Enjoying the ride called LIFE

Regaining focus

2012-02-11T21:17:00.004-06:00

There once was a bride who said she was in love with her bridegoom and could hardly wait for the day when they would be married. She focused a lot of time and energy on buying her dress, the inviations, the food for the reception, the music for the wedding, the flowers and the decorations, that she lost interest in the wedding and especially her bridegroom.

Someone boldly told her she was losing focus on her upcoming marriage to her husband-to-be, but she vehemently rejected all the criticism, saying she was just being a good wife-to-be. And, after all, someone needed to take care of the details.

The week of their wedding, she was short-tempered and critical with almost everyone beginning with the florist, the caterer, the pastor, the church secretary, the musicians and justified her behavior by saying, "I just want everything to be right."

The day of the wedding, her criticism continued beginning with the weather, the interior temperature of the church, the flowers, the ushers, finding fault with decorations, and even her husband's hair.

Someone boldly said to her, while she was complaining, "you're going to miss your bridegroom and the joy of your wedding because you're finding fault with everything".

This story is just a fictional and anonymous story, however it could also describe some Christians who are waiting for the bridegroom (Jesus), and all the while complaining about the preparations, the peripherals and their preferences. It is possible to lose the joy by focusing on the preparation instead of the PERSON one is waiting for - the bridegroom!!!!

Christianity is about a PERSON - and that person is JESUS and He's coming!! Like the bride in the story above, it is possible to be so focused on the 'stuff' that the 'bridgegroom' gets lost!!!

This is just a story, and yet if it's true for you or someone you know...... maybe it's time to refocus on the PERSON - Jesus Christ!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR or "HAPPY YEAR"

2011-12-31T10:27:00.002-06:00

"HAPPY NEW YEAR" - "In with the new, out with the Old" - fireworks and noisemakers to ward off the evil spirits from the old year and keep them out of the new - myths of the flip of the calendar from one year to another.

When I wake up tomorrow, the calendar will change from 2011 to 2012, but will anything else change? Will I be 25 pounds lighter overnight? Will I be physically fit overnight? Will I have 6 months of emergency funds saved overnight? Will I be spiritually mature?

Those sound like foolish questions, but they really reflect the MYTHS of "Happy New Year". And, even more mythical are RESOLUTIONS, which are really little more than "Wishful thinking" without action.

To lose weight, I must change eating habits; to be physically fit means "get into the gym or on the treadmill"...... etc....

While I wish you a "Happy New Year", I also want to say that if you have resolutions or things you think you need to work on or change, "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?"

This is really true for me. For years, probably a decade, I had a resolution to lose weight. In 2011, I finally got tired or wishing for it, and lost 20 pounds....

"What are you waiting for?"

Benefits

2011-11-10T09:31:00.001-06:00

While we were on vacation last week in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, I stood at the box office to buy tickets for a music show and after I was told the price, asked if there was a senior discount and at what age. She said, “60 and above”; I replied “then I’ll take 1 senior and 1 adult”.

That question saved me a couple of dollars! While that’s not a lot of savings, it was a couple of dollars that stayed in my pocket – a benefit for being WHO and WHAT I am! Just because I am “60”, I get a reduced rate for the same show! AWESOME!!!

I thought about that situation several times since I just turned “60” in October and am getting used to that so I forgot who and what and how old I am and the “benefits” of getting older (and more mature, I’m sure).

Pondering that thought, I wonder how many times we Christians forget who we are and what “benefits” are ours as God’s children. The benefits include that God “blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph. 1:3, NIV) and that He promises to hear us when we pray, and that we can approach His throne of GRACE boldly (Heb. 4:16) and that He will be with us always (Mt. 28:20).

And, here’s another thing, we don’t have to ask if we “qualify” or are “old enough” to receive the “benefits”, they are ours because we are His child! But, if you do forget, you can ask and QUALIFY as His child!

Enjoy the benefits of being God’s child – they were bought for you with the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord!

Vending machine faith

2011-10-06T21:21:00.001-05:00

“It’s not about me!” said Rick Warren in his best-selling book, THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE and that statement echoed all around the world!

Ps. 115:1 – “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory.”

aaIs life about YOU or ME, and what we do, and what we are capable of? Or is it about GOD?

Ps. 115:1 – “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory.”

When something good happens, we try to say “Glory to God!” When something not so good happens, do we say, “GLORY TO GOD?” Is God only worthy of glory if good things happen to us? Didn’t Job say, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10, ESV)

Could we be so programmed with unwritten expectations that God is almost obligated to protect His children from all harm? And then, when He allows harm, is there a sense of God failing us!?

What is the answer to those who say that God has “let them down” because He allowed problems or didn’t answer their prayers. Their disappointment result in a decision to quit serving God, quit going to church, and quit doing anything spiritual because “it does no good”. Much like a vending machine, their investment had resulted in no visible return, so they quit using the machine?

Ps. 115:1 – “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory.”

But isn’t it normal to assume that God is going to make everything OK? Even the Old Testament book of Job shows us that despite the loss of all his children and possessions, in the end, it all worked out! Isn’t that what God is supposed to do for His children because He loves us? Is God really under ANY obligation to make our lives comfortable and convenient

Then I hear Rick Warren say, “It’s not about me!” Really?

Have you heard (or said):
I’m not getting anything out of this (Bible study, church worship service, etc….)
I’m not pleased with……….
If I just understood why God is doing this to me…….
I didn’t like that sermon……
I don’t know why we have to………

God has not promised you that you’ll enjoy church always, promised you success, or a problem free life, or money in the bank, or illness free living, or even that every want and wish is going to be met! Even Romans 8:28 is misunderstood as “God is going to make it all OK”! (By the way, that’s not what it says, but it’s what we want to hear in the middle of problems!) The problem is when God does not make it OK and the problem does not go away or resolve! Sometimes, He allows the problem to continue but He gives the strength to endure! Strength to endure is light-years away from “make it all better”!

God is not some spiritual vending machine, or a spiritual “Santa Claus” who is supposed to only bring good things. Sometimes, we have to do things we don’t like in our spiritual walk, and in our church, and in our life! Sometimes we walk through the valley of the shadow of death! Sometimes, we praise God because it’s the right thing to do, even if the “vending machine” is not giving us what we want at that moment! We don’t pout and quit because God doesn’t give us what we want!

In those times, I think we begin to discover if we really understand that it really is “NOT about ME”!

What is that to you?

2011-09-24T10:20:00.004-05:00

Children - we learn a lot from them!

Maybe you've seen this: children are playing together and one (or more) of them does something wrong, and when one child is singled out and disciplined, he/she says "What about them?" Or maybe you've been driving above the speed limit, just keeping up with traffic, and you get pulled over by the police thinking "What about them?" You seemed to be singled out! Sometimes it doesn't seem fair, but no one promised life would be fair.

I've been a pastor for 30 years and have had many joys during that time. Opportunities to help people come to faith in Jesus Christ, to help them grow in their faith and trust of Him, to help them through the ups and downs of life, and ultimately to walk with them through the valley of the shadow of death before they enter the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. I've been a blessed man and pastor for these years.

Yet, sometimes, the words "What about them?" come to mind. For example: someone can regularly be mean and rude and impolite, but if the pastor is the least bit unloving for whatever reason (sometimes he gets tired too), the pastor is accused of being "UNLOVING". "What about them?" Some people can walk right past others and not say a word of welcome or "hello" but if the pastor does that, even unintentionally, he's rude. "What about them?" The pastor is accused of being "uncommitted" if he's absent from any meeting or church activity, while other leaders can be absent regularly without requiring an excuse. "What about them?" And, while others express their opinion freely and quite passionately at times, when the pastor does that, he's often criticized. "What about them?"

The apostle Peter said something like that to Jesus about John and Jesus said ".....what is that to you?" (John 21:22) Just like the parent who said, "I'm not raising them, but I'm raising you", obedience to the commands of Christ, and the reflection of His love is a "PERSONAL" not a "GROUP" thing. We each individually will give an account of our actions before the Lord God and it will not be a "What about them" time!

When I've been caught speeding, it didn't relieve my conscience or change the fact that I broke the law when I said, "What about them?" I must obey because it's the right thing to do, even if others don't.

Learning that lesson is a part of becoming mature. During these 30 years, I've apologized to people for something I've said or done, many more times than I've been apologized to! Life is not a scorecard, however, and when I'm wrong, I need to act whether anyone else does. (I hope everyone reading this, says the same thing!!!)

At times, it might seem unfair to respond kindly to the person who is rude, or it might seem unfair when someone else gets away with something that you were caught doing, but the blessing is in knowing "YOU DID THE RIGHT THING!"

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking on the form of a servant....." (Phil. 2:3-6, ESV)

"What about them?" You don't have to answer for them and they won't answer for you! So, walk right! You'll be glad you did! And, maybe, just maybe, your example will rub off and they will start doing what's right, too!

Couch potato Christians

2011-09-15T17:18:00.004-05:00

It's no secret that obesity is a major problem in the United States. Reports are not good concerning our children and their overweight and lack-of-exercise lifestyle.

"Couch potato" is a term that describes someone who sits and watches television while munching and eating food. The result of lack of exercise plus increased caloric, fat and carbohydrate intake, is usually substantial weight gain. One real irony of couch potatoes is that their weight gain occurs as they eat and watch sporting events.

I wonder if a generation or two of "Couch potato" Christians has been unintentionally in the church today. With more and more opportunities for Bible study than ever (it seems), and with churches having multiple programs and training opportunities, and even sermons and worship services are on television, radio and internet, one would think that these training opportunities would result in well-prepared and "active-in-ministry" Christians. However, statistics reflect that 20% of the members or attenders, do 80% of the work in the church. (Statistics on church work outside the church are difficult to measure!) What's even more tragic and troubling is that an estimated 50% of the people in any church, do nothing!

With more and more training opportunities and Bible studies, why is it that so few actually do the work of the church. Is there anything wrong with that picture?

Let me illustrate: the members of a football team, come together regularly and listen to the coaches teach them the plays, then they practice the plays on one another, and then they shower and go home after a great workout. The next day, they come back and do it all over; in fact, they do it every day for weeks, but never really put what they practice into a game! What's the point? That's it EXACTLY!

There are some Christians who are so newly born-again that they really don't know much of anything about the Bible, or faith, or service, or really much of anything. Like babies, they really do need the sincere milk of the Word.

However, what do they observe in more mature Christians? Bible study and training opportunity attendance is modeled by some (not all obviously) but when do they actually see the "play" on the field. Could it be that training has become a goal? Yes, training can be a goal in itself!

I am of the conviction that most Christians already know more than they are putting into practice. How many times can a tool be sharpened, if it is never or seldom used? In other words, we keep sharpening tools or skills with one training or Bible study session after another, and yet little is done with that other than discuss the information.

This reminds me of the pastor who preached a 2 minute sermon and finished by quoting "You shall be my witnesses" from Acts 1:8. The next week, he did the same thing; the 3rd week, he did the same thing. On the fourth week, the chairman of deacons asked the pastor if he was going to preach a 'real' sermon that day. The pastor said, "I'll answer your question from the pulpit." When he stood to preach, as he had for several weeks he preached the same 2 minute sermon and said, "You shall be my witnesses". Then he added, "I've been asked when I'm going to preach something else, but it seems to me that we haven't done this one yet, so until we do, I'm going to keep preaching this sermon."

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm....... or "ouch"???

Power struggles over Jesus' church

2011-09-08T20:00:00.007-05:00

Pointing fingers is the easiest thing to do when there is a problem. We hear this in the political realm, the sports realm, the business world, and certainly in the church - "it's their fault". Sometimes church members blame the pastor for the problems in the church; sometimes pastors blame the church members for the problems in the church. It's easy to point fingers and say "it's their fault".

Shannon O'Dell's book TRANSFORMING CHURCH IN RURAL AMERICA, hints that the problems in the church are the result of people who have controlled the church for years. His comments are based upon the experience of being pastor of a small rural Arkansas church where a few entrenched people were the "power" or "controlling forces" in the church. I think his comments paint too broad a stroke and cast blame on others, exempting the pastor, and that may not be fair!

Any Pastor who leads that kind of church with a "strong and autocratic leadership style" is certainly guaranteed a short-term pastorate. If, however, the pastor is not given the freedom to lead, why bother with the rhetoric of "this is God's-called-man for us", if he is not given the freedom to lead. Is the calling of God equated with agreement with the pastor's leadership? I'm afraid that may be true in many cases!

Pastors should not be dictators and the wise pastor knows that! Authority as pastor comes from position and from earned integrity and that can take time, which is a problem because most pastorates are short in terms of years! It takes time to earn integrity and leading without integrity results in a lack of 'followship'. (That's a whole different subject for another blog entry!) Suffice it to say that good and wise pastors learn they usually fail when they act like dictators!

However pastors are sometimes not allowed to lead. In the USA, especially in Baptist churches, we advocate that "every member has a vote" and that's part of the congregational process.

For consideration, I wonder if we would be wise to remember that the church is a THEOCRACY, which by definition is "GOD-RULED" not "Man-ruled". Could it be that there are times when pastors have heard a vision or word from God, and yet are limited by the need for congregational or committee approval? Is Congregational decision making found in the New Testament as the pattern of church organization? Could it be that the American Church has modeled itself after the democratic style of government in the USA?

I'm not advocating that pastors are perfect, or have the corner-market on God's vision. But, at the same time, committees and congregational voting may not be the revelation of God's will. Recently I read Acts 1, when the apostles chose Judas' replacement and they used "LOTS" to determine God's will. They didn't vote or have ballots or anything that we would use to discover God's will. And, when the LOTS were cast, there was no argument or second-guessing of God's will!!! Interesting thought!!!????

And for the MAJORITY RULE adherents, please remember that only Joshua and Caleb (2 of 12) said they should enter the Promised Land! The majority said they were too weak, and should not proceed even though God said they should, so they wandered around in the wilderness for a long time because of their majority rule!

There is no easy solution to the power struggles for control in the church. One family, or group of families may exercise great power in the church, and as a result are GIVEN that power and authority by other church members. In a situation that I am familiar with, has a "POWER GROUP" who has been responsible for the EXIT of the last several pastors. Even though many in the church recognize that problem, the "POWER GROUP" is not confronted for their sinful behavior. Some pastors in those situations learn that they are really not the leader but the "preacher" who marries and buries people and when he moves to another church, the faithful POWER PEOPLE keep the church together!

Like most situations, a compromise (somewhere between the two poles/opinions) is the best solution. I think the solution begins with asking the question - "WHOSE CHURCH IS IT, ANYWAY?"

Is the church REALLY making a difference?

2011-09-01T13:27:00.007-05:00

One time I watched a movie where the assignment was to dig a ditch and put the dirt on the other side of the prison compound. The next day, the assignment was to put the dirt back into the hole. And the point was - what? Most people don't like to do things that are just 'busy' work, without much (if any) purpose.

OK here's a question - "Is the church really making a difference in the world or are we simply moving dirt from one pile to another?"

In Shannon O'Dell's TRANSFORMING CHURCH IN RURAL AMERICA, he makes a strong and indicting comment about the church in America:

It's no wonder the unbelieving world thinks Christianity is make believe. They're asking themselves the question: Where is the Church? I'll tell you where we are - we are in some committee meeting trying to figure out what color the bathrooms should be painted, rather than pursuing, seeking, and living supernatural vision through the power of Christ who lives in us. (p. 63)

OUCH! Some might say, "That's not fair", in defense of our behavior as the church. Yet, it's really an indefensible position because it's true! How many committee meetings, or business meetings are about reaching people with the Gospel? Or are the meetings about "us" and "our wants and preferences" and what we want to do. I know of a church who annually discussed in business meeting what meat would be served at the annual Thanksgiving dinner. Did it really matter to the people who lived 2 doors away, and who needed the Lord Jesus Christ?

Where is the church? Much like a monastery, we cloister behind our doors and talk about the good news, and talk about THOSE people for whom Jesus died, and then leave commenting about the "great meeting". Did Jesus die for meetings? Or for buildings? Or for committee meetings? Or for the blue or yellow color we paint the walls?

Seriously, O'Dell hits the nail on the head. What impact does our church make on the community? Where our Sunday School class meets, what we have for Wednesday night dinner, what time we meet, or who does what - all are important to the church, I guess. Are they important to people who need the Lord? Even more, are they important to the Lord Jesus?

Let's evaluate what we do in church and ask "Does it really matter to others who don't know the Lord?" Or are we just meeting to make us feel good about where we meet, who we meet with, and when we meet?

Jesus said, "AS YOU GO..............."

SACRED COWS - "MOO" loudly in any language

2011-08-25T14:51:00.007-05:00

"Sacred cows" are not cows in India, but they sound the same in any language.

A defintion could help: "Sacred cows" are anything that when suggested to be moved, modified and removed, "MOO" loudly enough to cause a riotus ruckus affecting all nearby. (My definition, in case you couldn't tell!)

"Sacred cows" don't look like "cows" but they certainly "MOO". For example, try moving the untuned and unplayed piano that has been in a Sunday School room for more years than anyone knows, and it'll "MOO" about who gave the piano, how long it's been there, etc.... and someone will fight for the "cow".

Or try to change the time of worship or Sunday School and the most dangerous words "We've always done it that way" will be the "MOO" that is heard around the church.

In TRANFORMING THE CHURCH IN RURAL AMERICA, Shannon O'Dell tells the story of the "sacred pews". Early in his pastorate at the church, 7 youth were attending Wednesday night activities, but the vision was cast and BIG! Presented to the deacons, and approved by them was the motion that if 60 youth attended on Wednesday night, the pews could be removed. In addition, this motion was unanimously approved in business meeting.

1 month later, when 81 youth attended, the pews were being unscrewed when they "MOOED" and "MOOED" loudly. Even though there had been a church vote, and it had been approved, those pews were "MOOING". Those pews were memorializing a family or church member, and there were other reasons why they were "MOOING" even though they had previously approved the action.

The resulting "Battle of the Pews" had a great cost and many people left the church. Over pews? How can that be? Surely anyone would be glad that 81 youth were in attendance and hearing the Gospel, wouldn't they? Not if it means having a "sacred slaughter". To some having a "sacred cow" is more important than having "changed lives".

Here's what O'Dell said about this: "But I found out the hard way that what people say they want, what they think they want, and they actually really do want can be totally different things." (p. 73)

People can say they WANT something, until it costs the "sacred cow". Take for example, church growth. Every church member I’ve ever met has said they want the church to grow! Without exception! That is, however, as long as it doesn’t cost them anything, or require any change, or require any adjustments that inconvenience them.

Saying, “We want church growth” is not the same as “We’re willing to do whatever is necessary for church growth” and many a leader has the battle scars to show that is true!

When children outgrow their clothes and new clothes are bought, do we keep the old ones in the closet because we like them or because grandma bought them? Not usually!

When we buy a newer car, do we keep the older one in the garage, just because it has so many memories? Or course not!

Yet, in the church (and since I am a pastor, I have lots of experience in this), we tend to keep "sacred cows" around for a variety of reasons. When those cows “MOO” (and they do loudly), the value of keeping a sacred cow may outweigh the value of reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As stated in O’Dell’s example, dead relatives’ memorial plaques and pews were more important than youth who needed Christ.

I realize that last sentence may set me up for accusations of being “uncaring” and “insensitive”. However, in the long run, what really did Jesus die for? Pews, books, curtains, rooms, buildings? Or people? The question for me is “which will we serve?”

So, the next time you’re in a conversation with someone, or you listen in business meeting, or you’re in a committee meeting, listen for the “MOO”! I’m sure you’ll hear it, because those “cows” are everywhere. What you do about them determines whether or not you really BELIEVE people are more important than “sacred cows”!

RESULTS of REFUSING to CHANGE

2011-08-18T15:20:00.005-05:00

My birthday is this fall and I turn "60". Now every birthday that ends with "0" is a big one, but this one is really BIG! Since my last "0" birthday, I've had several surgeries and have found that I "tire" quicker, my metabolism is slower, and it takes me longer to do things. Someone has said that one can tell they are aging when they bend over to tie their shoe and see what else there is to do while they are down there.

We live in changing times! The car I drive today is nothing like my first car, a 1961 Buick LeSabre. Computers and email and cell phones were maybe seen on the "JETSONS" but they were fantasy, at best. So much has changed in my lifetime and will continue to change.

Occasionally at the funeral of a senior adult, the officiating pastor will comment about the changes in the lifetime of that person including: air travel, space travel, landing on the moon, changes in electronic technology, etc. Admit it, everywhere we go, and almost everything we do is filled with change.

Can that be said of the CHURCH? Of the church you attend? Of the church I attend?

Shanon O'Dell states "EVERYONE LIKES CHANGE - EXCEPT WHEN IT MAKES THINGS DIFFERENT." (p. 71 - TRANSFORMING CHURCH IN RURAL AMERICA). What a statement! Said another way, "I'm in favor of change, as long as I don't have to change!"

Talk about double-talk and saying something that doesn't make sense - that statment is it! But, stop for a minute and think about this. When is the last time in your church (for purposes of this blog, this is limited to church but it could apply to several other institutions, too) has it been said that we wanted to reach people, or do something new, but when the idea of how to do that was presented, it was met with less-than-enthusiastic attitudes? And, maybe the new idea was outright rejected!

Check out your favorite grocery store, department store, and community. It's not the same as it was years ago, and is seeking to continually change to attract NEW customers and NEW residents! Could we learn something from the business world? Does it make sense that the church methodology doesn't change? The message stays the same, I know, and the Word of God doesn't change, but what about methods?

If we ponder this statement "Everyone likes change, except when it makes things different", it really sounds foolish! At times, that's the song I hear in the church! Do you?

Clear vision

2011-08-09T16:05:00.005-05:00

When riding my motorcycle, I always wear a face shield for several reasons - face and eye protection, and clarity of vision. Believe me, the smallest of bugs can really hurt! My wife also wears a helmet and face shield, and sits behind me. If her vision is not clear, that's a nuisance for her but it doesn't affect me or where we're going!

For purposes of this blog, if the leader's vision is poor, the organization (church) is in trouble!

In Shannon O'Dell's TRANSFORMING CHURCH IN RURAL AMERICA, the second chapter is about vision and how sometimes pastors have no vision. How could that be? How could any "God-called" pastor not have vision? Or, maybe they started out with vision but something happened along the way. Maybe they attended a conference held by "super-pastor" (whoever that is) and he shared what really worked at his church. Maybe the pastor tried to share and implement the vision, but the congregational vote squelched his dreams. Maybe the pastor just settled for doing what the members wanted and served out of a sense of security and safety. Maybe the pastor cast the vision in a poor way and it destroyed his credibility!

When the leader's vision is poor or cloudy, the organization is in trouble.

What are the causes and solutions for this? Well, the leader is responsible for his own 'helmet'. The leader must keep his 'faceshield' clean of bad habits, ideas, attitudes and anything that clouds his vision; He should not depend on any "riders" for their vision or clean helmets.

In 2011, the American church is in crisis mode. Churches are still looking at other church models to see "what works". Pragmatism is not vision! Should a pastor who has a vision for the church, act with absolute authority? If he does, there will probably be a 'price' to be paid! Should that vision require approval by a committee or congregation, where there may be a member whose whose first name is "I'm against it"?

Finding and following God's vision for His church should begin with the leadership and in particular the pastor and pastoral team and godly leaders/elders. Vision is seldom communicated initially to a large group (and the Bible has shown that the majority can be wrong at times) and so depending on "consensus" is not be wise. On the other hand, when vision is shared, "buy-in" and "ownership" are expected and necessary. How that happens usually takes time, and that's something we struggle with in an "INSTANT" society!

No matter what size the church is, there is a common truth for all Christians. O'Dell states "The American church has abandoned the most simple and obvious truth of what it means to follow Jesus: you actually follow His pattern of life. You should not just love Jesus; you need to look like Jesus." (57)

The pastor should look like Jesus, when communicating the vision. He should act like Jesus when some may not follow his vision. His purposes and vision should model JESUS!

The church should act like Jesus when hearing the vision. There will sometimes be challenges and change that should be received in a "JESUS-like" fashion. The congregation must maintain a focus on others, and not on "self" and "what we like" - Jesus GAVE HIMSELF AWAY!!!!

There are no easy solutions to this very complex issue of vision. It sounds like it should be easy to keep the faceshield clean and follow the leader. If every church member's opinion is given equal weight, whose "vision" is correct?

Several years ago, (and I'm paraphrasing now) a survey was taken in churches about who the church exists for! More than 90% of church members said the church exists for them, the church members; More than 90% of pastors said the church exists for those who are not in it. How do those two opposing opinions coordinate? Maybe, we're identifying part of the problem.... the solution is always "JESUS"! If I remember correctly, He came to "seek and save the Lost" and searched for the "Lost Sheep" and "GAVE HIMSELF AWAY"!

Who's leading WHO?

2011-08-04T08:45:00.007-05:00

Isn't it interesting how when we hear 'success stories', the response is "WOW, I wish we could experience that!" Whether that response is from honesty or jealousy, we like to experience success. Who doesn't?

When I learned of a success story in a rural church in Arkansas, highlighted in our state Baptist paper, I wanted to read it for myself. TRANFORMING CHURCH IN RURAL AMERICA, by Shannon O'Dell is a book I recommend for every Christian and pastor in rural, urban or suburan America. You probably won't agree with everything, but his story is very interesting.

Growing a church from 30 to thousands is a model of success. However, as with all success stories, many heartaches and headaches and struggles were hurdled, not without some cost!

I'm anticipating writing several blog entries that have caused me to reflect on church. Currently, I am in a 'large' church (average attendance about 200 on Sunday morning) but his principles may not be limited by size!

For example, on leadership, he states "Most rural pastors may hear from God but they can't go forward because someone else is leading the church other than them." (44-45)

A Baptist hallmark is that the pastor is called and 'responsible' or 'accountable' to the congregation. "Checks and balances", known as "Congregational authority" is a good thing, usually!

Paraphrasing Shannon, he says that if a pilot is flying an airplane and he needs to throttle up to go over a mountain range, does he ask for a vote? Or if the doctor is performing surgery and there are complications, does he call for a vote?

There is a need for 'checks and balances' in organizations and churches. Someone said "absolute power corrupts absolutely". However....well let me quote him beause it's so powerful:

"You're telling me you trust me with your kids' salvation, with marrying your grandkids, with baptizing your wife....but you don't trust me enough to lead in the way we are going to go?" (44)

I'm guessing this comment will generate some thoughts about what a pastor should or shouldn't do, or about the importance of congregational voting, or etc.....

Having seen this more than a few times, a congregational church CALLS the pastor, affirming him, giving him the authority to lead. When he then leads in directions that He senses are from God, but are uncomfortable or unfamiliar to the church, often the result is "questions" and the "need for a vote" or even an unwillingness to follow. What happened to the CALL? Is it only a call to "do what the majority of church members want"?

Shannon O'Dell goes so far as to say "I began to realize that many struggling rural churches don't want a real pastor to lead them: they just want a pacifier to nurse them through the years." (47)

Talk about a strong statement! I read that to someone and they said, "WOW!!!!"

When you read this, please understand that I am having the time of my life as a pastor, after 3 decades of pastoral ministry. Some of Shannon's comments are quite strong! Yet, are they accurately painful? If change is needed, and reading a book motivates that change, wouldn't that be good for the Kingdom?

More to follow..............

Why would you want to do that?

2011-06-28T15:53:00.002-05:00

Being a motorcycle rider, I occasionally hear someone ask, "Why would you want to do that?" The question was not a request for information, and it surely felt like an accusation that I was doing something wrong, or at least foolish.

When I started riding motorcycles, it was with the approval of my wife (after all we are a team), and after the successful completion of the SAFETY RIDER SEMINAR. I don't have a 'death wish' and certainly know that there are many ways a person could endanger their life.

However, riding motorcycles is something that is hard to describe unless you've ever ridden one. The stress relief, the enjoyment of God's creation, the freedom of being in the open air - there's no way to describe the enjoyment and benefits of motorcycle riding. And, my wife says I'm easier to live with, after riding!

I once knew a man who worked on the electric towers at the Lake of the Ozarks and would climb up hundreds of feet on them. I did ask him, "Why do you do that?" and it was for information because I wondered what made a person do that (besides a paycheck and fulfillment of one's duties at work).

People jump out of airplanes, walk on a tightrope wire, swallow fire, rush into buildings on fire to rescue people, teach children because they want to (not surely for the 'too-low' salary) - well, I hope you get the point.

"Why do we do the things we do?" Life would be very boring if we all were alike, wouldn't it? Celebrate motorcycles if you ride one; celebrate other types of vehicles if motorcycles are not for you. Instead of being critical of someone who does things you wouldn't, be glad for what you can (and like to) do!

But, if you'd like to go for a ride, I'll be glad to take you!

Simple minded

2011-05-17T08:24:00.002-05:00

I guess I'm just a simple minded person.

When I balance my checkbook, it has to balance or I have to get it balanced, and cannot spend more than what is in my checkbook. That seems simple to me - don't spend more than I make. Why is it OK for the Federal Government to be $14+ trillion in debt with more accumulating each day?

Being married means I am married to my best friend, and if I 'stray' there's going to be a major cost. So, I've determined to stay 'true'. The former governor of California announced today that he had a 'love child' with a former aid. Couldn't that have been prevented? It sounds simple to me.

Actions have consequences! That sounds simple and maybe it's just too simple to some. I think I'll continue to be a simple person!

QUESTIONS

2011-05-12T15:03:00.002-05:00

Ever hear someone say "the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know!"

In this season of graduations, we welcome the graduates to those of us "who don't know as much as we thought we did!"

On a different note, I was noticing how some of Jesus' ministry poses questions to me. Here are 3 (no 4) examples:

1 - Mk. 1:21ff - Jesus casts a man possessed by an evil spirit out of the synagogue. One might think that in the 'house of God' the evil spirit wouldn't be comfortable. What was the evil spirit doing in the 'house of God'?

2 - Mk. 1:29ff - Jesus healed Simon Peter's mother-in-law of a fever. "Mother-in-law" usually means "married!" Simon Peter was married?

3 - Mk. 5:1-20 - Jesus cast the demon from the Gadarene demoniac into a herd of pigs. What was a Jew doing with a herd of pigs? Why did Jesus do that? Why did the people object to Jesus' doing that?

4 - John 2:1-11 - Jesus attended the wedding feast at Cana and Mary, His mother, told Him the wine was all gone. Jesus said, "Why do you involve me? My time has not yet come?" However, Jesus did do something when He told the servants to fill the jars with water and then He turned the water to wine. Why didn't Jesus just do what His mother asked the first time? Did Mary "twist" Jesus arm? And, on top of that and a challenge to all tea-drinking people, Jesus turned water into WINE!!!!

Each of these has answers although they require some thought and "digging". Reading the Bible with an open and inquisitive mind helps grow "faith". Try it!!!

In a split second

2011-04-25T20:48:00.003-05:00

My wife and I recently travelled to St. Louis and firsthand saw some of the devastation from the recent tornado. Large trees and rootball pulled out of the ground, houses without roofs, debris scattered in a large area - we could even see the path of the tornado as it tore off the tops of trees, and left destruction in its wake.

Isn't it interesting how things can change in a second or in the blink of an eye? We plan for the future, and yet it only takes a split second to have a major auto accident, or heart attack or natural disaster like a thunderstorm or tornado.

What can be done about these split second incidents? They still will happen, that's for sure. It seems that we may need to consider that years, months, weeks and days are made up of an ongoing collection of SPLIT SECONDS. While each second may not be catastrophic, it may be worth remembering that EVERY SECOND COUNTS!!

That means every second with a loved one, or every second spent doing 'nothing', or even every second spent being upset with someone.....they all add up!!!!

I LIKE CHANGE

2011-04-18T20:14:00.005-05:00

"I LIKE CHANGE!" Recently I read that in a book, heard that from someone in a private conversation, and then thought, "I do like change, too!"

In saying this, I realize that some will think I'm weird, odd, or a 'nut-case'. Maybe that's true! Or, maybe I'm just living my 'boomer' heritage - after all we are the generation who planned to change the world. Or maybe our world has taught me that? (We do remember when 256k was sufficient memory for our computers, don't we?). OR maybe, my Christian heritage tells me that I am a NEW creation in Christ and that "His mercies are new every morning". And, after all the entire Christian experience is about the greatest change there is when we pass from death to life, with faith in Christ. Talk about change!!!!!

About 9 years ago, I started riding motorcycles. Yes, people called me weird, but I liked the change and love riding motorcycles today! About 30 years ago, I was called by God to be a pastor of a local church and "Yes" some people called me weird. During our almost 40 years of married life, I've lived in a lot of different places both nationally and internationally and have enjoyed the change each time.

I guess it's just a part of my life - CHANGE IS A PART OF LIFE, a definite part of my life for sure. While I've been married to my sweetheart for more than 39 years, we're different than we were in 1971. Change has occurred in so many ways! I'm certainly thankful that our cars today are so much more efficient and last longer than cars did in the 1960's and 1970's.

Maybe change is something that people like when it benefits them? Hmmmm... I'll have to think on that one!

In the end, I guess I really am weird, and "really do like change."

Size doesn't determine health

2011-03-07T07:20:00.003-06:00

As a pastor, I get to hear all kinds of comments. Recently, I've heard some comments like "I don't want to be a part of a big church because it's too impersonal". In the past, I've heard "If only we were a big church".

One's reply to those comments, probably will be in large part dependent upon what size church a person attends. A statistic that is sometimes shocking to hear is the majority of Missouri Baptist Churches have less than 75 in attendance on Sunday morning. Does that mean the majority of MO Baptist Churches are healthy or unhealthy?

Let's look at this another way - are big things healthy or unhealthy? The answer to that is "YES". Some people who are large, are healthy and some are unhealthy! Ok - "Are small things healthy or unhealthy?" The answer again is "YES". Some people who are 'small' are healthy and some are unhealthy! Size doesn't determine health!

I've been a pastor for more than 30 years and have seen large churches that were both healthy and unhealthy, and seen small churches (that wished they were large) that were healthy and unhealthy.

What makes a church healthy is that it fulfills the 5 functions of a church: Worship, Evangelism, Discipleship, Fellowship and Ministry. Can that be done in a small church? Absolutely! Can it be done in a large church? Absolutely!

How does a small church do things on a large scale? I don't think it can because of size! How does a large church make people feel welcome? By doing large things on a small scale. For example in a church where 200 attend (and that's a large church), there are many small groups where people feel 'a part' of something. Large churches are really just a collection of small groups.

"But we don't know everyone" is often the comment used to oppose growth or large churches. (That comment is often said by people who are not in a large church, by the way!) In reality, even in small churches where we know everyone's name, there can be a lack of intimacy!

After 30 years of being a pastor, it seems to me that when small groups are healthy, the church will be healthy! When the church is healthy, it may or may not grow larger! Health is the goal not growth! Small things can be healthy! Large things can be healthy!

So what does it mean to be healthy? That's a subject for another posting!

Size doesn't determine health!

2011 - A Year of Possibilities

2010-12-31T07:25:00.004-06:00

Fairy tales are a wonderful way to escape the reality of real life. The good guys always win, problems are solved in minutes, and everybody lives 'happy ever after'.

There's one problem with that - it's just not REAL!

Tonight at 23:59:59, 2010 is "NO MORE". 2011 begins with possibilities and potential to start over, to begin anew, and, yes to the chagrin of some, even to make RESOLUTIONS.

The problem with most resolutions is that they can be 'fairy tale' in nature. With few or no serious attempt to make changes, they might as well be 'fairy tales', wishing upon a star or something like that.

The most common resolutions include weight loss, exercise and stop smoking. Is it any wonder why we Americans have so much weight problem, when these are little more than 'wishes'?

Another problem with resolutions, is that people tend to make too many! Like a laundry list of 'wishes', we soon discover that we cannot make that many changes at one time. 2011 may be a new year but when we wake up tomorrow morning, we're still the same person as when we went to bed in 2010.

I do have some 'intentional' possibilities (resolutions) for 2011.

1 - Intentionally dating my wife more regularly!

2 - Lose weight. How? I could wish it off, but that hasn't worked. Drinking 64 oz. of water daily, using the exercise equipment I have at home, and smaller portions are all easy things to do IF I JUST DO THEM.

3 - Read the Bible through in 2011 (again). I usually do this, and while it takes intentional effort, it is worth it!

4 - Make plans to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary this year!

These are possible to accomplish IF I take simple steps to make them happen. They need to be more than WISHFUL THINKING or Dec. 31, 2011 will find me thinking the same thoughts as today...."if only".....

It has been said - "If not now, when? If not you, who? If not now, Why?"

Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving

2010-11-22T19:23:00.003-06:00

Thanksgiving is the UNIQUELY AMERICAN celebration during the year. We often hear the history of how the Pilgrims came to America in 1620, and during the first 6 months how almost 1/2 of them died. History tells us about the American Indians and how they helped the Pilgims survive.

Yet, does this history story have any more impact on the 21st Century American than a boring history lesson? I think not!

Is Thanksgiving just a day on the Calendar? The retail stores have already looked past Thanksgiving to BLACK FRIDAY, which is more important to them. Thanksgiving doesn't even make the majority of stores any money since they ovelook Thanksgiving beginning in September.

What is THANKSGIVING? I mean genuine 'THANKSGIVING'? Am I thankful because I have a nice car, nice house, nice toys, lots of good and good clothes? I say that am I, but am I really THANKFUL? Am I jealous when someone else has a new car, or the newest toy, and I want it? Or do I just appreciate all the good stuff I have? Is our THANKS just 'materialism' under a new name?

Most of us would not be in any hurry to find this out, but here's a thought: Would we really be THANKFUL if we only had 1 set of clothes, no car, no toys, no job, no money, and 1 piece of bread for our Thanksgiving meal? The immature person would say that they could not be thankful if they didn't have STUFF. That's exactly my point - that's materialism not genuine THANKSGIVING! The maturing person sees beyond the 'stuff' and really THANKFUL people have other reasons for THANKS like health, life, friends, and hope in Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving is an opportunity for us to dig deeper than our materialism. The richer (with much more stuff) may not be any more thankful than the homeless person. Thanksgiving is an attitude of the heart! Let's stop on Thanksgiving and thank God for our Active Military Personnel and Veterans for their service! Will we share what we have on our table with anyone? Will THANKSGIVING motivate us to show love and care to others in February or July?

Confession is good for the soul

2010-11-01T06:19:00.004-05:00

It's an old saying - "Confession is good for the soul". Does anybody besides me sometimes think that sayings like these are like 'old wives' tales? Something that someone just thought up and when repeated, becomes like 'gospel'?

While reading Psalm 32, I was reminded that sin is disobedience (in one form or another) and that all sin is a problem. Yes, I said all sin! I was thinking about the way we humans categorize sin and how the sin of murder and the sin of gossip are weighed (by us). What about the sin of pride and the sin of adultery? Are they equal before and to God?

We may justify our behavior and condemn the behavior of others (especially if they are the adulterer and murderer), but the effects of sin can be subtle - building a wall between us and God. The guilt of a life lived contrary to the Word of God results in an uneasy, anxious life, fearful of God. Oh sure, we can put on a good 'front' and make it look like we're OK, but down deep inside of us, we know there's an uneasiness, guilt and uncertainty!

The writer of Psalm 32 said that when he refused to confess his sin, his guilt caused his body to waste away. But, when he confessed his sins to God, he was forgiven and his guilt was gone. Peace within and with God was the result.

"Confession is good for the soul"! It cleans up the soul; it clears away the fog; it removes the guilt; it reestablishes healthy relationships. So, why would one cover up their sin? Probably because admitting sin is not an easy thing because we are prideful people. Even Christians can be too proud for their own good!

Today would be a good day to clear away the guilt by admitting to God what He already knows. After all, Jesus came to bring us peace, so it makes sense to walk with Him in peace!

Under the umbrella

2010-10-27T06:31:00.004-05:00

Why is it that when it rains, the umbrella always seems to be 'in the car' safe and secure and dry? Good question!

This morning during my quiet time, I read Psalm 27:1 - "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear." Thoughts and pictures flooded my mind leaving me more aware of the protection and power of Almighty God and His love for me.

While Psalm 27 is about protection from enemies (remembering that King David was occasionally the victim of enemy attacks from outside and within his administration), I thought about the protection God gives His children when we are under His umbrella/care.

Using the analogy of the umbrella, those who are 'under it' are protected. It does little good having it tucked away in the car or truck or van. It does little good having a 'new umbrella' or one that was given by a family member to you as a gift.

The protection of the umbrella is good only if it's held by you and is used.

God's umbrella is very personal - it's for you, for me, and for all who are willing to walk under His care! The protection is ONLY under His umbrella, and is a powerful picture of God's love for all who are willing to walk with Him!

"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?"

How wonderful the hope and comfort of walking under God's love and care!

Unopened mail

2010-10-20T06:51:00.003-05:00

If you're reading this post, the content probably doesn't apply to you.

However, you probably know someone who has internet access, an email or facebook account, and have heard them say, "I don't read my email."

Every time I hear that, it reminds me of a time when I had a facebook account and just didn't read it. I would say, "I don't read my facebook page" and while it was a true statement, it seemed like a 'I'm too busy' statement. I don't think it was intended to be a 'I'm not going to read it' with some 'attitude' thrown in.

Think about this for a moment. What if you went to your snail-mail-box and received a piece of mail from someone you knew and just put it on the counter unopened. Then, when the sender asked you, "did you receive my mail?" you replied "Yes, but I didn't open it." Not a good answer! Not a wise answer!

Maybe you could use this answer to help people with internet/email/facebook to see that communication is a wonderful tool. It's amazing to me that some people who have internet access and receive electronic correspondence, complain about not getting enough communication when they don't open their email.

If someone doesn't have electronic acccess, it's understandable that they don't receive or read their email. But, to have an account and just refuse to read it. This is 2010 and communication methods have changed a little since 1910!

An old saying comes to mind, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't force him to drink."

So, unopened mail on the counter, or in the inbox, or on facebook is a problem.

While I'm at it - one more thing about facebook. Wouldn't it be nice if people would remember it's a social network. That means lots of people (everybody who is a friend of yours and mine) can read what is written. I really don't want to know every intimate detail of a person's life, and who is getting along with who, and what's going on in certain places that is private. "Too much information" may be worse than "not opening my email".

We all have "Pet peeves". I think this is one of mine! Or maybe 2 of mine!

Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD

2010-09-08T20:51:00.004-05:00

Some time ago, while riding along a 'country' road, I approached a sign for a 'one-lane bridge' ahead. Moving ahead slower, we approached a "YIELD to oncoming traffic" sign, then crossed the bridge and as we moved along the road, we noticed another "YIELD to oncoming traffic" sign on traffic going the other way.

This is a bit of a puzzle - how could cars coming from different directions 'yield' to oncoming traffic? Obviously someone has to yield, but if both yield at the same time, will anybody move ahead or will both cars just sit on their side of the bridge?

The title of this post is "Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD." At times, yielding is the right thing to do, even when one has the right of way. If 2 cars are heading towards the bridge, both have the right of way, but if they both exert that right of way at the same time, a crash is certain. Someone has to yield and it's not a sign of weakness.

Recently, the media has reported about the pastor who wants to burn the Koran on 911. He does have the right as US citizen, but should he do that? Several people have spoken up to say he does have the right but that doesn't make it right!

A good piece of advice is that YIELDING to oncoming traffic shows maturity, instead of demading one's way and causing a 'wreck'.

Discipline

2010-08-09T16:10:00.003-05:00

Before leaving for a ride, there are several things a motorcyclist must do including (1)inspect tires & check tire pressure (since tires can lose 1 pound of air per month), (2)check oil level, (3)check brake fluid level, and a walk-around the bike to be sure everything is OK.

Also, a rider must be sure to wear safety equipment like helmet, goggles, and riding gear. In this hot summer weather, it's very tempting to ride in shorts and even flip-flops or sandals, but they provide little protection in case of an emergency or 'fall'.

It can be a minor mistake or even a tragedy, to ignore these 'disciplines' to prepare to ride.

While riding, there are the disciplines common to motorcycling which include (1)assume that no one sees you, (2)be cautious at every intersection and driveway, (3)look both ways twice when entering an intersection. It's imperative that while riding, one stay alert at all times!

Discipline is a good word for most people. We honor the discipline of athletes with our applause and awe. We honor the discipline of our men and women in military service.

Discipline can be the difference between a safe ride and an accident, or even the difference between life and death on a motorcycle.

Discipline can be the difference between success and failure in marriage, in school, in financial success, in spirituality, and in life generally.

Jesus told His followers to "FOLLOW HIM" and "PICK UP THEIR CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM DAILY". That just doesn't happen, it's an intentional decision to be a DISCIPLE or to be DISCIPLINED as a follower of Christ.

Out of control spending or behavior is a sign of an undisciplined person. That lack of discipline (control) results in discipline (punitive), so in a sense "discipline" is unavoidable. It seems the choice is "which type of discipline" do I want?

Don't do something, just sit there!

2010-06-23T21:46:00.003-05:00

No - the title to this post isn't wrong - "Don't do something, just sit there" is the opposite of "Don't just sit there, do something".

I've been amazed at the Tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico and feel like the "don't do something, just sit there" attitude is what we've been seeing for more than 60 days. Would any of us sit by and watch our basement fill with water, and say "somebody ought to do something"? Or would we just sit there, hoping somebody would do something?

My degree is not in engineering or in 'oil', but it appears to me that people seem to be waiting for SOMEONE to do something about the problem. Except for one city where the mayor decided to get barges onto the GULF and use them as a DAM to prevent any oil from getting to the coastline. That makes sense to me. And, if the major and his city could do something, why can't others including the Federal Government do something with all their resources? After all, President OBAMA has said that he was in charge?!?

The situation in the Gulf is far removed from most of the people in the United States until it affects us with higher prices for seafood, for gas, or even preventing us from going to the white sand beaches for vacation. Then, there is a sense of 'someone should do something'.

When tempted to just sit by and do nothing, what do we do? What do I do? When the situation in government is not what we like - someone should do something. Maybe that could be YOU or ME! After all, it is supposed to be "government by the people", isn't it? When something happens in the school district, do we just sit by and do nothing, hoping someone will do something? When city council meetings are held, do we hope that someone else will do something about that particular issue that has gotten our attention?

Letting SOMEONE ELSE do something often means that nothing gets done!

It seems to me that as 21st Century Americans, we've learned "Don't do something, just sit there" quite well. Maybe it's time we relearned, "Don't just sit there, do something."

Remembering

2010-05-31T20:55:00.004-05:00

In these closing hours of Memorial Day weekend, I evaluated what we did to enjoy the holiday. The best part of the weekend began with meeting my wife at the St. Louis airport, after her week-long business trip to Chicago. I could hardly wait to meet her and decided that the rest of the weekend would rotate around being with her and fulfilling her wants and wishes. (Yes, I did miss her that much after a 5 day business trip.)

My second plan for the weekend was to ride the motorcycle sometime!

After meeting Jude early at the airport, the remainder of Saturday was filled with activity but no motorcyle riding. Sunday morning, as usual, was filled with church activities and then eating lunch with friends, but no motorcycle riding. Then, my wife wanted to look at purchasing a dog in Eldon, so we drove there and brought Chloe back home with us. Obviously, no motorcycle riding with a new 5 month old puppy in the house.

Today, Memorial Day, we slept late and then made plans to attend the Memorial Day celebration at the Jefferson City National Cemetery. I hoped that maybe we could ride sometime during the afternoon! We drove our convertible Mustang and enjoyed the beauty and warmth of the day and that was wonderful.

Arriving at the cemetery, we saw the rows of white headstones and immediately were struck with a sense of AWE! The crowd gathered at the far west side of the cemetery and we walked through the cemetery past a row of motorcycles of American Legion riders. "Nice bikes" we observed, but I wished that I was riding one!

My wife and I shook hands with a few people we knew, and found some unoccupied folding chairs with a clear view of the podium. Reviewing the program, we were not sure what to expect. I wore a baseball cap with "VETERAN - U.S. Navy" embroidered on it, and another Navy veteran made a comment about the hat and we talked about our mutual service.

The ceremony was filled with patriotic fervor - from the music to the Marine colorguard to the special speaker (former Special Forces man who was a 5th generation veteran) and I found tears slipping down my face while looking around at the white tombstones, thinking about the many veterans who have given ALL. The farthest thing from my mind was motorcycle riding. It seemed so insignificant as I thought my uncle Peter who died on the beaches in Normandy during WW2, and my dad who was injured as a Marine in the South Pacific. Jude had 3 brothers who served as Marines and we know what it was like serving from 1970-1974 in the US Navy during the Vietnam era.

Then, the 21 gun salute and TAPS. There is nothing else like that!

We walked to our car and commented how awesome the 90 minute service was. Everywhere we went after that, I thought about those moments at the National Cemetery. While in a store, a man walked up to me and said, "Marine - 1979-1984" and he thanked me for the years I served. It was awesome to remember what was really important!

No, I didn't get to ride my motorcyle this weekend. But, I can always ride another day. This weekend was filled with 2 memorable events - my wife returning from her business trip and a 90 minute MEMORIAL DAY celebration. How absolutely awesome to remember that along with other men and women who have served this country, I was privileged to be a member of the US Navy from 1970-1974.

Sometimes, the RIDE called LIFE doesn't let us do what we want to do. But, at the same time, sometimes during the RIDE we call LIFE, we get to stop and remember what really is important!

As Lee Greewood's patriotic song lyrics say, "I'm proud to be am American, where at least I know I'm free. And, I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me....."

I hope as you read this on Memorial Day or some other day, that you'll remember these 2 sayings: "FREEDOM isn't FREE" and "All gave some; Some gave all."

Lessons from a dog

2010-05-18T06:31:00.004-05:00

Pets are part-humans in some behaviors. If you have ever had pets, you know that is true.

We have a dog (Sierra - a chihuahua) and cat (Curious) and they have their morning routines (along with me). Each morning, we get out of bed (yes they sleep in the bed with us), march into the kitchen, open the refrigerator for their canned food, feed the cat first, then feed the dog (& keep her away from the cat's dish), and then encourage them both to go outside to do their 'duty'.

The back door has a 'doggie door' in it, so they both come in and out at their convenience. Until just recently, Curious our declawed cat stayed in the fenced yard and didn't leave. Something lured her outside the fence and on many occasions I saw her climb the cyclone fence to the 'other side'.

Yesterday morning, the cat (Curious) was no where to be found. Normally, she sleeps on my wife's side of the bed, but she was nowhere to be found through the entire morning route. On rare occasions, the cat would join us in the kitchen about the time the dog was finishing her breakfast, but not this time.

When she did not show up and it was time for me to leave the house, I had a sense that something was wrong. About an hour later, Animal Services called and they had found her dead alongside the road right behind our house. Curious had been hit by a car and was dead.

Those words are hard to hear anytime. Curious was just a cat, but it's still hard to hear because pets are like family. It's not true that the only good cat is a dead cat (as some glibly say). It hurt to hear that Curious was hit by a car and killed.

What lessons are there in this? Well, for one, Sierra, our pet Chihuahua, is lonesome! She's been sitting in my lap more than usual. Even as I type this, she's laying on the recliner with me, not laying in her bed or on the other couch. She's moping around, missing the romping and running around the couch after Curious.

Lessons from a dog - friendships are what makes life worth living. And, when that is missing, something valuable is missing in life. Sierra got to eat her breakfast first this morning and she'll not have to share anymore. But, it's still lonely. When we leave for work, the cat and dog will not be laying alongside one another on the couch. They'll not be playing or romping with one another.

Will we get another cat? I don't know. My wife wants another chihuahua and she might get her way. What I do know is that pets can teach us that relationships matter!

People watching

2010-05-17T20:05:00.003-05:00

The other day I was waiting for my wife to get her nails done, and sat on a bench in Wal-Mart watching people while drinking a cup of hot black coffee. I normally don't sit still for long and have occasionally thought that only 'old men' sit on benches and people watch. Maybe I'm getting older? No..... not me!

Anyway, going through the check-out lines, there seemed to be a lot of moms with new babies. One mom had a new baby and 2 children and they bought new bicycles. I thought about how much fun they would have riding those 18 speed bicycles and then thought about getting them home in the rain. Several couples passed through the line and sometimes the men paid the bill, but most of the time the women paid. Several people wore suits and dresses and I assumed they had been in church and stopped to shop on their way home (it was Sunday after all).

After a while, I started looking at people's feet and saw flip-flops, and wondered if they knew it was pouring down rain. If they want to have wet feet, that's their right, correct? So, I adjusted my attitude and saw even more flip-flops and sandals. Just because I wouldn't do that, it wasn't wrong. Some walked with a bounce in their step and others seemed to have pain with every step. A podiatrist probably would have been able to diagnose feet problems just from watching people.

It has been said that we learn a lot just from watching people and maybe I'll try to do more observing. People are interesting - that's for sure!

New and improved

2010-05-14T20:35:00.005-05:00

Recently, I sold the Suzuki Intruder 1500 LC that was bought 2 years ago, and purchased a 'dream machine' 2006 Yamaha Venture. My wife and I plan to do some longer distance riding and felt we needed a larger motorcycle to do that, so we bought the Venture (used) from a private party.

With the NEW (to me) BIKE, it was like having a brand new ride and it felt wonderful! NEW motorcycles, NEW car, NEW house, or NEW TV or NEW computer, etc... all bring a sense of 'now that we have it, we've really got it good'. The VENTURE was exactly what I wanted. In fact, it's nicer than anything I thought I'd ever own.

I've had a few new cars, and the NEWNESS eventually evaporates. When the smell of the new car evaporates and begins to smell stale, what happened?

When polishing the VENTURE, a few scratches were found. Yes, you guessed it - it order a touch-up paint stick from COLORRITE.com. Today, since the weather is not favorable for riding, I covered the Venture with a blanket, just like my 'baby'.

My NEW bike will eventually not be NEW. But, is the bike valuable because it's NEW or for another reason. Is it the answer to my wishes for a bike? Yes! But, the value of the bike is that I really enjoy riding it with my wife. Would I enjoy the bike as much IF she didn't ride with me? Maybe!? It is that nice, so I probably would enjoy it without her! Yet, it's so much more enjoyable with her on the back of the bike!!!

It seems to me that everything NEW seems to wear 'thin' in time. Cars, motorcycles, houses, retirement, even marriages can wear 'thin' because NEWNESS evaporates with time. Maybe, like having my wife on the back of my bike, it's not the bike as much as a relationship that makes something valuable. A new or old house is just a building! It's people that make it a HOME!

We've been married 38 years, and that's certainly not new, but since I'm married to my best friend, our marriage still seems NEW! Maybe the answer is not in the NEWNESS but in one's attitude!

What you focus on, you will HIT!

2010-04-26T06:35:00.006-05:00

"Keep your eye on the ball" is great and simple advice for baseball, golf and tennis players. If attention is fully focused on the ball, the chances are that one will hit the ball solidly!

While taking the motorcycle safety course a number of years ago, the instructor repeatedly reminded us that 'what you focus, you will hit', and was referring to the potholes or debris on the road. A motorcyclist must keep focused on the road ahead, looking past the car immediately in front of him/her and be constantly alert. Focusing intently on a pothole will almost guarantee one will 'hit' the pothole. In the spring, before pothole work has been finished, one could wreck a motorcycle very easily by focusing on the problem/pothole.

So, how does one avoid the pothole? Some you don't? Swerving too far to avoid the pothole could result in the loss of control and a wreck. Falling into too deep a pothole could have the same result. Potholes are not to be focused on, however.

Recently, I had a conversation with someone about a problem in their life. They were focused on the pothole and had trouble seeing anything good in their life. Their focus was on the 'pothole' which had become a 'sinkhole' in their life.

At times, that's probably been true for everyone. Potholes seem to be everywhere and at times, prevent us from moving forward at all, or at least very slowly. And, they seem to be placed at strategic points so as to 'wreck' us.

We all have problems, sometimes of our own doing and sometimes they just happen. Focusing on the problems or our failures really are potholes we experience in life.

Sometimes our problems are so big they feel like sinkholes.

When we're riding through life (or on a motorcycle), if we focus on the potholes, we're almost guaranteer to 'hit them' and end up 'wrecked'.

What if we admitted the presence of potholes (none of us pass the 'perfect' test), tried to avoid them without swerving too wildly, and kept our eyes focused on the road beyond the pothole? A motorcycle ride is not about avoiding obstacles, but enjoying the ride! By driving past/around/through the pothole, the ride is enjoyable and potholes are a memory in the rear view mirror.

The ride of life is not about potholes! It's about enjoying God's creation! There's nothing really more enjoyable than a motorcycle ride in sunny weather! The ride is REALLY, REALLY FUN!

Remember, the ride is not about how many potholes one can hit or count! There is no 'prize' for potholes! Motorcycling riding (and life) is much more enjoyable when we focus on the road ahead! It's about ENJOYING THE RIDE!

What you focus on, you will HIT! So, what will it be?

Riding the curves

2010-04-22T13:53:00.001-05:00

Greetings! I've been thinking of 'blogging' for quite a while, and like most things, 'considering' is not 'writing'. So, here's the beginning of the 'writing'. Hopefully someone will read this!

You may not know that I'm a motorcycle rider in my 9th summer of riding and wish I had started many years ago. The stress relief that happens when rolling the throttle is difficult to describe, and the only people I've found who can truly relate are fellow-bikers.

Nonetheless, there is something therapeutic for me about riding a motorcycle. Add 'the fun factor' and motorcycle riding seems to be good for whatever ails a person!

Recently, my wife and I were riding our motorcycle with some friends through the hills around Salem, MO. The trees were about half-full of leaves, just past the 'blooming' stage and at times provided a tent-like atmosphere. The weather had warmed enough so that one less layer of clothing was necessary.

We were the last bike in a group of 4 motorcycles, and since we were not leading, were not required to keep up the 'pace', so we lagged behind through the curves. Having an intercom system in our helmets, Jude and I can communicate easily and without yelling over the noise of the wind.

Throughout the curves, Jude said, "I don't like these curves" over and over. Almost every time we went through another "s" curve, she would say, "I don't like these curves". During the 1 hour ride through that area, it would be fair to estimate that she said that..... well I'd better not over-estimate just how many times, but she said it a LOT!

I wondered why she was so persistent about her dislike! On the back of that Suzuki Intruder 1500 LC, it was possible for her to 'car-sick' (if that's possible on a motorcycle). I didn't want to find out because she rode behind me and any projectiles would come 'forward' to me!

With that experience behind us, the application to life is an easy thing. (I find that a lot with motorcycle riding!) There are times when people are enjoying the 'curves' that come our way, and other people are not 'enjoying' them.

"STOP and LET ME OFF" is not really a possibility. Where would that have gotten Jude except in the middle of nowhere?

"STOP going through the CURVES" is not really a possiblity! The road follows a predetermined path and going "THROUGH" the trees would hurt! Another option would be to STOP the motorcycle in the middle of the road, but it's hard to get home on a motorcycle that is standing still.

"STOP going through the CURVES" (so fast)... now that was a possibility and made the curves easier to handle. At times in life, we seem to be moving so fast and when the 'curves' (unexpected or expected twists and turns) come our way, we may tend to hurry up and get past or through them to enjoy the 'thrill'. Some motorcyclists really enjoy the challenge of twists and curves (and I do too), but some don't!

The twists and turns of the road sharpen motorcyclists' skills, but if entered too fast, can be dangerous. One must be careful to ride 'in their skill level', and not 'override' their skills.

So too, with life! Sometimes, one is not equipped for the twists and turns of life and a wreck is about to happen. SLOW DOWN! If you are overriding your skills, you'll end up in the ditch. SLOW DOWN! It's amazing what you'll see if you just SLOW DOWN!

In fact, on the way home to Jefferson City, I led the pack of 4 bikes for a while and was in need of my advice to SLOW DOWN because some of the "S" curves were sharper than expected, and at least once, I was almost 'out of control'.

SLOW DOWN!!! It's OK to not keep up with the crowd. You will enjoy the ride when you're IN CONTROL!