This morning, as our lead pastor (Brian Jennings) preached his New Year message, he asked us this question: "How many of you here are teachers?" Several of us raised our hands immediately. Now, before I go on, let me ask you, "Would you have raised your hand?"
Brian assessed the relatively low number of hands in response to his question. Then he said he thought we must not have understood him; so he asked again how many of us were teachers. Several more hands went up this time. Stating again that we must not be understanding him, he asked once more, "How many of you are teachers?" Most hands in the auditorium went up this time. Then Brian affirmed the truth that all of us are teachers; we all are teaching other people by our words or by our actions. Even children are teachers. They do learn from one another, and not always good and right things.
We would all do well to remember that all education does not take place in a formal pedagogical setting. Actually, most education does not take place in these settings. We are potentially learning from others constantly. We see someone do something and conclude that that is the way to handle a given situation. We reason "that is what everyone else is doing", so it is acceptable for me to do.
I need to remember that someone may be watching me, listening to me, when I don't even realize it. And, as they watch and listen, they may be learning lessons that are detrimental to them and a shame to me that I was their teacher. It is worth contemplating your role as a teacher. May we all be better learners and better teachers in 2012.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Saturday, December 31, 2011
To blog or not to blog
To blog or not to blog - that is my question. I haven't made an entry for almost a year and a half. Occasionally, I think about it. But then I wonder if it is a worthwhile investment of my time. Will anyone read what I write? Does it really matter that my thoughts are out in the mix of the millions of other people who choose to publish their thoughts, views, opinions via the Internet? I suppose many bloggers do not consider my questions. Maybe I shouldn't.
One of the new participants in my Internet-based Bible study expressed the hope that I would invest more time in blogging. I suppose he noticed that I hadn't entered anything for a very long time. So, I will attempt in 2012 to enter something here worth your time and mine.
I shall make this proclamation as I stand on the front porch of 2012, waiting for this door of opportunity to open: I am still a grateful believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the life I have found in Him. Though I live in an age when mocking and scoffing Jesus, His Father & His Word are in vogue, I won't sit with them. Psalm One starts out with these great words of wisdom, as applicable today as the day they were first blogged - I mean written: "Blessed is the man (that would be man or woman for those who don't understand the old generic use of "man") who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in seat of mockers." Mockers are expanding their seating section in this day. Atheists are going evangelical - aggressively spreading their message. So, I unashamedly proclaim: I firmly believe in God. I believe in the God of the Bible. I believe in Jesus. He is still "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." He is my Savior, my Lord.
So, God, I ask You to use me in 2012 to further Your purposes in me and in those with whom I am allowed connect. Thank You!
One of the new participants in my Internet-based Bible study expressed the hope that I would invest more time in blogging. I suppose he noticed that I hadn't entered anything for a very long time. So, I will attempt in 2012 to enter something here worth your time and mine.
I shall make this proclamation as I stand on the front porch of 2012, waiting for this door of opportunity to open: I am still a grateful believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the life I have found in Him. Though I live in an age when mocking and scoffing Jesus, His Father & His Word are in vogue, I won't sit with them. Psalm One starts out with these great words of wisdom, as applicable today as the day they were first blogged - I mean written: "Blessed is the man (that would be man or woman for those who don't understand the old generic use of "man") who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in seat of mockers." Mockers are expanding their seating section in this day. Atheists are going evangelical - aggressively spreading their message. So, I unashamedly proclaim: I firmly believe in God. I believe in the God of the Bible. I believe in Jesus. He is still "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." He is my Savior, my Lord.
So, God, I ask You to use me in 2012 to further Your purposes in me and in those with whom I am allowed connect. Thank You!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
A Meltdown in Target
Last Saturday, while preparing our new ministry office space for our move next Saturday, my wife and I had to go shopping for some shelf paper for the kitchen and cleaning supplies. Being around the lunch hour, we decided to get a bite to eat at the cafe in Target. After eating our hot dogs, Kathy went to get a cart and I went to get a refill on my Diet Coke.
When I came out of the dining area, I noticed Kathy slowly pushing a cart my direction with a very distubed countenance. As she came closer, it became obvious that she was crying. I came to her side and asked what was wrong. I feared that she had fallen or hurt herself in some way. (She had tripped and fallen in a parking lot a few days before, so the look was familiar.) Kathy was too upset to talk.
For a minute or two I waited for her to settle down and tell me what was wrong. When she was able, she told me she had just seen a lady that looked just like Mildred Nervig, one of her mother's dear friends. Of course, it wasn't Mildred, because she had passed away even before Kathy's mom did last October.
This is how grieving typically works. From out of left field, something reminds you of your loss, and in an instant, you can be transported to an emotional place you did not expect.
When I came out of the dining area, I noticed Kathy slowly pushing a cart my direction with a very distubed countenance. As she came closer, it became obvious that she was crying. I came to her side and asked what was wrong. I feared that she had fallen or hurt herself in some way. (She had tripped and fallen in a parking lot a few days before, so the look was familiar.) Kathy was too upset to talk.
For a minute or two I waited for her to settle down and tell me what was wrong. When she was able, she told me she had just seen a lady that looked just like Mildred Nervig, one of her mother's dear friends. Of course, it wasn't Mildred, because she had passed away even before Kathy's mom did last October.
This is how grieving typically works. From out of left field, something reminds you of your loss, and in an instant, you can be transported to an emotional place you did not expect.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The A** Obama is Looking to Kick
According to news reports, President Obama said he has been talking with various experts for weeks “so I know whose ass to kick.” I can tell you, Mr. President, whose rear-end to kick. In fact, several of those experts should have already told you. I was introduced to this culprit as a teenager in the US Navy. This villain is responsible for much chaos and calamity in our world.
His name is Murphy. He is credited with the creation of a famous law that cannot be revoked, though every government and court of every nation surely would wish to do so. His law says, “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.”
So, Murphy is really responsible for the oil spill crisis in the Gulf of Mexico. Murphy did his thing when that Blow Out Protector devise failed. Something that could go wrong, did.
Engineers busy themselves trying to Murphy-proof things they build. For instance, a receptacle for a 220 volt dryer in our homes will not be mistaken for the place to plug in the vacuum cleaner that operates on 110 volts. The two receptacles are quite different. This is a design feature to keep Murphy at bay. In our newer vehicles, we must have our foot on the brake in order to put the vehicle in gear. This is another design feature to prevent accidental shifting in gear that can be destructive, even deadly.
Most of us consumers are aware of many everyday features that are attempts by designers to Murphy-proof things we use. Few of us are aware of the degree of thought given to Murphy when things are made. This certainly includes oil wells on land and sea. One thing can be counted on, Murphy will take advantage of any opportunity. Systems, designed to back up other critical systems that fail, can also fail; though rare, it happens. And, when it happens, the results are much like having had no backup system.
So, Mr President, if you can find Murphy, kick his butt for me, too. I’d really like that. If, however, you find Murphy as illusive as everyone else I have known, beware of just kicking any available to you. In your job, you’re surrounded by "asses", many of them worthy of being kicked. Though “kicking butt” may make you feel better and boost your approval rating, it won’t necessarily make anything better.
His name is Murphy. He is credited with the creation of a famous law that cannot be revoked, though every government and court of every nation surely would wish to do so. His law says, “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.”
So, Murphy is really responsible for the oil spill crisis in the Gulf of Mexico. Murphy did his thing when that Blow Out Protector devise failed. Something that could go wrong, did.
Engineers busy themselves trying to Murphy-proof things they build. For instance, a receptacle for a 220 volt dryer in our homes will not be mistaken for the place to plug in the vacuum cleaner that operates on 110 volts. The two receptacles are quite different. This is a design feature to keep Murphy at bay. In our newer vehicles, we must have our foot on the brake in order to put the vehicle in gear. This is another design feature to prevent accidental shifting in gear that can be destructive, even deadly.
Most of us consumers are aware of many everyday features that are attempts by designers to Murphy-proof things we use. Few of us are aware of the degree of thought given to Murphy when things are made. This certainly includes oil wells on land and sea. One thing can be counted on, Murphy will take advantage of any opportunity. Systems, designed to back up other critical systems that fail, can also fail; though rare, it happens. And, when it happens, the results are much like having had no backup system.
So, Mr President, if you can find Murphy, kick his butt for me, too. I’d really like that. If, however, you find Murphy as illusive as everyone else I have known, beware of just kicking any available to you. In your job, you’re surrounded by "asses", many of them worthy of being kicked. Though “kicking butt” may make you feel better and boost your approval rating, it won’t necessarily make anything better.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas Thoughts - No Fear
The Christmas story starts with angelic visits to Mary and Joseph. To each of them the angel said, "Do not be afraid" (LK 1:30 & MT 1:20). Indeed, it can be scary to have God work in and through your life. I know that experientially. It can put you in places where you do not understand what is going on or how things will work out. People around you (family, friends, and associates) typically understand even less.
Let's embrace this Christmas message: We don't have to give in to fear. We can trust God and His plans. In the chaos of this world, God is working. Let’s join Him without fear.
Let's embrace this Christmas message: We don't have to give in to fear. We can trust God and His plans. In the chaos of this world, God is working. Let’s join Him without fear.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
October 2009 - A Test!
This has been an unusually stressful month for me and my wife. Both of our mothers have not been in good health for quite awhile. Downturns in either could hardly be unexpected.
Kathy’s mom has been struggling for months with declining health. We had, therefore, planned a long weekend trip to see her Mom on October 16th through the 19th. On Wednesday, the 7th, however, we received a call from the care center that Mom Hebner had been taken to the ER; she was not responding well to staff. We headed for Iowa the next morning.
Kathy’s brothers and their wives all came to the care center, too. The eldest brother arrived on Saturday around 1 p.m.. Mom had been kind of in and out of consciousness and was somewhat communicative when conscious. She was able to be roused when Kathy’s brother and sister-in-law arrived Saturday afternoon. Around 4 p.m. that afternoon, she went into a state somewhere between conscious and unconscious. She could not open her eyes or speak, but would often have facial expressions or head nods that let you know that she was hearing things said to her. We spent precious family time huddled together in her little room.
Kathy spent the night with her mom Saturday. On Sunday, her oldest brother and his wife spent the night with her. We all knew she could slip away anytime. At about 1 a.m. that night, she did. Kathy’s brother called us as soon as she passed. We got up, got dressed, and drove to the care center. We stayed until the funeral home guy came to get her body. Somewhere around 3 a.m. we were back in bed.
I had planned to return to Tulsa on Monday. We had car trouble near Kansas City on our trip to Iowa and had to rent a car. I needed to return the rental and pick ours up from the repair shop. I also had appointments I felt I needed to keep at work. So, I came home and worked Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Through this week, Kathy and her brothers made funeral plans and took care of things like clearing Mom’s belongings out of her care center room. Friday, I drove back to Iowa. That evening we had the visitation at the funeral home.
The graveside service was in the morning and the memorial service in the afternoon on Saturday. Our children headed back home on Sunday afternoon. We returned on Monday.
We had just arrived home, had not even unpacked our car, when we received a phone call from a care center in our area. It was about a long-time elderly friend. Hospice had just informed the family that they expected her to pass within 24-36 hours. We hurriedly unpacked our car and rushed over to the care center. Our friend was barely responsive. She hung on until late Friday night.
I passed over another hugely significant experience in this week. Tuesday evening just after finishing my last appointment at 6:30, I received a call from a dear friend of ours. She was crying uncontrollably; I could hardly understand what she was saying. In fact, had it not been for caller ID, I might not have known who was crying out to me. I did hear this, “please come over; Kevin has hung himself.” Kevin was Sherry’s 41 year old son.
Kathy and I rushed to the home. As we approached the house, we saw the emergency vehicle lights. Wow! This must have just happened, I thought. It had happened sometime that afternoon. Sherry had just heard about it when she called me. She was rushing home from work as she called me, and only beat us there by minutes.
Sherry’s sister-in-law who lives with them found Kevin not long before this frantic phone call. He had hung himself in a shed in the back yard. It is hard to describe the scene of this devastated family. I was in shock myself. Investigators were all over the place. They did not remove the body for a long time. Kathy and I prayed for people. We hugged people. I made calls for the family to notify other family members.
Through the rest of this week, besides taking care of regular work responsibilities, we were going back and forth between the care center where our elderly friend was dying and our friends who were already devastated by death.
I was asked to perform both of these funeral services. It was an honor to serve. Both funerals were on Monday, October 26th. Two funerals could hardly be more different. The morning one involved such anguish. An untimely death is always difficult; suicide magnifies the pain considerably. The afternoon funeral was for a dear old lady who had outlived her only child and most of her friends at 93. It was a fun time of remembrance, mixed with the natural sadness of loss. This was a loss for which everyone had had years to prepare.
One more disturbing thing was stuck in the middle of all this drama. My own mother, as I indicated in my opening paragraph, had not been well for some time. On October 15th, the day before I headed to Iowa for my mother-in-laws funeral, Mom was taken to the ER with a heart rate of 134. She was admitted and many tests were run. Talk with the nurses over the next few days was not encouraging. She was mentally out of it much of the time. Sometimes she was her normal sweet self, expressing appreciation for the help of the hospital staff. Then, they said, she had times of “being mean to them”.
They got her stabilized and discharged her to a nursing home on the 20th. She will not return to her home, which upsets her greatly when she is mentally aware of the fact. We decided that we needed to go see her a.s.a.p., so we went to Indiana the last weekend of October.
That was a mixed-bag. For the most part, she was pleasant and mentally with us. I took my guitar, sang and played for her. She enjoyed it and expressed it.
There were disturbing things about the visit. For instance, when we first arrived, she was so happy to see us. She was in her wheelchair by the nurses’ station with a male resident sitting in front of her; they were sitting face-to-face. A nurse was standing nearby. Mom proudly and loudly introduced me to the nurse as her “#2 son.” That was cool.
But then, she pointed to the old fellow in front of her and said, “and THIS is my #1 son.” I tried to make light of it by saying, “So, Mom, did you adopt him?” She was not humored. She sternly ordered me to “go give your brother a hug and a kiss.” When I went to the old gentleman and extended my hand to introduce myself, Mom let it be known, in no uncertain terms, that “that’s no way to greet your brother.” Again, she ordered me to give him a hug and a kiss. Kathy rescued me by saying something like, “let’s go see your room, Mom.” I had nothing against the old gent, but I really wasn’t looking forward to hugging and kissing him. I don’t think he was looking forward to it either.
Well, we had some other disturbing experiences with her over the weekend. She was sometimes very confused and disoriented. It is hard to see my mother so mentally messed up. And it is getting visibly worse by the week. I expect to experience relief when I hear that she has slipped into Jesus’ everlasting arms.
It is out of our tests that we develop a testimony. I will conclude by telling you that through this month I have experienced God in a precious way. I have had strength to serve others that I knew was not my own. I have felt carried by the Spirit through several days. This is the grace of God at work. Grace is, fundamentally, Heaven’s resources to meet our earthly needs. You have heard that, “it is by grace that we are saved”; and I tell you that it is also by God’s grace that we live this Christian life.
Kathy’s mom has been struggling for months with declining health. We had, therefore, planned a long weekend trip to see her Mom on October 16th through the 19th. On Wednesday, the 7th, however, we received a call from the care center that Mom Hebner had been taken to the ER; she was not responding well to staff. We headed for Iowa the next morning.
Kathy’s brothers and their wives all came to the care center, too. The eldest brother arrived on Saturday around 1 p.m.. Mom had been kind of in and out of consciousness and was somewhat communicative when conscious. She was able to be roused when Kathy’s brother and sister-in-law arrived Saturday afternoon. Around 4 p.m. that afternoon, she went into a state somewhere between conscious and unconscious. She could not open her eyes or speak, but would often have facial expressions or head nods that let you know that she was hearing things said to her. We spent precious family time huddled together in her little room.
Kathy spent the night with her mom Saturday. On Sunday, her oldest brother and his wife spent the night with her. We all knew she could slip away anytime. At about 1 a.m. that night, she did. Kathy’s brother called us as soon as she passed. We got up, got dressed, and drove to the care center. We stayed until the funeral home guy came to get her body. Somewhere around 3 a.m. we were back in bed.
I had planned to return to Tulsa on Monday. We had car trouble near Kansas City on our trip to Iowa and had to rent a car. I needed to return the rental and pick ours up from the repair shop. I also had appointments I felt I needed to keep at work. So, I came home and worked Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Through this week, Kathy and her brothers made funeral plans and took care of things like clearing Mom’s belongings out of her care center room. Friday, I drove back to Iowa. That evening we had the visitation at the funeral home.
The graveside service was in the morning and the memorial service in the afternoon on Saturday. Our children headed back home on Sunday afternoon. We returned on Monday.
We had just arrived home, had not even unpacked our car, when we received a phone call from a care center in our area. It was about a long-time elderly friend. Hospice had just informed the family that they expected her to pass within 24-36 hours. We hurriedly unpacked our car and rushed over to the care center. Our friend was barely responsive. She hung on until late Friday night.
I passed over another hugely significant experience in this week. Tuesday evening just after finishing my last appointment at 6:30, I received a call from a dear friend of ours. She was crying uncontrollably; I could hardly understand what she was saying. In fact, had it not been for caller ID, I might not have known who was crying out to me. I did hear this, “please come over; Kevin has hung himself.” Kevin was Sherry’s 41 year old son.
Kathy and I rushed to the home. As we approached the house, we saw the emergency vehicle lights. Wow! This must have just happened, I thought. It had happened sometime that afternoon. Sherry had just heard about it when she called me. She was rushing home from work as she called me, and only beat us there by minutes.
Sherry’s sister-in-law who lives with them found Kevin not long before this frantic phone call. He had hung himself in a shed in the back yard. It is hard to describe the scene of this devastated family. I was in shock myself. Investigators were all over the place. They did not remove the body for a long time. Kathy and I prayed for people. We hugged people. I made calls for the family to notify other family members.
Through the rest of this week, besides taking care of regular work responsibilities, we were going back and forth between the care center where our elderly friend was dying and our friends who were already devastated by death.
I was asked to perform both of these funeral services. It was an honor to serve. Both funerals were on Monday, October 26th. Two funerals could hardly be more different. The morning one involved such anguish. An untimely death is always difficult; suicide magnifies the pain considerably. The afternoon funeral was for a dear old lady who had outlived her only child and most of her friends at 93. It was a fun time of remembrance, mixed with the natural sadness of loss. This was a loss for which everyone had had years to prepare.
One more disturbing thing was stuck in the middle of all this drama. My own mother, as I indicated in my opening paragraph, had not been well for some time. On October 15th, the day before I headed to Iowa for my mother-in-laws funeral, Mom was taken to the ER with a heart rate of 134. She was admitted and many tests were run. Talk with the nurses over the next few days was not encouraging. She was mentally out of it much of the time. Sometimes she was her normal sweet self, expressing appreciation for the help of the hospital staff. Then, they said, she had times of “being mean to them”.
They got her stabilized and discharged her to a nursing home on the 20th. She will not return to her home, which upsets her greatly when she is mentally aware of the fact. We decided that we needed to go see her a.s.a.p., so we went to Indiana the last weekend of October.
That was a mixed-bag. For the most part, she was pleasant and mentally with us. I took my guitar, sang and played for her. She enjoyed it and expressed it.
There were disturbing things about the visit. For instance, when we first arrived, she was so happy to see us. She was in her wheelchair by the nurses’ station with a male resident sitting in front of her; they were sitting face-to-face. A nurse was standing nearby. Mom proudly and loudly introduced me to the nurse as her “#2 son.” That was cool.
But then, she pointed to the old fellow in front of her and said, “and THIS is my #1 son.” I tried to make light of it by saying, “So, Mom, did you adopt him?” She was not humored. She sternly ordered me to “go give your brother a hug and a kiss.” When I went to the old gentleman and extended my hand to introduce myself, Mom let it be known, in no uncertain terms, that “that’s no way to greet your brother.” Again, she ordered me to give him a hug and a kiss. Kathy rescued me by saying something like, “let’s go see your room, Mom.” I had nothing against the old gent, but I really wasn’t looking forward to hugging and kissing him. I don’t think he was looking forward to it either.
Well, we had some other disturbing experiences with her over the weekend. She was sometimes very confused and disoriented. It is hard to see my mother so mentally messed up. And it is getting visibly worse by the week. I expect to experience relief when I hear that she has slipped into Jesus’ everlasting arms.
It is out of our tests that we develop a testimony. I will conclude by telling you that through this month I have experienced God in a precious way. I have had strength to serve others that I knew was not my own. I have felt carried by the Spirit through several days. This is the grace of God at work. Grace is, fundamentally, Heaven’s resources to meet our earthly needs. You have heard that, “it is by grace that we are saved”; and I tell you that it is also by God’s grace that we live this Christian life.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Freedom From Religion
A few days ago I parked next to a red car with a bumper sticker that espoused love for “Freedom from religion.” For years, I have heard about the official organization of atheists by this name.
Here is what I would like to say to the owner of that car and everyone who would be inclined to purchase such a bumper sticker for their car: You do have freedom from religion in America. No one forces you to be Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, or anything in America. You are, in fact, free to be an atheist and even free to be evangelical in your atheism as your stupid bumper sticker indicates.
The framers of our Constitution, however, DID NOT guarantee “freedom from religion”, but rather “freedom of religion.” No nation can equally guarantee both. If you were to have your way, it would mean require our government to restrict my ability to express my religious convictions to ensure your freedom.
Since you don't seem to know much about our Constitution and don't appear to think very deeply on these matters, you may not know this: There are countries that offer you “freedom from religion”. Therefore, I respectfully suggest that you consider moving there. Perhaps you would be happier. But I doubt it.
Here is what I would like to say to the owner of that car and everyone who would be inclined to purchase such a bumper sticker for their car: You do have freedom from religion in America. No one forces you to be Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, or anything in America. You are, in fact, free to be an atheist and even free to be evangelical in your atheism as your stupid bumper sticker indicates.
The framers of our Constitution, however, DID NOT guarantee “freedom from religion”, but rather “freedom of religion.” No nation can equally guarantee both. If you were to have your way, it would mean require our government to restrict my ability to express my religious convictions to ensure your freedom.
Since you don't seem to know much about our Constitution and don't appear to think very deeply on these matters, you may not know this: There are countries that offer you “freedom from religion”. Therefore, I respectfully suggest that you consider moving there. Perhaps you would be happier. But I doubt it.
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