...was the Rwandan holocaust.
In 100 days, 1 million were killed.
1,000,000.
The entire population of the Hattiesburg/Pine Belt area times 10. In 100 days.
Basically because of their ethnicity and/or their political leanings.
I was captivated by the tragic stories back then, and I still am, in the deep recesses of my soul. In the places I don't enjoy exploring because I don't like what I find there all too often.
Ever seen the movie Hotel Rwanda?
Now, I know students @ Wm Carey who are from Rwanda. Very pleasant, polite people, who are just a delight to visit with in the office or in the hallway. They laugh easy and often.
I think of Rwanda every morning. You see, we buy coffee beans in the mail from an outfit called "Land of 1000 Hills Coffee" (a.k.a., "Drink Coffee, Do Good"). Click here to go to their website & learn more about them. They grow the coffee there and are very missional in their approach. Quite a number of Rwandan "coffee widows" plant, cultivate, pick, and roast the coffee there. Land of 1000 Hills invests proceeds back into Rwanda. Schools...homes...clinics...jobs & training...all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Click THIS to see a short clip from a CNN story about the company.
1,000,000 in 100 days.
That's an average of 10,000 per day.
And much of the world went "wow, bummer...oh well, glad it's not here..." and went merrily on our way.
One hesitates to ever quote this guy, but Joseph Stalin famously said something along the lines of "1 death is a tragedy...1 million deaths is merely a statistic"
And it happened just 16 years ago. Not 160 years ago. Not 1600 years ago. 16 YEARS ago.
I have only one grand sweeping conclusion to this, that's really not all that grand & sweeping: if you ever find yourself thinking "people are really pretty good by nature after all"...remember this statistic.
One. Million. People. Murdered. In. 100. Days. SOLELY. Because. Of. Their. Tribal. Heritage.
1,000,000.
Paying a dollar or two extra per pound of coffee is an INCREDIBLY small sacrifice. (Besides, the coffee is just *vastly* superior to anything you'll find in the local grocery store). And Starbucks is not in the same universe in terms of coffee quality. But this is not about coffee.
It's about Rwanda. And about people. And about us. You. me.
How's your thought life toward those with whom you disagree religiously? How about those with whom you disagree politically? I listen to the state of American political rhetoric for the last several years, and I sometimes fear for my country. Give some of the links here a click & read or watch.
1,000,000. 100 days. 10,000 a day.
May we always remember. And always love and work so such things never happen again.
Sorrowful, yet hopeful, and always prayerful,
bb
p.s. - wanna see what God can do in hearts? Check THIS out. Only one page long...I challenge you to imagine yourself as one of the real-life characters in this story...you might need a hankie...
Friday, April 09, 2010
Thursday, April 01, 2010
For Mrs. Kemp
There was a line of ladies who tried to teach me to play the piano. By “tried” here I mean “tried with pretty much no success”…Totally not their fault of course; I’d rather have been riding my bike or swimming or shooting hoops or something than practicing piano. Which is but one of several ways I was a fool back then…Hope I’ve changed a bit!
I am very grateful to all of them, even though my piano skills never got above “meager” and time hasn’t helped. I do love a piano being played, and wish I could play. (Which is one of MANY things Mom said that I should’ve listened to…)
Anyway, I’ve been thinking on this because one of those dear ladies recently left us. Her end was hard, and her leaving was merciful. Still, she will be greatly missed by many. Some are former piano students like me…others will remember her teaching elementary school music…others are close friends of hers, like Mom…But mostly, she’ll be missed by her three sons.
One of those sons taught me to play the saxophone when I was in 6th grade. He had more success teaching me a musical instrument than his Mother did, but I still never got near his level of skill.
Another of those sons is my age and we had many an adventure along the way. I remember laughing HARD with him. Mostly we behaved…mostly, I say.
The third is younger than I, and I also remember laughing with him. I hear he still plays music, which somehow is pretty cool just now.
There was another brother the age of my brother who left us some years back.
These guys had an AWESOME mother. She was such a gentle soul with such a delicate touch on the keyboard, but also on life and on people. I’m not aware of a single person that disliked her, which is quite a remarkable feat.
Amazingly talented musically, but never chose to flaunt that talent. She was very well-schooled musically, and I recall her enjoying a wide variety of styles.
She was soft-spoken, which trait will be immediately recalled by all who knew her.
She loved her boys; all four of them.
She loved her friends. She & my Mom, for example, clicked rather quickly and stayed “clicked” until this great lady left us & went to be with her Lord a couple of weeks ago.
She loved her students. Again, soft-spoken, even when it became clear I hadn’t practiced the week’s piano lesson, or when the elementary school class was not focusing.
I’ve not seen her for years, which causes me much regretful sorrow now.
I hope…I really hope…she knew how fond I was—am—of her, despite my not demonstrating that very often nor very well.
As I say, her last days were painful and hard, and the end was merciful. Have I told you lately how much cancer sucks? *sigh*
And thus, my brother & I will be down at Mom’s this weekend, not for Easter, but for a memorial service for a wonderful lady who means a lot to my family. While I *hate* the circumstances, I am very much looking forward to re-connecting with her three sons in person. Mom fed two of them tonight, but I couldn't get here in time to join that meal. The memorial service is Saturday morning, after which there will be another service up in her native Atmore, AL. Since my children will be home, I’m heading back after the service in Ft. Walton Beach.
Rest assured, the ipod will land on some nice classical and jazz piano Saturday on the way back (think Rachmaninoff and Oscar Peterson), as I thank God for the life & influence & legacy of a teacher, a pianist, a mother, an encourager, a prayer warrior, and a friend of mine and of my Mom’s.
Rest in peace, Mrs. Kemp! Your life and your faith mattered, and you added music to this world. What higher obit could one want, after all?
With fond memories,
Mike
p.s. – join me in praying for Charles, Tom, & Robert, won’t you? And in praying for Mom and the others who are saying goodbye to a great friend.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
But God
You were...but God...
Therefore, remember...
You were...but now in Christ...
(Paul, in Ephesians 2; the quotes below in response to my questions are all from Ephesians 2))
Taught this in Sunday School a few months back. INCREDIBLE set of verses! Who knew that Paul knew me so well back in the day? *smile*
So what was I?
"dead in the tresspasses & sins in which we (I) once walked, following the course of this world, following the...spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
How did all of that change?
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us (me), even when we were (I was) dead in our trespasses"
What did He do?
"made us (me) alive together with Christ—by grace you (I) have been saved—and raised us (me) up with him and seated us (me) with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus..."
Why in the round world would He do that for such a worm as I??
"so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us (me) in Christ Jesus. "
Well, so what should I do?
"Therefore remember...that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world."
Well, yeah...I definitely remember...and?
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father..."
OK...so what??
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
And there, ladies & gents, is my story & my song.
"I was...but God...so that...therefore, I need to remember that I was...but now in Christ...so then..."
My question for you: which side of "But God...but now in Christ" are you on? Are living in "you were" or in "so then"? The answer is infinitely more important than any other question you'll ever answer.
So very thankful for "But God" & "But now in Christ Jesus"! Which is precisely what Easter is about.
bb
Therefore, remember...
You were...but now in Christ...
(Paul, in Ephesians 2; the quotes below in response to my questions are all from Ephesians 2))
Taught this in Sunday School a few months back. INCREDIBLE set of verses! Who knew that Paul knew me so well back in the day? *smile*
So what was I?
"dead in the tresspasses & sins in which we (I) once walked, following the course of this world, following the...spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
How did all of that change?
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us (me), even when we were (I was) dead in our trespasses"
What did He do?
"made us (me) alive together with Christ—by grace you (I) have been saved—and raised us (me) up with him and seated us (me) with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus..."
Why in the round world would He do that for such a worm as I??
"so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us (me) in Christ Jesus. "
Well, so what should I do?
"Therefore remember...that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world."
Well, yeah...I definitely remember...and?
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father..."
OK...so what??
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
And there, ladies & gents, is my story & my song.
"I was...but God...so that...therefore, I need to remember that I was...but now in Christ...so then..."
My question for you: which side of "But God...but now in Christ" are you on? Are living in "you were" or in "so then"? The answer is infinitely more important than any other question you'll ever answer.
So very thankful for "But God" & "But now in Christ Jesus"! Which is precisely what Easter is about.
bb
Friday, March 26, 2010
When God Ran
(written last week; final edit this morning fyi)
I call it M.A.D.H.D. I've enjoyed it for most of my life. M.A.D.H.D. means "musical attention deficit hyperactivity deficit" by the way. What it means is, I really enjoy a WIDE variety of musical grooves and groups and styles.
Which is why I really love (a) my ipod, and (b) the shuffle feature on it that randomly selects songs to play from my music list. Just this morning on the treadmill, the shuffle feature treated me to some screaming heavy metal, followed by Merle Haggard, Rodney Crowell, and then Phillips, Craig & Dean.
Some PCD songs came up that grabbed my heart. (and my tear ducts too, it seems...*blushes*) Seems I needed reminding of God's grace. Oh, sure, we believers talk about grace often. But I fear that sometimes we talk of it so much that we don't really stop and ponder it. In total amazement and awe. That's what these songs did for me this morning. It's rather easy to talk about God's grace in the corporate, academic, definitional sense. (and it's VERY important to do so, by the way!)
But that's not what I'm speaking of here. I'm talking about the CRITICAL need for all of us to ponder God's grace toward us individually. Doing so removes our egos from consideration, and shuts our prideful tongues up totally except for prayers of amazement and thanksgiving. "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner" as the guy prayed in Jesus' story.
Anyway, to me these songs get toward what I'm talking about. As I say, they grabbed my soul this morning. And my tear ducts. (What, now? That's allergies...allergies, I tell ya...*blushes again*) Read and enjoy...and receive and revel in God's grace!
When God Ran
Almighty God, the great I am
Immovable rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord
Victorious warrior, commanding King of Kings
Mighty conqueror
and the only time; the only time I ever saw Him run
CHORUS:
Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise when God ran
The day I left home I knew I’d broken His heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time – it was the only time I ever saw Him run
And then He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees
When God ran – I saw Him run to me
I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But now I know He’s been waiting for this day
I saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice I felt His love for me again
He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said, “Son”, He called me Son
He said, “Son do you know I still love you?”
He ran to me and then I ran to Him
When God ran
(click here to see a video of Phillips, Craig, & Dean singing "When God Ran"; 6:24 in length)
A Place Called Grace
So many years I heard it told
The story of compassion
A prodigal son who left the fold
And found no satisfaction
On my knees, Lord, I cried out to you,
"I'm so alone
But if there's room in Your house for one more,
I'm ready to come back home"
I know there is a place
Where arms of compassion welcome me home
Sweet mercy falls like rain
I know there's a place called grace
So many days I've trusted grace
Yet I have to wonder
How many times my human strength
Has kept me from surrender
The more I learn just to lean on the cross
The more I see
When I fall, I will fall to the place
Where mercy reaches me...reaches me
I know there is a place
Where arms of compassion welcome me home
Sweet mercy falls like rain
I know there's a place called grace
If it seems that my courage is strong
There's just one reason
He's my rock when my faith is all gone
He holds me in His arms
Gives me strength to carry on
I know there is a place
Where arms of compassion welcome me home
Sweet mercy falls like rain
I know there's a place
I know there's a place called grace
Table of Grace
Hear the good news, you've been invited
No matter what others may say,
Your darkest sins will be forgiven
You will always have a place.
At the table of grace the cup's never empty.
The plate's always full and it's never too late.
To come and be filled with love never ending
You're always welcome at the table of grace.
So come weak, and heavy hearted
Don't try to hide your earthly scars.
In His eyes, we all are equal
Don't be afraid, come as you are.
At the table of grace the cup's never empty.
The plate's always full, and it's never too late.
To come and be filled with love never ending
You're always welcome at the table of grace.
So let the first become the last
Let the poor put kings to shame.
Their willing hearts will be their treasure
By the power of Jesus' name!
At the table of grace the cup's never empty
The plate's always full, and it's never too late!
To come and be filled with love never ending
You're always welcome at the table of grace
At the table of grace the cup's never empty.
The plate's always full, and it's never too late
To come and be filled with love never ending:
You're always welcome at the table.
Everyone's welcome at the table of grace.
(back to bb) And there, ladies & gents, is how Easter applies to us in this day & time. Join me in celebrating the grace of a holy, righteous, awesome God who chooses to love & connect with hammerheads like us--like me--won't you?
Continually amazed by His grace,
bb
Saturday, March 20, 2010
A Pecan Picker-Upper...
It was just a routine stroll with Lisa through the garden section at Lowe's. Plants, fertilizers, pots, flowers, ant killers,...
And then there it was. And there I went. To a wonderful place I haven't visited in a long, long time...
I don't know what its official name is. I know what it's used for though. I actually haven't laid eyes on one in decades. It's used to pick up pecans. And thus, the instant trip to that wonderful place...But it's not just the place.
It was a neat place located on West Brunson Ave. in Enterprise, AL down in Coffee County in Southeast Alabama. The peanut capitol of the world; a small town with a monument to a pest--the boll weevil--rt in the middle of town. (A weevil infestation wiped out the cotton crop, at which point the locals planted peanuts which led to prosperity of a sort; hence the monument to a pest...) But again, it's not just the place. It's about who lived there, and made it a wonderful place filled with marvelous memories for me.
His name was John William Benton. A noble name, which is fitting for one of the more noble men to walk this earth. But that's not how I knew him. To me and my cousins, he was Papa.
Papa was a tall man who seemed like a giant to us, his grandkids. And yet, despite intimidating size, he was incredibly gentle.
He moved slowly and deliberately. He was a wise man; the kind of wisdom born not so much in education, but out of innate God-given clues and experience. He was a man of few words, though they were profound.
He loved his wife and his children (one son, followed by four daughters). His beloved Martha taught junior high history. His five children all attended Papa's beloved University of Alabama. (One grandson did too...*smile*) Papa treasured them so very much. When the youngest of the four girls got married, Papa's love showed up in the sweetest way...you know the part where the minister says "who gives this woman to be married"? Well, on this day in the early 1960s, the minister asked...and got no answer. He asked again...and got no answer, until Martha, John's wife finally spoke up and said "her father & I do"...and thus began my Aunt & Uncle's wedding ceremony. I *LOVE* this sweet part of family lore!
But as much as Papa loved his son and daughters...he also dearly loved us grandkids. Before the first of us was born, Papa had a dream. In this dream, he saw himself playing with five grandsons. It was a very vivid dream to him. I was the fourth of those boys...and the next two were also grandsons. There's a great picture somewhere of Papa with us first five, all wearing matching cowboy outfits he had purchased for us.
Somehow, it still matters greatly to me that I was dreamed about and greatly treasured by my Papa before I was even born. And it also matters greatly to me that he treasured me...us...once we arrived on the scene.
I remember when we would drive up to visit that great place in Enterprise, Papa would come out & greet Mom, Dad, Jim and me. And then, sometimes before we went inside, Papa, Jim & I would walk around the corner to Goodson's store to buy a bag of peanuts. (I still *dearly* love a bag of peanuts from a country store...parched or boiled, either is fine, but none of this spicy nonsense. They didn't serve that at Goodson's, and they didn't need it!)
I also recall Papa strolling around the yard while we grandkids had a blast picking up pecans with the pecan picker-uppers. We thought we were having a blast...I now think we didn't have NEAR as much fun doing that as he did watching us.
Papa loved listening to a Bama football game on the radio, although like at least one of his grandsons, he got VERY emotionally involved in the game's outcome. So much so that his Doctor ordered him to stop listening to games on the radio because it was bad for his heart. He would take a long, leisurely walk around the neighborhood and through the woods behind the house on Saturday afternoons to avoid the temptation to tune in.
Papa's great heart gave out in the late winter of 1965 when I was only in first grade. I am quite confident that he is now part of the great throng in glory worshipping the Lord that Papa loved, and enjoying the company of many of his family and friends and other saints.
I know I miss him, as do my cousins, some of whom have even fewer memories of our beloved Papa than even I do. And as do his four surviving children, the four girls, each one of whom were the apple of his eye.
I'm so very thankful for these memories that were sparked by a tool in the gardening section at Lowe's. And for a memory lane worth strolling down now & then. And for a rich family heritage well worth celebrating...
Perhaps one day some grown-up little boy(s) yet unborn will have such fond memories of me, their Papa...
bb
And then there it was. And there I went. To a wonderful place I haven't visited in a long, long time...
I don't know what its official name is. I know what it's used for though. I actually haven't laid eyes on one in decades. It's used to pick up pecans. And thus, the instant trip to that wonderful place...But it's not just the place.
It was a neat place located on West Brunson Ave. in Enterprise, AL down in Coffee County in Southeast Alabama. The peanut capitol of the world; a small town with a monument to a pest--the boll weevil--rt in the middle of town. (A weevil infestation wiped out the cotton crop, at which point the locals planted peanuts which led to prosperity of a sort; hence the monument to a pest...) But again, it's not just the place. It's about who lived there, and made it a wonderful place filled with marvelous memories for me.
His name was John William Benton. A noble name, which is fitting for one of the more noble men to walk this earth. But that's not how I knew him. To me and my cousins, he was Papa.
Papa was a tall man who seemed like a giant to us, his grandkids. And yet, despite intimidating size, he was incredibly gentle.
He moved slowly and deliberately. He was a wise man; the kind of wisdom born not so much in education, but out of innate God-given clues and experience. He was a man of few words, though they were profound.
He loved his wife and his children (one son, followed by four daughters). His beloved Martha taught junior high history. His five children all attended Papa's beloved University of Alabama. (One grandson did too...*smile*) Papa treasured them so very much. When the youngest of the four girls got married, Papa's love showed up in the sweetest way...you know the part where the minister says "who gives this woman to be married"? Well, on this day in the early 1960s, the minister asked...and got no answer. He asked again...and got no answer, until Martha, John's wife finally spoke up and said "her father & I do"...and thus began my Aunt & Uncle's wedding ceremony. I *LOVE* this sweet part of family lore!
But as much as Papa loved his son and daughters...he also dearly loved us grandkids. Before the first of us was born, Papa had a dream. In this dream, he saw himself playing with five grandsons. It was a very vivid dream to him. I was the fourth of those boys...and the next two were also grandsons. There's a great picture somewhere of Papa with us first five, all wearing matching cowboy outfits he had purchased for us.
Somehow, it still matters greatly to me that I was dreamed about and greatly treasured by my Papa before I was even born. And it also matters greatly to me that he treasured me...us...once we arrived on the scene.
I remember when we would drive up to visit that great place in Enterprise, Papa would come out & greet Mom, Dad, Jim and me. And then, sometimes before we went inside, Papa, Jim & I would walk around the corner to Goodson's store to buy a bag of peanuts. (I still *dearly* love a bag of peanuts from a country store...parched or boiled, either is fine, but none of this spicy nonsense. They didn't serve that at Goodson's, and they didn't need it!)
I also recall Papa strolling around the yard while we grandkids had a blast picking up pecans with the pecan picker-uppers. We thought we were having a blast...I now think we didn't have NEAR as much fun doing that as he did watching us.
Papa loved listening to a Bama football game on the radio, although like at least one of his grandsons, he got VERY emotionally involved in the game's outcome. So much so that his Doctor ordered him to stop listening to games on the radio because it was bad for his heart. He would take a long, leisurely walk around the neighborhood and through the woods behind the house on Saturday afternoons to avoid the temptation to tune in.
Papa's great heart gave out in the late winter of 1965 when I was only in first grade. I am quite confident that he is now part of the great throng in glory worshipping the Lord that Papa loved, and enjoying the company of many of his family and friends and other saints.
I know I miss him, as do my cousins, some of whom have even fewer memories of our beloved Papa than even I do. And as do his four surviving children, the four girls, each one of whom were the apple of his eye.
I'm so very thankful for these memories that were sparked by a tool in the gardening section at Lowe's. And for a memory lane worth strolling down now & then. And for a rich family heritage well worth celebrating...
Perhaps one day some grown-up little boy(s) yet unborn will have such fond memories of me, their Papa...
bb
Thursday, March 11, 2010
A Brief Exercise in Perspective
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name someone who has served you selflessly.
(exercise ends)
Friday, March 05, 2010
2 Who Matter
One was a young, hip guy that we younger, less-hip guys wanted to be. He was smooth...calm...never too agitated...and cooler yet, he played the guitar & sang all of the cool worship/rock songs of the day. Larry Norman's still-awesome apocalyptic "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" and the like. He taught us youth Bible Study in various formats, including Sunday School and whatever we called our Wednesday night times. He made Christianity seem like fun. (What a concept, huh?)
The other was my parents' age, and yet he was the guy I wanted...want...to grow up to be. Dashingly handsome...muscular...hard-working...successful in his business. A man's man, in the best sense of that phrase. He taught jr. high Sunday School. He was the first Bible teacher I had who spoke of the reality of sin and of his own redemption from its penalty and from its power. I still remember how real he was as he spoke of his own past life (B.C.), and how he did so without glorifying himself or his past shortcomings. "Fellas, let me tell you something...people will tell you that sin's ugly & repulsive. That's a lie! Sin is fun while you're doing it; it's after, when you think on what you've done & how wrong it is that it becomes repulsive." Still remember that honesty. He, too, seemed to genuinely enjoy his faith, but also he made us feel like we were HUGELY important to him.
In fact, years after I passed through his orbit, I made an appt. w/ him to have breakfast. As I told him how very much he meant/means to me, this big, strong, manly, big game hunting, hard-working type broke down & cried right there in the restaurant. He said two things that will ever haunt me: first, he thanked me for making a point of telling him how his life mattered. That cut me to the quick, and made me resolve to tell folks who matter to me that, well, they matter to me! Do you encourage the encouragers in your life? Don't take for granted that they know; I sat & watched a man sob in gratitude as he was told--apparently for one of the few times--that his life mattered to another. Second, he cried again, and I can still hear the agony in his voice: "There are so many that I missed..."
That, my friends, is the heart of a minister. Oh, the guy I'm describing never was on staff at a church. He was in real estate development, mostly. But he had the heart of a minister. First, passionately seeking to impact the lives of others, whether they ever thanked him or not, and second, mourning over those he perceives that he missed ministering to...
Oh Lord, would you raise up more...many more...like Andy & Jim, these two who had such an impact on me? An impact that continues to this day, and whose impact was frankly slow to take root in my life.
And Lord, would you, in your marvelous, matchless grace, use me to impact others for you? Would you cause others to bless & magnify You & Your name because of what you do through me?
My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them...For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord God. And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God.”
Ezek 34 (various verses)
Sometimes, this prophecy is fulfilled via ordinary people. Andy & Jim are two that the Lord used to search me out & gather me in, and to plant seeds that would later take root. And I will always be grateful...
bb
The other was my parents' age, and yet he was the guy I wanted...want...to grow up to be. Dashingly handsome...muscular...hard-working...successful in his business. A man's man, in the best sense of that phrase. He taught jr. high Sunday School. He was the first Bible teacher I had who spoke of the reality of sin and of his own redemption from its penalty and from its power. I still remember how real he was as he spoke of his own past life (B.C.), and how he did so without glorifying himself or his past shortcomings. "Fellas, let me tell you something...people will tell you that sin's ugly & repulsive. That's a lie! Sin is fun while you're doing it; it's after, when you think on what you've done & how wrong it is that it becomes repulsive." Still remember that honesty. He, too, seemed to genuinely enjoy his faith, but also he made us feel like we were HUGELY important to him.
In fact, years after I passed through his orbit, I made an appt. w/ him to have breakfast. As I told him how very much he meant/means to me, this big, strong, manly, big game hunting, hard-working type broke down & cried right there in the restaurant. He said two things that will ever haunt me: first, he thanked me for making a point of telling him how his life mattered. That cut me to the quick, and made me resolve to tell folks who matter to me that, well, they matter to me! Do you encourage the encouragers in your life? Don't take for granted that they know; I sat & watched a man sob in gratitude as he was told--apparently for one of the few times--that his life mattered to another. Second, he cried again, and I can still hear the agony in his voice: "There are so many that I missed..."
That, my friends, is the heart of a minister. Oh, the guy I'm describing never was on staff at a church. He was in real estate development, mostly. But he had the heart of a minister. First, passionately seeking to impact the lives of others, whether they ever thanked him or not, and second, mourning over those he perceives that he missed ministering to...
Oh Lord, would you raise up more...many more...like Andy & Jim, these two who had such an impact on me? An impact that continues to this day, and whose impact was frankly slow to take root in my life.
And Lord, would you, in your marvelous, matchless grace, use me to impact others for you? Would you cause others to bless & magnify You & Your name because of what you do through me?
My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them...For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord God. And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God.”
Ezek 34 (various verses)
Sometimes, this prophecy is fulfilled via ordinary people. Andy & Jim are two that the Lord used to search me out & gather me in, and to plant seeds that would later take root. And I will always be grateful...
bb
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Detailed update...
I was reminded last week by loving friends that I was remiss in updating the blog on the MDA trip. Sorry about that!
Great trip out. Even Baton Rouge wasn't bad traffic-wise. (It was AWFUL for the return trip, but that's another thing...)
Stayed w/ a very sweet HS classmate again. (Reminder to USM types: she's a proud USM grad who represents the school well!)
Speaking of USM types who rep the school well, we rolled out there--again--in a nice ride loaned by another friend who's a proud USM type.
Thursday was bloodwork & P.E.T. scan day. As w/ the trip out, the waits were very short, which is good. (Especially given that I'm not allowed to have any food or--worse--coffee on P.E.T. scan day. *grin*)
Thursday night was a very nice Tex-Mex meal w/ another sweet HS classmate (who has let us stay @ her house as well...)
Friday morning: the latest most-important-Dr.-appt-of-my-life with Dr. Homsi who is my medical melanomam Dr. out there.
BOTTOM LINE: A good visit w/ good results.
Details:
Most important result: nothing new on the P.E.T. scan. That's huge w/ a history of metastatic melanoma.
Another very important result: the same little spot is still there on my chest wall. It's been there these last several trips, and is still there. (If you remember, I was to have surgery last May to remove this spot, but the surgery was cancelled after the P.E.T. scan then). They're not sure what it is. It has grown a little, but only a little. Thus, it's likely not melanoma, which tends to grow fast & aggressively. Dr. H. said it may not even be cancer at all. They don't know.
Therefore, we go back in May for another P.E.T. scan, and appt. w/ Dr. Homsi, PLUS, an appt. w/ Dr. Mehran the surgeon. My hunch is that they'll opt for surgery this time, tho I obviously don't know.
At any rate, a good visit, all in all. We're pleased.
I'll leave you with a quote from Dr. Homsi:
"You've already beaten all the numbers (odds) just by being here."
That is the handiwork of a sovereign healing God Who has chosen to keep the melanoma away and to keep me here for reasons that I'll not fully know this side of glory. It is certainly NOT because of intrinsic worth in this dude! I'm persuaded that in eternity we will discover that He chose to heal & keep me here in response to the prayers of so many of you. THANKS FOR PRAYING!!
Mike
Great trip out. Even Baton Rouge wasn't bad traffic-wise. (It was AWFUL for the return trip, but that's another thing...)
Stayed w/ a very sweet HS classmate again. (Reminder to USM types: she's a proud USM grad who represents the school well!)
Speaking of USM types who rep the school well, we rolled out there--again--in a nice ride loaned by another friend who's a proud USM type.
Thursday was bloodwork & P.E.T. scan day. As w/ the trip out, the waits were very short, which is good. (Especially given that I'm not allowed to have any food or--worse--coffee on P.E.T. scan day. *grin*)
Thursday night was a very nice Tex-Mex meal w/ another sweet HS classmate (who has let us stay @ her house as well...)
Friday morning: the latest most-important-Dr.-appt-of-my-life with Dr. Homsi who is my medical melanomam Dr. out there.
BOTTOM LINE: A good visit w/ good results.
Details:
Most important result: nothing new on the P.E.T. scan. That's huge w/ a history of metastatic melanoma.
Another very important result: the same little spot is still there on my chest wall. It's been there these last several trips, and is still there. (If you remember, I was to have surgery last May to remove this spot, but the surgery was cancelled after the P.E.T. scan then). They're not sure what it is. It has grown a little, but only a little. Thus, it's likely not melanoma, which tends to grow fast & aggressively. Dr. H. said it may not even be cancer at all. They don't know.
Therefore, we go back in May for another P.E.T. scan, and appt. w/ Dr. Homsi, PLUS, an appt. w/ Dr. Mehran the surgeon. My hunch is that they'll opt for surgery this time, tho I obviously don't know.
At any rate, a good visit, all in all. We're pleased.
I'll leave you with a quote from Dr. Homsi:
"You've already beaten all the numbers (odds) just by being here."
That is the handiwork of a sovereign healing God Who has chosen to keep the melanoma away and to keep me here for reasons that I'll not fully know this side of glory. It is certainly NOT because of intrinsic worth in this dude! I'm persuaded that in eternity we will discover that He chose to heal & keep me here in response to the prayers of so many of you. THANKS FOR PRAYING!!
Mike
Monday, February 15, 2010
Back On the Road Again...
...and I'm not referring here to the excellent song by REO Speedwagon. (although that song is now officially stuck in my head...)
Lisa & I head back out to Houston Wednesday, 2/17. It's time for another batch of nuking & bloodsucking (as I so delicately refer to it).
Routine followup appt.
As if there will ever again be such a thing for me...*sigh*
The Schedule:
--Wed. - drive to Houston (in a nice borrowed ride, courtesy of a buddy here!)
--Thurs. - blood work + P.E.T. scan
Note: no bkfst, no lunch, no morning coffee = Bummer!! On the plus side, we'll have a HUGE supper with LOTS of good Tex-Mex food @ Gringo's w/ two HS classmates & friends who landed out there and whose homes we've invaded before. I'm planning on embarrassing everyone @ our table w/ the sheer volume of food I'll consume. You've all been warned...
;-{)}
--Fri a.m. - the next in a series of "most-impt-Dr.-appts.-in-my-whole-life"
--Fri. afternoon - celebrate while driving back to H'burg (well, that's our plan anyway...)
We'll be staying w/ one of the two HS classmates, who is graciously opening her home to us again. (Note to USM friends: she's a proud USM grad who was a Dixie Darling during her days here in town)
We'll also be rolling in a much nicer vehicle than any of ours, courtesy of another great sacrifical giving type friend here who's letting us borrow his truck.
=============================================
Prayer Requests:
--safe travels to & from, and safe driving in Houston
--accurate scans that show "nothing to see here..." (in other words, pray that there's nothing amiss, & that the scans show that)
--peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7)
--pray for these VERY generous friends who let us borrow cars and invade homes; Please ask God to bless both of these friends--one lives here, & one lives there
=================================================
The bottom line answer to this question: "so, what's it like walking into M.D. Anderson?"
Absolutely overwhelming! One NEVER wants to walk in there as a patient. Pretty much nobody gets referred there by being slightly sick. (Remember, mine was stage IV in both lungs when I first made the trip in 08...)
With that said, we have had AMAZINGLY GREAT Drs. & nurses & techs. Our MDA experience has been very good (well,...good within the context of the previous paragraph...)
This trip's medical stuff:
--bloodwork - no biggie; they'll draw several vials from my arm/hand. It is mind-boggling though how many people hang out waiting to get stuck.
--P.E.T. scan - get hooked up w/ IV device; get injected w/ the nuclear stuff (mildly radioactive sugar solution, more or less...the cool movie-effect part is that they wheel it in on a cart in a metal container that's smoking all scary-like); forced lie-still nap for an hour or so in a small room; then the scan, which lasts about 40 minutes; the most, um, exciting part is when the tech says over the speaker "OK, Mr. Madaris, here comes the contrast solution"...Have you ever felt like you were losing control of your bladder? Yeah, this feels a lot like that...only you can't move...(why I thought you'd all want to know that escapes me, but there it is)
P.E.T. stands for "Positive Emission Tomography"...or "Pretty Expensive Test" whichever. (*grin*) The results of the test are quite amazing; essentially a 3D set of scan results that the Dr. can scroll through & slice & dice in different ways. What they're looking for is spots that "light up" on the scan, meaning something is drawing in LOTS of the sugar solution, meaning something's amiss.
Based on my experience w/ bad scans, picture a satellite photo of a solar eclipse...w/ the light from the sun shooting out in rays from behind the moon. If something like that shows up on a P.E.T., that's bad. (Seen those results on previous scans!)
We'll do the medical fun Thursday from 8 - 1 or so (depending on wait times); Lisa will be bored out of her skull, as she'll spend all this time waiting...and waiting...a n d w a i t i n g...
We'll meet w/ Dr. Homsi, my medical melanoma oncologist Friday morning to get the results. (reminder: "medical melanoma oncologist" as opposed to Dr. Mehran, my surgeon, and Dr. Kim, my lung dude, and Dr. Hwu my immunotherapy guy.) Just the one appt. this time, assuming nothing lights up.
So, it's time to unblock the travel routes & details I've blocked for 5 months now. *another sigh*
Your prayers are MOST welcome and MOST appreciated.
With Love & Hope,
Mike
p.s. - THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS FOR US!!!
Only eternity will show you how much you & your prayers mean to Lisa and me...For now, "thank you" plus hugs to any whose path I cross will have to suffice.
Lisa & I head back out to Houston Wednesday, 2/17. It's time for another batch of nuking & bloodsucking (as I so delicately refer to it).
Routine followup appt.
As if there will ever again be such a thing for me...*sigh*
The Schedule:
--Wed. - drive to Houston (in a nice borrowed ride, courtesy of a buddy here!)
--Thurs. - blood work + P.E.T. scan
Note: no bkfst, no lunch, no morning coffee = Bummer!! On the plus side, we'll have a HUGE supper with LOTS of good Tex-Mex food @ Gringo's w/ two HS classmates & friends who landed out there and whose homes we've invaded before. I'm planning on embarrassing everyone @ our table w/ the sheer volume of food I'll consume. You've all been warned...
;-{)}
--Fri a.m. - the next in a series of "most-impt-Dr.-appts.-in-my-whole-life"
--Fri. afternoon - celebrate while driving back to H'burg (well, that's our plan anyway...)
We'll be staying w/ one of the two HS classmates, who is graciously opening her home to us again. (Note to USM friends: she's a proud USM grad who was a Dixie Darling during her days here in town)
We'll also be rolling in a much nicer vehicle than any of ours, courtesy of another great sacrifical giving type friend here who's letting us borrow his truck.
=============================================
Prayer Requests:
--safe travels to & from, and safe driving in Houston
--accurate scans that show "nothing to see here..." (in other words, pray that there's nothing amiss, & that the scans show that)
--peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7)
--pray for these VERY generous friends who let us borrow cars and invade homes; Please ask God to bless both of these friends--one lives here, & one lives there
=================================================
The bottom line answer to this question: "so, what's it like walking into M.D. Anderson?"
Absolutely overwhelming! One NEVER wants to walk in there as a patient. Pretty much nobody gets referred there by being slightly sick. (Remember, mine was stage IV in both lungs when I first made the trip in 08...)
With that said, we have had AMAZINGLY GREAT Drs. & nurses & techs. Our MDA experience has been very good (well,...good within the context of the previous paragraph...)
This trip's medical stuff:
--bloodwork - no biggie; they'll draw several vials from my arm/hand. It is mind-boggling though how many people hang out waiting to get stuck.
--P.E.T. scan - get hooked up w/ IV device; get injected w/ the nuclear stuff (mildly radioactive sugar solution, more or less...the cool movie-effect part is that they wheel it in on a cart in a metal container that's smoking all scary-like); forced lie-still nap for an hour or so in a small room; then the scan, which lasts about 40 minutes; the most, um, exciting part is when the tech says over the speaker "OK, Mr. Madaris, here comes the contrast solution"...Have you ever felt like you were losing control of your bladder? Yeah, this feels a lot like that...only you can't move...(why I thought you'd all want to know that escapes me, but there it is)
P.E.T. stands for "Positive Emission Tomography"...or "Pretty Expensive Test" whichever. (*grin*) The results of the test are quite amazing; essentially a 3D set of scan results that the Dr. can scroll through & slice & dice in different ways. What they're looking for is spots that "light up" on the scan, meaning something is drawing in LOTS of the sugar solution, meaning something's amiss.
Based on my experience w/ bad scans, picture a satellite photo of a solar eclipse...w/ the light from the sun shooting out in rays from behind the moon. If something like that shows up on a P.E.T., that's bad. (Seen those results on previous scans!)
We'll do the medical fun Thursday from 8 - 1 or so (depending on wait times); Lisa will be bored out of her skull, as she'll spend all this time waiting...and waiting...a n d w a i t i n g...
We'll meet w/ Dr. Homsi, my medical melanoma oncologist Friday morning to get the results. (reminder: "medical melanoma oncologist" as opposed to Dr. Mehran, my surgeon, and Dr. Kim, my lung dude, and Dr. Hwu my immunotherapy guy.) Just the one appt. this time, assuming nothing lights up.
So, it's time to unblock the travel routes & details I've blocked for 5 months now. *another sigh*
Your prayers are MOST welcome and MOST appreciated.
With Love & Hope,
Mike
p.s. - THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS FOR US!!!
Only eternity will show you how much you & your prayers mean to Lisa and me...For now, "thank you" plus hugs to any whose path I cross will have to suffice.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
She asked me out 1st...& then I returned the favor!
1981. Sadie Hawkins Valentine's Day Banquet @ the Baptist Student Union on the campus of the University of Alabama. ("Sadie Hawkins" = ladies ask the guys; totally old-school concept dating back to those quaint, honorable times when guys actually did the asking...)
Aside from my excessive hotness (*grin*), there was pretty much nothing to commend me as a good Sadie Hawkins ask target. Really, I wasn't much of a catch back then. I'm not much of one now either, but I REALLY wasn't a catch then. Thus, I threw myself at her shamelessly, until she finally got tired of it & asked me to the banquet.
Oh, we had hung out a bit in group settings, and she had humored me by patiently enduring numerous requests along the lines of "hey, listen to this obscure hard rock CD nobody's ever heard & with good reason". She & her roommates were friends with my roommates. Plus, most conveniently, our apt. was downstairs & across the breezeway from their apt. (The Lord knew that while I'm pretty clueless now, I was REALLY clueless then; thus this little bit of gracious providence for which I am eternally grateful...)
But Valentine's Day, 1981 was our first official date. It must have gone OK. There were other dates. Then *lots* of other dates. Then a fraternity pin (speaking of old-school cool-ness...)...followed by a proposal.
There was a wedding in Gilbertown, AL on June 2, 1984.
A move to Terre Haute, IN. A house purchase & everything. A kid playing grownup, with a house, a job as a professor, debt,...the works!
Then a son.
A move to Hattiesburg, MS in August, 1989.
Followed shortly by a daughter.
Along the way, there have been triumphs, tragedies, job changes, illnesses, financial (& other) challenges, successes, failures, joys, sorrows...But through it all, dreams fulfilled & prayers answered beyond my wildest imaginations.
She still pretty much looks the same; I singularly do not. Oh, what a journey it's been! Can't wait for the next 29 years! And it all dates back to Valentine's Day 29 years ago.
I'll let some songwriters complete this one.
"In joy and sorrow my home's in your arms
In a world so hollow, It's breaking my heart
Oh girl we are the same; We are strong and blessed and so brave
With souls to be saved, And faith regained
All our tears wipe away
In joy and sorrow my home's in your arms..."
HIM, "In Joy & Sorrow"
"But, Baby, what will we do when it comes back to me & you? "
Wayne Watson, "Watercolor Ponies"
(note: Is yours a child-centered home? Might want to re-think that if so. I'm glad our children knew/know they are DEARLY loved and HUGELY missed...and I'm VERY glad Lisa & I have spent some time on our relationship these past 25 years of married life! As Wayne W. says, "the watercolor ponies will one day ride away...")
"I often dream of nights I'd sit and watch the rising sun, and I spoke to you of life, and of the battles I had won. A warm wind blowing memories makes me long for home, and a cold wind blows much harder and makes me wanna roam...I search to find the meaning of the path that I am on, and I hope that my direction will not make me walk alone..."
Axe, "Battles"
(One of my all-time favorite songs...pulled me through some very dark days/months/years by giving me hope. Plus, it just kicks booty as a great rock song w/ a great guitar solo...*smile*
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
Genesis 2:18
(One can almost imagine the Lord looking forward in time at me & going "and it's especially not good for that guy to be alone...")
"And now a smile, a face, a girl that shares my name,
Now I'm through with the game, this boy will never be the same.
Even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with ya honey,
Everything will bring a chain of love.
In the morning when I rise, you bring a tear of joy to my eyes,
And tell me everything is gonna be alright....
Loggins & Messina, "Danny's Song"
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh..."
Genesis 2:24
"And my lady is the softness in my world...And my lady hears every note I play..."
Mountain, "My Lady"
(Another favorite by a favorite group. I sang along w/ this for years, dreaming the whole time...and then the dreams came through in Tuscaloosa, AL. I *love* the line "my lady hears every note I play" even though I don't play music any more. Excellent description of Lisa...)
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO MY AWESOME, LOVELY BRIDE!!!
With more love than I could ever capture in words,
Mike
P.S. - thanks for asking me out! ;-{)}
Aside from my excessive hotness (*grin*), there was pretty much nothing to commend me as a good Sadie Hawkins ask target. Really, I wasn't much of a catch back then. I'm not much of one now either, but I REALLY wasn't a catch then. Thus, I threw myself at her shamelessly, until she finally got tired of it & asked me to the banquet.
Oh, we had hung out a bit in group settings, and she had humored me by patiently enduring numerous requests along the lines of "hey, listen to this obscure hard rock CD nobody's ever heard & with good reason". She & her roommates were friends with my roommates. Plus, most conveniently, our apt. was downstairs & across the breezeway from their apt. (The Lord knew that while I'm pretty clueless now, I was REALLY clueless then; thus this little bit of gracious providence for which I am eternally grateful...)
But Valentine's Day, 1981 was our first official date. It must have gone OK. There were other dates. Then *lots* of other dates. Then a fraternity pin (speaking of old-school cool-ness...)...followed by a proposal.
There was a wedding in Gilbertown, AL on June 2, 1984.
A move to Terre Haute, IN. A house purchase & everything. A kid playing grownup, with a house, a job as a professor, debt,...the works!
Then a son.
A move to Hattiesburg, MS in August, 1989.
Followed shortly by a daughter.
Along the way, there have been triumphs, tragedies, job changes, illnesses, financial (& other) challenges, successes, failures, joys, sorrows...But through it all, dreams fulfilled & prayers answered beyond my wildest imaginations.
She still pretty much looks the same; I singularly do not. Oh, what a journey it's been! Can't wait for the next 29 years! And it all dates back to Valentine's Day 29 years ago.
I'll let some songwriters complete this one.
"In joy and sorrow my home's in your arms
In a world so hollow, It's breaking my heart
Oh girl we are the same; We are strong and blessed and so brave
With souls to be saved, And faith regained
All our tears wipe away
In joy and sorrow my home's in your arms..."
HIM, "In Joy & Sorrow"
"But, Baby, what will we do when it comes back to me & you? "
Wayne Watson, "Watercolor Ponies"
(note: Is yours a child-centered home? Might want to re-think that if so. I'm glad our children knew/know they are DEARLY loved and HUGELY missed...and I'm VERY glad Lisa & I have spent some time on our relationship these past 25 years of married life! As Wayne W. says, "the watercolor ponies will one day ride away...")
"I often dream of nights I'd sit and watch the rising sun, and I spoke to you of life, and of the battles I had won. A warm wind blowing memories makes me long for home, and a cold wind blows much harder and makes me wanna roam...I search to find the meaning of the path that I am on, and I hope that my direction will not make me walk alone..."
Axe, "Battles"
(One of my all-time favorite songs...pulled me through some very dark days/months/years by giving me hope. Plus, it just kicks booty as a great rock song w/ a great guitar solo...*smile*
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
Genesis 2:18
(One can almost imagine the Lord looking forward in time at me & going "and it's especially not good for that guy to be alone...")
"And now a smile, a face, a girl that shares my name,
Now I'm through with the game, this boy will never be the same.
Even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with ya honey,
Everything will bring a chain of love.
In the morning when I rise, you bring a tear of joy to my eyes,
And tell me everything is gonna be alright....
Loggins & Messina, "Danny's Song"
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh..."
Genesis 2:24
"And my lady is the softness in my world...And my lady hears every note I play..."
Mountain, "My Lady"
(Another favorite by a favorite group. I sang along w/ this for years, dreaming the whole time...and then the dreams came through in Tuscaloosa, AL. I *love* the line "my lady hears every note I play" even though I don't play music any more. Excellent description of Lisa...)
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO MY AWESOME, LOVELY BRIDE!!!
With more love than I could ever capture in words,
Mike
P.S. - thanks for asking me out! ;-{)}
Monday, February 08, 2010
For Bill & Traci
(note: I wrote this last Thursday, 2/4, with final edit & finishing touches today)
So, here I sit @ 12:15 a.m., well past my bedtime, pondering the depths of God's providence.
Our dear friends Bill & Traci Massey got the call NOBODY wants to get today. Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a.k.a., Hodgkin's Disease, is Traci's diagnosis. They go to the Dr. tomorrow. (update: and to the oncologist later this week)
Cancer sucks.
Not a word I use very often...but I use it here because it fits. How else to describe this wonderful, godly, servant-minded, Christ-centered, go-the-extra-mile couple with three young daughters getting the phone call today that changed the entire trajectory of their lives??
But cancer is most assuredly NOT ultimate!!
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair...So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:7-8, 16-18
*That* my friends, is what is ultimate. Re-read this phrase slowly: an eternal weight of glory...
My friends Bill & Traci already had one of those secured. Yet in His providence, our Lord has seen fit to somehow magnify their weight of glory.
I praise You in this storm, & I will lift my hands, for You are Who You are no matter where I am...and every tear I cry, You hold in Your hands...You never left my side...and though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm...
Casting Crowns, "Praise You in This Storm"
(press >>>THIS<<<>every Thursday night via ipod while driving back from night class)
Now I guarantee you that where they are right now, & where they will likely be in the days & months to come will NOT seem like a "light momentary affliction." But in light of an eternal weight of glory, it will be.
As Margaret Becker once sang, "when glory, ever more glorious, stands revealed" that eternal weight of glory will be seen. And in its light...in His light...Hodgkin's Lymphoma will seem like a blip on the radar screen.
But not yet.
Right now, it is an all-consuming thing that would consume Bill & Traci's every thought and devour every moment of time they have.
So would you please join me in praying that the sovereign Lord of the universe, who has called us by name & we are His, would sustain and encourage and empower and equip them?
And would you please join me in praying that my friend Traci would be totally & completely healed of this dreadful disease?
And would you please join me in praying that God would magnify Himself and His name and His character through Bill & Traci's time in the valley of the shadow?
Thanks so very much!
With a heavy heart,
Mike
p.s. - a passage my oncologist shared with Lisa and me on our first visit to his office in December '05:
But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 43:1-3
Our dear friends Bill & Traci Massey got the call NOBODY wants to get today. Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a.k.a., Hodgkin's Disease, is Traci's diagnosis. They go to the Dr. tomorrow. (update: and to the oncologist later this week)
Cancer sucks.
Not a word I use very often...but I use it here because it fits. How else to describe this wonderful, godly, servant-minded, Christ-centered, go-the-extra-mile couple with three young daughters getting the phone call today that changed the entire trajectory of their lives??
But cancer is most assuredly NOT ultimate!!
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair...So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:7-8, 16-18
*That* my friends, is what is ultimate. Re-read this phrase slowly: an eternal weight of glory...
My friends Bill & Traci already had one of those secured. Yet in His providence, our Lord has seen fit to somehow magnify their weight of glory.
I praise You in this storm, & I will lift my hands, for You are Who You are no matter where I am...and every tear I cry, You hold in Your hands...You never left my side...and though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm...
Casting Crowns, "Praise You in This Storm"
(press >>>THIS<<<>every Thursday night via ipod while driving back from night class)
Now I guarantee you that where they are right now, & where they will likely be in the days & months to come will NOT seem like a "light momentary affliction." But in light of an eternal weight of glory, it will be.
As Margaret Becker once sang, "when glory, ever more glorious, stands revealed" that eternal weight of glory will be seen. And in its light...in His light...Hodgkin's Lymphoma will seem like a blip on the radar screen.
But not yet.
Right now, it is an all-consuming thing that would consume Bill & Traci's every thought and devour every moment of time they have.
So would you please join me in praying that the sovereign Lord of the universe, who has called us by name & we are His, would sustain and encourage and empower and equip them?
And would you please join me in praying that my friend Traci would be totally & completely healed of this dreadful disease?
And would you please join me in praying that God would magnify Himself and His name and His character through Bill & Traci's time in the valley of the shadow?
Thanks so very much!
With a heavy heart,
Mike
p.s. - a passage my oncologist shared with Lisa and me on our first visit to his office in December '05:
But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 43:1-3
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
For Eddie
Every single guy wants to know that he has what it takes. Every one of us, at the core of our being, longs to hear this from one who matters. Ideally, this comes from Dad. Sadly--and this is the subject of another post for another day--increasingly few hear Dad say those most critical words.
Which goes a long way toward explaining a lot of guy behavior...stupid guy behavior. We seek out a place to be told "you have what it takes." By somebody. Anybody.
Teachers...gangs...coaches...mentors...we want to hear it said by somebody, and we will keep searching to find somebody to tell us. Desperately searching...
And that, ladies & gents, is why I'm so very delighted & honored to be a small part of this one particular ministry @ my church: tbcsports & Upward. I confess that when we built a gym & hired a Recreation Minister to run our new gym, I was a skeptic about it all (not about the guy, mind you; just about the importance of sports ministry in gen'l). And I was utterly & completely wrong.
That particular Rec minister has, in 10 years here in Hattiesburg, had a HUGE impact on many. On kids...on coaches...on referees...on our community...and on me. Eddie Baker is an incredibly effective minister of the Gospel. Well- and broadly-read, impact-focused, Christ-centered, organized, and always learning & tweaking to improve effectiveness. And through it all, overwhelmingly humble. (In fact, he won't like this particular blog entry...)
Eddie has comforted those who were mourning...and encouraged those (of us!) facing intense medical uncertainty (he himself has faced intense medical uncertainty)...and taught many how to be more Christlike in the totality of our lives...and pointed folks who were drifting back on-course...and answered questions from seekers, some of whom didn't even realize they were seeking...and calmed down those who have lost perspective on, say, the quality of refereeing at a kindergarten basketball game...
But beyond that, Eddie Baker is an amazing guy! He's one of my best friends. Has gone way above & beyond for me and mine these past 10 years. Eddie & I have prayed together, laughed together, cried together, discussed theology, shared secrets & secret struggles completely secure in the knowledge that they would stay secret...we've sat beside each other at football games at our alma maters (Bama for me, Ole Miss for him) and have listened with great interest to each other's stories of how we were changed by our time in Tuscaloosa/Oxford back in the day, and of memories we cherish from those days. And some we don't particularly cherish...(like, say, when I was taking Master's comps while his alma mater's team crushed mine just a couple of blocks away...on our homecoming day! *smile*)
Years back, another great friend of mine said we're lucky if we have half a dozen deeply intimate friendships in our lifetime. I scoffed, thinking, "I've got dozens...hundreds...of such friends..." (I do have a large number of great friends to whom I owe my life and whom I love dearly...) My friend in Indiana explained to me what he meant: "the friend I'm describing is one you could call at 2:30 a.m. & say 'I need you' and about halfway over to your house, this guy would think 'I wonder what he needs me for...oh well, I'll find out shortly when I get there...'" Narrows the field a bit doesn't it? (Aside: I really hope I'm viewed as such a friend by somebody...)
Do you have such people in your life? I do. Eddie Baker is one. I know this, because I have called & said "I need you" and he's put his life on hold for me. (albeit, not yet at 2:30 a.m....*grin*)
So why am I talking about Eddie Baker? Because this month marks 25 years since Eddie finished seminary and took his first full-time job in ministry.
I've read that roughly 2/3 of those in ministry are considering leaving it at any time. Not leaving a particular ministry job, but leaving the ministry After 25 years, my buddy Eddie is probably more excited about what our God is doing in & through his ministry than he ever has been. He is still growing & tweaking, pressing on toward the finish line that I hope he doesn't reach for many, many years yet.
It is one of my life's great honors that Eddie Baker lets me be a small part of his ministry. (Oh, how I wish you all could've hung out with me at the gym yesterday morning & seen life-changing ministry in action!) But it is a greater honor that Eddie Baker considers me his friend and partner in the Gospel.
Thanks, Eddie, for letting our God use you so powerfully in the lives of so many. Especially in my life.
I love you, Brother! Happy Ministry Anniversary! Many, many more...
Mike
p.s. - Following are several Bible verses/passages that come to mind when I think of ministers like Eddie Baker.
For they have gone out for the sake of the name...Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
3 John 1:7-8
Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. Phil. 4:14
For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. Philemon 1:7
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Cor 15:58
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Romans 12:9-18
Which goes a long way toward explaining a lot of guy behavior...stupid guy behavior. We seek out a place to be told "you have what it takes." By somebody. Anybody.
Teachers...gangs...coaches...mentors...we want to hear it said by somebody, and we will keep searching to find somebody to tell us. Desperately searching...
And that, ladies & gents, is why I'm so very delighted & honored to be a small part of this one particular ministry @ my church: tbcsports & Upward. I confess that when we built a gym & hired a Recreation Minister to run our new gym, I was a skeptic about it all (not about the guy, mind you; just about the importance of sports ministry in gen'l). And I was utterly & completely wrong.
That particular Rec minister has, in 10 years here in Hattiesburg, had a HUGE impact on many. On kids...on coaches...on referees...on our community...and on me. Eddie Baker is an incredibly effective minister of the Gospel. Well- and broadly-read, impact-focused, Christ-centered, organized, and always learning & tweaking to improve effectiveness. And through it all, overwhelmingly humble. (In fact, he won't like this particular blog entry...)
Eddie has comforted those who were mourning...and encouraged those (of us!) facing intense medical uncertainty (he himself has faced intense medical uncertainty)...and taught many how to be more Christlike in the totality of our lives...and pointed folks who were drifting back on-course...and answered questions from seekers, some of whom didn't even realize they were seeking...and calmed down those who have lost perspective on, say, the quality of refereeing at a kindergarten basketball game...
But beyond that, Eddie Baker is an amazing guy! He's one of my best friends. Has gone way above & beyond for me and mine these past 10 years. Eddie & I have prayed together, laughed together, cried together, discussed theology, shared secrets & secret struggles completely secure in the knowledge that they would stay secret...we've sat beside each other at football games at our alma maters (Bama for me, Ole Miss for him) and have listened with great interest to each other's stories of how we were changed by our time in Tuscaloosa/Oxford back in the day, and of memories we cherish from those days. And some we don't particularly cherish...(like, say, when I was taking Master's comps while his alma mater's team crushed mine just a couple of blocks away...on our homecoming day! *smile*)
Years back, another great friend of mine said we're lucky if we have half a dozen deeply intimate friendships in our lifetime. I scoffed, thinking, "I've got dozens...hundreds...of such friends..." (I do have a large number of great friends to whom I owe my life and whom I love dearly...) My friend in Indiana explained to me what he meant: "the friend I'm describing is one you could call at 2:30 a.m. & say 'I need you' and about halfway over to your house, this guy would think 'I wonder what he needs me for...oh well, I'll find out shortly when I get there...'" Narrows the field a bit doesn't it? (Aside: I really hope I'm viewed as such a friend by somebody...)
Do you have such people in your life? I do. Eddie Baker is one. I know this, because I have called & said "I need you" and he's put his life on hold for me. (albeit, not yet at 2:30 a.m....*grin*)
So why am I talking about Eddie Baker? Because this month marks 25 years since Eddie finished seminary and took his first full-time job in ministry.
I've read that roughly 2/3 of those in ministry are considering leaving it at any time. Not leaving a particular ministry job, but leaving the ministry After 25 years, my buddy Eddie is probably more excited about what our God is doing in & through his ministry than he ever has been. He is still growing & tweaking, pressing on toward the finish line that I hope he doesn't reach for many, many years yet.
It is one of my life's great honors that Eddie Baker lets me be a small part of his ministry. (Oh, how I wish you all could've hung out with me at the gym yesterday morning & seen life-changing ministry in action!) But it is a greater honor that Eddie Baker considers me his friend and partner in the Gospel.
Thanks, Eddie, for letting our God use you so powerfully in the lives of so many. Especially in my life.
I love you, Brother! Happy Ministry Anniversary! Many, many more...
Mike
p.s. - Following are several Bible verses/passages that come to mind when I think of ministers like Eddie Baker.
For they have gone out for the sake of the name...Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
3 John 1:7-8
Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. Phil. 4:14
For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. Philemon 1:7
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Cor 15:58
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Romans 12:9-18
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
To a particular Bama co-ed...
There's this Bama co-ed I know...
She's very friendly. You know, one of those who has never met a stranger.
She sees the good in everyone, which is sadly a rarity in our jaded, cynical society. (said the jaded, cynical blogger...)
She's generous. Which is a huge understatement.
She loves to help others learn & succeed. Hence her great success in her chosen profession.
She is very intelligent. Always reading something. Went back to Bama & got a Master's degree after being out in the workplace a few years.
She loves to travel, and has done so a *lot* since graduating from UA.
She laughs easily and is a great conversationalist.
She loves her Lord and her church, and is one of those faithful servants every church needs more of...she prefers behind-the-scenes service.
She loves her family. Even her extended family.
She'll blush & be dismissive of this next one, but her life matters to many people who have passed through her orbit...or her library...
Her life matters more than my feeble words can say to me...A few years ago, I wrote for her/ about her called "Relentless Love" & got it framed & gave it to her. I still think that's a pretty good phrase describing her: relentless love...
Today is her birthday.
Happy Birthday, Mom!
I join with many in celebrating you and all that God has done through your amazing life. God in His providence knew I'd need a whole lot of "mothering" & thus gave me to you...
I pray that He richly blesses you today and always.
With much love,
Mike
She's very friendly. You know, one of those who has never met a stranger.
She sees the good in everyone, which is sadly a rarity in our jaded, cynical society. (said the jaded, cynical blogger...)
She's generous. Which is a huge understatement.
She loves to help others learn & succeed. Hence her great success in her chosen profession.
She is very intelligent. Always reading something. Went back to Bama & got a Master's degree after being out in the workplace a few years.
She loves to travel, and has done so a *lot* since graduating from UA.
She laughs easily and is a great conversationalist.
She loves her Lord and her church, and is one of those faithful servants every church needs more of...she prefers behind-the-scenes service.
She loves her family. Even her extended family.
She'll blush & be dismissive of this next one, but her life matters to many people who have passed through her orbit...or her library...
Her life matters more than my feeble words can say to me...A few years ago, I wrote for her/ about her called "Relentless Love" & got it framed & gave it to her. I still think that's a pretty good phrase describing her: relentless love...
Today is her birthday.
Happy Birthday, Mom!
I join with many in celebrating you and all that God has done through your amazing life. God in His providence knew I'd need a whole lot of "mothering" & thus gave me to you...
I pray that He richly blesses you today and always.
With much love,
Mike
Monday, January 18, 2010
Narcissism
--noun--
1. inordinate fascination with onself; excessive self-love; vanity
2. erotic gratification derived from admiration of one's own physical or mental attributes, being a normal condition at the infantile level of personality development
Synonyms:
self-centeredness, smugness, egocentrism.
Some examples to ponder:
My project at work is the one that's most important and crucial to the organization's success. I'm amazed that the others don't recognize this.
My part of the city/state/region/country/world is the only one that's worthy of me living in it. All of you lesser folk can live elsewhere in lesser regions of the planet.
My church is the only one doing things the right way with the right approach & the right worship style & the right theology. Anyone who truly loves Jesus will see this clearly. If you disagree with this, you're unsaved, demon-possessed, and/or just clueless.
My pastor is WAY cooler than your pastor. And as we all know, "cool" is what it's all about...
My team is morally pure, and is coached by and populated by people who are as well. Not only that, but *our* fans are also right & pure. Your team? Not so much.
My Christmas traditions are way better than yours, which are not only less cool, but are morally inferior. We do it correctly; if you differ, you're wrong.
My alma mater is the single best school in the entire world, and is the right choice for all people at all times. I can see that you weren't qualified to go to such an outstanding institution. Sorry for ya!
I, uniquely among all people, am capable of judging the spiritual worth of my own actions nd those of others. Especially yours.
The ministry I work within the church with is the one you and everyone else should work with. If you're NOT part of it, well, clearly you don't love Jesus like I do.
Why aren't you gifted and temperamented like me?
My testimony of how God graciously saved me is far cooler and more significant than yours of how He graciously saved you.
I love God far more than you do, because I'm a lot busier at church & in ministry than you.
He's quite impressed with me...as are you, I'm sure...
bb
p.s. - Jesus wept (John 11:35)
1. inordinate fascination with onself; excessive self-love; vanity
2. erotic gratification derived from admiration of one's own physical or mental attributes, being a normal condition at the infantile level of personality development
Synonyms:
self-centeredness, smugness, egocentrism.
Some examples to ponder:
My project at work is the one that's most important and crucial to the organization's success. I'm amazed that the others don't recognize this.
My part of the city/state/region/country/world is the only one that's worthy of me living in it. All of you lesser folk can live elsewhere in lesser regions of the planet.
My church is the only one doing things the right way with the right approach & the right worship style & the right theology. Anyone who truly loves Jesus will see this clearly. If you disagree with this, you're unsaved, demon-possessed, and/or just clueless.
My pastor is WAY cooler than your pastor. And as we all know, "cool" is what it's all about...
My team is morally pure, and is coached by and populated by people who are as well. Not only that, but *our* fans are also right & pure. Your team? Not so much.
My Christmas traditions are way better than yours, which are not only less cool, but are morally inferior. We do it correctly; if you differ, you're wrong.
My alma mater is the single best school in the entire world, and is the right choice for all people at all times. I can see that you weren't qualified to go to such an outstanding institution. Sorry for ya!
I, uniquely among all people, am capable of judging the spiritual worth of my own actions nd those of others. Especially yours.
The ministry I work within the church with is the one you and everyone else should work with. If you're NOT part of it, well, clearly you don't love Jesus like I do.
Why aren't you gifted and temperamented like me?
My testimony of how God graciously saved me is far cooler and more significant than yours of how He graciously saved you.
I love God far more than you do, because I'm a lot busier at church & in ministry than you.
He's quite impressed with me...as are you, I'm sure...
bb
p.s. - Jesus wept (John 11:35)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Some Goals for 2010...
(note: these are not in order of significance...they're pretty much in the order that my random mind captured them here)
--"Deliver the Baby" (in the great and painfully funny words of my family practice Dr. & friend Brett Robbins referring to the fact that I'm several inches too short for my weight...) It appears to be twins...*sigh*
--complete a 5k running (well, "running" needs to be defined very broadly there...and perhaps it'll even be a 10k...)
--read through the Bible using the chronological approach this time. (found >>here<<)
--eliminate a considerable portion of the crapola, er, stuff that's cluttering up my offices & my house
--re-institute a regular fast 1 day a week
--ramp up my reading program. I've started on 3 fascinating & substantial books, that will require concentrated reading time; all 3 authors use all of those big words & big ideas...*smile*
--ramp up my prayer life. It's there, but is not where it should be.
--re-discover the game of golf and try to get my score down to just two digits (of course, the (a) funding, and (b) time for this could be a challenge...but I'm gonna try)
--fish more (yet another sport that--like golf--I enjoy immensely and am not very good at...)
--have a "deck-raising," analogous to the old-school "barn-raising" (memo to all H'burg friends who have any building game...stay tuned! Remember, I have zero game in the area of building, except for driving nails as directed...)
--pass CFA level II exam in June (see "time to play golf hard to come by")
--go to Poland to speak at the Christian Professor Conference in August (I've been invited to do so, and am VERY excited about it!)
--significantly ramp up my teaching abilities in terms of Econ & Finance courses @ WCU; stop "doing the same things the same ol' way" while not tossing out the proverbial baby w/ the bath water...
--ditto, in terms of my Sunday School class @ TBC
--work harder at being an encourager to friends in ministry, whether it's their vocation or not
--make the latter half of year 25/first half of year 26 the best years of marriage yet; this will require considerble effort, as these last 25 have been great! But I still have a long way to go in terms of "love your wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5)...
--work hard at being a better, more loving, more encouraging Daddy. I'm still trying to figure out how this works when one's 4.5 hours away & the other 3.5 hours away...
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:15-17
Thanks for your prayers & friendship & encouragement! You are cherished greatly here @ Casa beach bum.
Happy New Year!!
bb
--"Deliver the Baby" (in the great and painfully funny words of my family practice Dr. & friend Brett Robbins referring to the fact that I'm several inches too short for my weight...) It appears to be twins...*sigh*
--complete a 5k running (well, "running" needs to be defined very broadly there...and perhaps it'll even be a 10k...)
--read through the Bible using the chronological approach this time. (found >>here<<)
--eliminate a considerable portion of the crapola, er, stuff that's cluttering up my offices & my house
--re-institute a regular fast 1 day a week
--ramp up my reading program. I've started on 3 fascinating & substantial books, that will require concentrated reading time; all 3 authors use all of those big words & big ideas...*smile*
--ramp up my prayer life. It's there, but is not where it should be.
--re-discover the game of golf and try to get my score down to just two digits (of course, the (a) funding, and (b) time for this could be a challenge...but I'm gonna try)
--fish more (yet another sport that--like golf--I enjoy immensely and am not very good at...)
--have a "deck-raising," analogous to the old-school "barn-raising" (memo to all H'burg friends who have any building game...stay tuned! Remember, I have zero game in the area of building, except for driving nails as directed...)
--pass CFA level II exam in June (see "time to play golf hard to come by")
--go to Poland to speak at the Christian Professor Conference in August (I've been invited to do so, and am VERY excited about it!)
--significantly ramp up my teaching abilities in terms of Econ & Finance courses @ WCU; stop "doing the same things the same ol' way" while not tossing out the proverbial baby w/ the bath water...
--ditto, in terms of my Sunday School class @ TBC
--work harder at being an encourager to friends in ministry, whether it's their vocation or not
--make the latter half of year 25/first half of year 26 the best years of marriage yet; this will require considerble effort, as these last 25 have been great! But I still have a long way to go in terms of "love your wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5)...
--work hard at being a better, more loving, more encouraging Daddy. I'm still trying to figure out how this works when one's 4.5 hours away & the other 3.5 hours away...
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:15-17
Thanks for your prayers & friendship & encouragement! You are cherished greatly here @ Casa beach bum.
Happy New Year!!
bb
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Join me, won't you?
Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "if you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:31-32
Many a university has the latter part of this passage inscribed on buildings: "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." But there is a HUGELY significant "IF" at the beginning of the thought. "IF you abide in my word..." Other translations read "If you remain in my word..." Don't read the conclusion without the premise...don't focus on the "then" without the "if".
And thus, the challenge: Will you join me in faithfully & regularly reading the Bible this year?
I offer this with great humility as a fellow traveler who is flawed and imperfect. And who has experienced HUGE blessings from those times when I have faithfully & regularly read the Bible, including in 2009.
To make it easy, I commend to you >>this site<< . It has multiple options available.
The one I'm reading in 2010 is the "Chronological" plan that sets the books & chapters of the Bible in the order in which they occured. In 09, Lisa & I used the "One Year Tract Bible Reading Plan" at the link; that one takes you through the Old Testament once & the Psalms & Proverbs twice throughout the year. The site offers a brief description of the multiple choices there.
My challenge & encouragement to you is to make reading the Bible a priority in 2010!
The link above includes multiple options, and also includes the ability to add the plan to your Google calendar or to your Outlook, along with the ability to subscribe via RSS. You can get them emailed to you each day, and you can even listen to each day's readings. And of course, you can them online. In other words, the ESV site has utterly eliminated the vast majority of excuses.
Here's another plan that has readings from three different places a day.
This is the plan John Piper uses regularly. Through the whole Bible; only 25 days per month scheduled, which has built in catch-up or additional study time.
This site has 13 different reading plans.
This one has 5 different plans.
Here's one with 4 different plans, including a 2-year plan to read through the whole Bible.
This one goes from Genesis through Revelation in a year.
This one goes through the whole Bible in 2 years, alternating an Old Testament passage on one day with a New Testament passage the next.
And here is a 3-year plan with weekly readings, and a 3-year plan with daily readings.
Some words of encouragement & reminders, all of which are based on experience:
--DO NOT GROW COCKY BY DOING THIS!!
A huge temptation, especially as 2010 draws to a close & you find that you've been faithful.
--DO NOT PANIC NOR DESPAIR IF YOU MISS A DAY!!
If the enemy of souls can't make you cocky, he'll try to put you under the pile: "see, you knew you couldn't finish; why bother, you loser..." (etc.) Do NOT fall for this.
--If you're wondering if you're able to achieve whatever Bible reading goal you set for yourself, find an accountability partner.
Howard Hendricks says that the ideal accountability partner is someone who loves you but is not impressed by you. (great description!) Find someone who will hold your feet to the fire without slapping you around. Someone who--ideally--is sharing your Bible reading goal. And someone who loves you but is not impressed by you...
--Humbly ask the Lord to speak to you through His Word.
He will likely not do so every single morning...but it's a virtual lock that He will speak throughout the year.
--Get a notebook or journal & capture what He says.
I'm about to read back through my 09 journal rt now. Huge blessings from looking back & seeing what He has taught you.
I find great encouragement and challenge, along with some badly-needed reproof, correction, & training in Scripture. And a systematic approach helps me avoid proof-texting, wherein I select the verses I love that I know what they say & build my whole theology on those...thereby ignoring what theologians call "the whole counsel of God."
As I say, join me, won't you?
Looking forward to the journey,
bb
Monday, December 28, 2009
This time last year...
...I was celebrating still being alive despite having stage IV metastatic melanoma in both lungs
...I was still recovering from my 2nd lung surgery just 3.5 months earlier
...I was still recalling the breath-taking cycles (literally!) of high-dose immunotherapy the previous summer
...I was recalling an absent friend whose leukemia took his life the previous summer
...I was wondering whether I was on the tail end of my journey through the hell that is cancer...and hoping that I was near the end
...I was looking toward one more lung surgery
Now a year has passed:
--I'm feeling great! (well, for an old guy...*smile*)
--Incredibly, I have been sent home three times in a row from M.D. Anderson with no additional surgery required
--My next visit is in February
--I've just purchased some new running shoes & plan to put them to good use this year. (note: "running" here needs to be broadly defined...)
I'm currently pondering my goals for the year...and feeling like the luckiest man on the face of the earth.
Most grateful,
bb
...I was still recovering from my 2nd lung surgery just 3.5 months earlier
...I was still recalling the breath-taking cycles (literally!) of high-dose immunotherapy the previous summer
...I was recalling an absent friend whose leukemia took his life the previous summer
...I was wondering whether I was on the tail end of my journey through the hell that is cancer...and hoping that I was near the end
...I was looking toward one more lung surgery
Now a year has passed:
--I'm feeling great! (well, for an old guy...*smile*)
--Incredibly, I have been sent home three times in a row from M.D. Anderson with no additional surgery required
--My next visit is in February
--I've just purchased some new running shoes & plan to put them to good use this year. (note: "running" here needs to be broadly defined...)
I'm currently pondering my goals for the year...and feeling like the luckiest man on the face of the earth.
Most grateful,
bb
Sunday, December 27, 2009
White Christmas - beach bum style
I'm dreamin' of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the beaches glisten
And beach bums listen
to hear waves that evoke "Whoa!"
I'm dreamin' of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be sand-filled and bright,
And may all your beach-es be white!
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the beaches glisten
And beach bums listen
to hear waves that evoke "Whoa!"
I'm dreamin' of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be sand-filled and bright,
And may all your beach-es be white!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas 09
There's the one that says "First Christmas Together - 1984" & features an outline of a couple dancing.
And then there's the two "Baby's First Christmas" ornaments w/ pictures from 21 & 19 years ago.
And the building from "It's A Wonderful Life" that lights up.
Oh, and there's the white & black cat ornaments. For the previous 17 years, they both were here. Now the white one is gone.
And the bell from the lighted string that my Mom bought for us after her youngest grandson James ooh'd & aah'd over it @ the mall.
There's the "Mike" ornament that used to hang on Christmas trees in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. And the blue dove one that hung on trees in Silas, AL.
Of course, there's the crab ornament from Key West. And the "University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy" ornament that's new this year.
And the Lion King ornament featuring Simba on his Dad's back.
Across the room is a Santa Claus that dates back to roughly 1958. Purchased for an infant boy who never really liked it so much. His younger brother not yet born in 1958--a handsome fellow who blogs a bit now & then when not teaching Econ & Finance--came to love that Santa as dearly as a little boy can love anything. Of course, now that he's grown, that's abated. As far as you know.
Out front, are the poorly laid out Christmas lights. Think "Clark Grizwold minus the $$ & skill" and you're about right.
In the kitchen, of course, are the Christmas dishes that were purchased in Gatlinburg, TN with the last of the disposable $$ near the end of the honeymoon in June 1984.
Next to me is the giant coffee cup given by a former student. HS students give gifts to their teachers; college students not so much. Which I understand.
Near me on a shelf is a hand-carved wooden nativity purchsed in the amazing market located in central Krakow, Poland. Word is, that market has been in operation for over 800 years. I love that it has the traditional manger scene characters, plus a mountain farmer/shepherd on the side kneeling in adoration.
I love the stories behind the ornaments & decorations--and this is but a sample, I assure you. The history, and the instant triggering of vivid cherished memories. That's a big part of the magic of Christmas to me.
But more, I love the cherished memory that goes far deeper in my soul. Of great loss & seperation...and of promises...anticipation...and then their fulfillment in a child born to poor peasants in a backwoods wide-spot-in-the-road. And the restoration that child offers based on the gruesome end of his young earthly life on a hillside outside of town, not that far from where he was born.
Tonight, we'll go to the Christmas Eve service at church and cherish the friendship & celebration & worship & re-telling of the story that binds us together.
It is my prayer that 50 years from now, my grandchildren & great grandchildren will be remembering the stories capture in ornaments, decorations, & nativity scenes. Much more, though, I pray they will be celebrating the story of stories.
But you, OBethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me One Who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from old, from ancient days.
Micah 5:2
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name 'Immanuel' (which means 'God with us')
Matthew 1:21-23
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
Merry Christmas, my friends!
bb
And then there's the two "Baby's First Christmas" ornaments w/ pictures from 21 & 19 years ago.
And the building from "It's A Wonderful Life" that lights up.
Oh, and there's the white & black cat ornaments. For the previous 17 years, they both were here. Now the white one is gone.
And the bell from the lighted string that my Mom bought for us after her youngest grandson James ooh'd & aah'd over it @ the mall.
There's the "Mike" ornament that used to hang on Christmas trees in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. And the blue dove one that hung on trees in Silas, AL.
Of course, there's the crab ornament from Key West. And the "University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy" ornament that's new this year.
And the Lion King ornament featuring Simba on his Dad's back.
Across the room is a Santa Claus that dates back to roughly 1958. Purchased for an infant boy who never really liked it so much. His younger brother not yet born in 1958--a handsome fellow who blogs a bit now & then when not teaching Econ & Finance--came to love that Santa as dearly as a little boy can love anything. Of course, now that he's grown, that's abated. As far as you know.
Out front, are the poorly laid out Christmas lights. Think "Clark Grizwold minus the $$ & skill" and you're about right.
In the kitchen, of course, are the Christmas dishes that were purchased in Gatlinburg, TN with the last of the disposable $$ near the end of the honeymoon in June 1984.
Next to me is the giant coffee cup given by a former student. HS students give gifts to their teachers; college students not so much. Which I understand.
Near me on a shelf is a hand-carved wooden nativity purchsed in the amazing market located in central Krakow, Poland. Word is, that market has been in operation for over 800 years. I love that it has the traditional manger scene characters, plus a mountain farmer/shepherd on the side kneeling in adoration.
I love the stories behind the ornaments & decorations--and this is but a sample, I assure you. The history, and the instant triggering of vivid cherished memories. That's a big part of the magic of Christmas to me.
But more, I love the cherished memory that goes far deeper in my soul. Of great loss & seperation...and of promises...anticipation...and then their fulfillment in a child born to poor peasants in a backwoods wide-spot-in-the-road. And the restoration that child offers based on the gruesome end of his young earthly life on a hillside outside of town, not that far from where he was born.
Tonight, we'll go to the Christmas Eve service at church and cherish the friendship & celebration & worship & re-telling of the story that binds us together.
It is my prayer that 50 years from now, my grandchildren & great grandchildren will be remembering the stories capture in ornaments, decorations, & nativity scenes. Much more, though, I pray they will be celebrating the story of stories.
But you, OBethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me One Who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from old, from ancient days.
Micah 5:2
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name 'Immanuel' (which means 'God with us')
Matthew 1:21-23
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
Merry Christmas, my friends!
bb
Sunday, December 13, 2009
35 Years
I think I'll let others speak for me today.
Everything I Own - David Gates
You sheltered me from harm; Kept me warm, kept me warm
You gave my life to me; Set me free, Set me free
The finest years I ever knew were all the years I had with you
I would give anything I own
Give up me life, my heart, my home
I would give everything I own
just to have you back again.
You taught me how to love; What it's of, what it's of
You never said too much; but still you showed the way,
and I knew from watching you
Nobody else could ever know the part of me that can't let go.
I would give anything I own, give up me life, my heart, my home.
I would give everything I own just to have you back again
Is there someone you know; you're loving them so, but taking them all for granted?
You may lose them one day, someone takes them away,
and they don't hear the words you long to say
I would give anything I own, give up my life, my heart, my home.
I would give everything I own just to have you back again
Just to touch you once again.
Things I Wish I'd Said - Rodney Crowell
You lay there fighting for each breath while angels hovered round your bed
With open arms like God’s own smile they led you to the light
What a battle you have won and now your journey has begun
To the land where spirits fly and your soul will never die
So travel lightly in my heart. You and I will never part
Far beyond this world we see there’s a place for you and me
And I thank my lucky stars we had a chance to heal our scars
Now I don’t have to hang my head over things I wish I’d said
So here am I your only son; I’m thinking back on work we’ve done
You were strong and I was young; man we had our fights
And every thing I felt for you has been turned to something new
And this is love I feel today, it will never go away
And I thank the moon and stars we had a chance to heal our scars
Now I don’t have to hang my head over things I wish I’d said
I don’t have to hide my tears; I don’t have to drown my fears
And I don’t have to hang my head over things I wish I’d said
No I don’t have to live in dread over things I wish I’d said
(back to Mike: I actually wish this song were true...I do have to hang my head over things I wish I'd said. I hope he knew though; perhaps he did. Does.)
He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.
~Clarence Budington Kelland
Some of you guys think you're a man because you've done something my dog can do...Siring a child does not make you a man...
~Tony Evans
Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.
~Author Unknown
Sherman made the terrible discovery that men make about their fathers sooner or later... that the man before him was not an aging father but a boy, a boy much like himself, a boy who grew up and had a child of his own and, as best he could, out of a sense of duty and, perhaps love, adopted a role called Being a Father so that his child would have something mythical and infinitely important: a Protector, who would keep a lid on all the chaotic and catastrophic possibilities of life. ~Tom Wolfe, The Bonfire of the Vanities
The Gift - © Lea Gomez
I will never say goodbye to you my Father
'cause I know this is not the end for us to see each other.
You will only be going to a place where there’s no pain nor suffering.
I am happy for you, for you will be with God.
For now we need to go in separate ways.
I remember how your arms hold me and give me strength.
You were always there to listen, love, and defend me in everything.
You were my very best friend.
In my triumphs you were always proud.
I’m very grateful and proud to call you my dad.
Here deep inside my heart you’ll always be.
I would give up everything I have just to hug you one more time.
I remember the last time I held your hand and how you looked at me in the eyes.
If only I could turn back the time I would have never let you go.
I felt the world stop and my heart stop beating when they told me you were gone
How I wish I was only dreaming.
Just like the rain; tears fell down from my eyes;
I couldn’t speak for a while.
Thank you Dad….
For always understanding, listening , caring, and loving me for the rest of your life.
It’s difficult to let you go but I must…I must return the gift God gave me…
Till then;See you in Heaven…
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Psalm 116:15
If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
1 Corinthians 15:19
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15:22
The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
1 Corinthians 15:26
So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.
1 Corinthians 15:42-44
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
Everything I Own - David Gates
You sheltered me from harm; Kept me warm, kept me warm
You gave my life to me; Set me free, Set me free
The finest years I ever knew were all the years I had with you
I would give anything I own
Give up me life, my heart, my home
I would give everything I own
just to have you back again.
You taught me how to love; What it's of, what it's of
You never said too much; but still you showed the way,
and I knew from watching you
Nobody else could ever know the part of me that can't let go.
I would give anything I own, give up me life, my heart, my home.
I would give everything I own just to have you back again
Is there someone you know; you're loving them so, but taking them all for granted?
You may lose them one day, someone takes them away,
and they don't hear the words you long to say
I would give anything I own, give up my life, my heart, my home.
I would give everything I own just to have you back again
Just to touch you once again.
Things I Wish I'd Said - Rodney Crowell
You lay there fighting for each breath while angels hovered round your bed
With open arms like God’s own smile they led you to the light
What a battle you have won and now your journey has begun
To the land where spirits fly and your soul will never die
So travel lightly in my heart. You and I will never part
Far beyond this world we see there’s a place for you and me
And I thank my lucky stars we had a chance to heal our scars
Now I don’t have to hang my head over things I wish I’d said
So here am I your only son; I’m thinking back on work we’ve done
You were strong and I was young; man we had our fights
And every thing I felt for you has been turned to something new
And this is love I feel today, it will never go away
And I thank the moon and stars we had a chance to heal our scars
Now I don’t have to hang my head over things I wish I’d said
I don’t have to hide my tears; I don’t have to drown my fears
And I don’t have to hang my head over things I wish I’d said
No I don’t have to live in dread over things I wish I’d said
(back to Mike: I actually wish this song were true...I do have to hang my head over things I wish I'd said. I hope he knew though; perhaps he did. Does.)
He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.
~Clarence Budington Kelland
Some of you guys think you're a man because you've done something my dog can do...Siring a child does not make you a man...
~Tony Evans
Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.
~Author Unknown
Sherman made the terrible discovery that men make about their fathers sooner or later... that the man before him was not an aging father but a boy, a boy much like himself, a boy who grew up and had a child of his own and, as best he could, out of a sense of duty and, perhaps love, adopted a role called Being a Father so that his child would have something mythical and infinitely important: a Protector, who would keep a lid on all the chaotic and catastrophic possibilities of life. ~Tom Wolfe, The Bonfire of the Vanities
The Gift - © Lea Gomez
I will never say goodbye to you my Father
'cause I know this is not the end for us to see each other.
You will only be going to a place where there’s no pain nor suffering.
I am happy for you, for you will be with God.
For now we need to go in separate ways.
I remember how your arms hold me and give me strength.
You were always there to listen, love, and defend me in everything.
You were my very best friend.
In my triumphs you were always proud.
I’m very grateful and proud to call you my dad.
Here deep inside my heart you’ll always be.
I would give up everything I have just to hug you one more time.
I remember the last time I held your hand and how you looked at me in the eyes.
If only I could turn back the time I would have never let you go.
I felt the world stop and my heart stop beating when they told me you were gone
How I wish I was only dreaming.
Just like the rain; tears fell down from my eyes;
I couldn’t speak for a while.
Thank you Dad….
For always understanding, listening , caring, and loving me for the rest of your life.
It’s difficult to let you go but I must…I must return the gift God gave me…
Till then;See you in Heaven…
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Psalm 116:15
If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
1 Corinthians 15:19
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15:22
The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
1 Corinthians 15:26
So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.
1 Corinthians 15:42-44
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
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