
P.S. If you want a really good bible study once a week, and you are not already a subscriber to Al Maxey's "Reflections" then go to the link below and subscribe. You won't be disappointed ... and maybe even challenged from time to time.
http://www.zianet.com/maxey/refintro.htm
Janice planned a special lunch. I was given instructions not to invite others over ... we were going to spend the day together. Family. Bonding. Laughing. Loving. So I had to "uninvite" two couples from lunch together at Fuddruckers. (Janice and I don't always communicate so well.)
Then things started to unravel a little. Nothing major. Nobody's fault. Heather had to re-schedule an appointment she was to have had on Saturday so she would have to leave earlier than expected. Jess is buried in homework, so she would need to get back to Azusa early in the evening. She suggested we have family breakfast together. If you only knew the sacrifice and commitment for her to be here by 8am! I was impressed. We enjoyed breakfast until I was called away to fill in for a singer on the praise team.
But there was still lunch. With Josh and Heather needing to leave no later than 1:50, Jan had the chicken in the oven. We would be eating within 20 minutes of coming home from worship. So we thought. The chicked wasn't done and our assembly lasted longer than we anticipated (NOT the preaching part ... it's always as long as we anticipate!), so we did what we were hoping not to do. We hit a burger joint (In-'n-Out) so Josh and Heather could be on their way.
Later in the evening, I told Janice, "I know now why Mom always looked forward to having her children come home." Even if for just a little while ... and even if things don't come off as planned ... it is such a treasured time. I have no idea when we'll try it again, but I'm already looking forward to it.
P.S. If you want a really good bible study once a week, and you are not already a subscriber to Al Maxey's "Reflections" then go to the link below and subscribe. You won't be disappointed ... and maybe even challenged from time to time.
http://www.zianet.com/maxey/refintro.htm
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Halloween '05
In spite of yesterday's blog, Halloween was a fun time when I was growing up in Orlando. I'm sure we did the "trick or treat" thing when we were growing up in northwest Alabama and later in Mississippi, but I just don't remember those years. Halloween in Orlando was great fun. My older brother and his friends would stay out (as I recall ... could be way off on this) until the early hours of November 1 (of the same year, of course) and bring home literally grocery sacks (plural) full of candy.
Back then the "razor blades in the apples" and such horrors were mostly rumors that happened in the nation's more wierd places ... like southern California! But just to be sure, we would dump the candy out on the living room floor and go through it all. Then we'd divide it up to whatever degree Alan would allow us to have the candy he didn't want. I don't think I ever came home with a sack full of candy, but when all was said and done, we ate candy forever! We'd always find where Alan stashed his stuff and eat on it with or without his permission. I know his wife reads these blogs and passes them on to him so let me just say: I have no intention of making this up to you! Statute of limitations thing.
Recently someone asked if I'd never been up to Hollywood on Halloween (I thought it was Halloween in Hollywood all the time). If not, I should go up there and enjoy the freak show. So I had all intentions of driving up there tonight and just hanging out. But, alas, I'm making a trip to LAX to fetch some neighbors returning from Denver. Maybe next year.
Anyway, however you decided to spend last night, I hope you had a good evening. After the trip to LAX, I just relaxed and pretty much ignored Halloween. As fun as it was when we were kids, I enjoy ignoring it even more.
Back then the "razor blades in the apples" and such horrors were mostly rumors that happened in the nation's more wierd places ... like southern California! But just to be sure, we would dump the candy out on the living room floor and go through it all. Then we'd divide it up to whatever degree Alan would allow us to have the candy he didn't want. I don't think I ever came home with a sack full of candy, but when all was said and done, we ate candy forever! We'd always find where Alan stashed his stuff and eat on it with or without his permission. I know his wife reads these blogs and passes them on to him so let me just say: I have no intention of making this up to you! Statute of limitations thing.
Recently someone asked if I'd never been up to Hollywood on Halloween (I thought it was Halloween in Hollywood all the time). If not, I should go up there and enjoy the freak show. So I had all intentions of driving up there tonight and just hanging out. But, alas, I'm making a trip to LAX to fetch some neighbors returning from Denver. Maybe next year.
Anyway, however you decided to spend last night, I hope you had a good evening. After the trip to LAX, I just relaxed and pretty much ignored Halloween. As fun as it was when we were kids, I enjoy ignoring it even more.
