Golfing for Life

I've just finished a round of golf that has left me completely worn out. I don't usually play on real nice courses, but this is the Arnold Palmer Player's Club Course here where I live. Now I have a pretty good take on golf because I'm not very good and it is purely recreational for me. So I don't usually get too upset because there is nothing riding on it.
On the other hand, I thought of the professionals who go out every day and hit the ball. A missed fairway here, a sand trap there, a yip on a short putt over there and they lose thousands of dollars. No wonder they get upset. I dont have to worry about that.
But I wonder what would happen if we took our lives that seriously. A broken relationship here, a lost soul there, a ill-used word over there. Praise be to God who gives us the mulligans (extra shots when you muff one, for those of you who are non-golfers), let's us have the gimme's (don't have to putt the ball if it's reasonably close to the hole), and doesn't make us count every shot because we completely miss the ball. We serve a God of forgiveness. Golf is not a good metaphor for life because there are strict rules that must be obeyed or you sustain certain penalties. I'd like to golf with God. In fact, I think I just did. Have a good day. JW

Forced from Home

I was reading about the Jewish residents being forced out of their homes in the Gaza Strip. How many times has this happened? Look through biblical history and see that it happens over and over again.
The soldiers were coming into their homes and giving them their eviction notices. While there, the soldiers were given pictures by the children of the evictees. Can you imagine the tug of the heart strings as these little children are run out of the only home they've ever known? Where do they go now?
Paul Harvey mentioned today that it's like Fiddler on the Roof where the people are driven from their homes. This time, not by the tsar or a pharoah or a conquering king, but their own countrymen.
Peter writes his letter to "strangers." (I Peter 1:1) He says to live our lives as strangers. (I Peter 1:17) He tells us that, as aliens and strangers, we are to abstain from sinful desires. (I Peter 2:11) Perhaps we should live as the Jewish settlers in Gaza. Knowing that our homes here are only temporary. Many of my favorite hymns are the ones about heaven.
"This world is not my home. I'm just a passin' through."
"To Canaan's land I'm on my way where the soul never dies."
"On Jordan's stormy banks I stand and cast a wishful eye."
"Just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay."
"O Zioin, Zion, I long thy gates to see."
"No tears in heaven, no sorrows given, all will be glory in that land."
And then there's Chris Rice's Untitled Hymn. "With your final heartbeat, kiss the world goodbye. Go in peace and laugh on glory's side. And fly to Jesus. Fly to Jesus. Fly to Jesus and live."
I pray that we won't have to be forced from this earthly home. It's kind of like Paul's "rock and a hard place" speech in Philippians. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." (Philippians 1:21-24) Keep your eyes looking up. Continue to look for His coming. I'll see you there someday, if not before.
"Won't it be wonderful there, having no burdens to bear? Joyously singing with heart bells all ringing. O won't it be wonderful there?" Have a great day! JW

Another Moment

Not too long ago, I told you of an incident that happened at Nebraska Youth Camp where my fifteen year old son kissed me goodbye. Well, Karen, go get the Kleenexes.
This time it was Green Valley Bible Camp and it was Saturday night. Sunday is when everyone shows up, but we got there early for obvious reasons. My co-directing partner was going to be a few days late (turns out he didn't show up until Thursday), so I was by myself in the camper. I had been praying for each camper. Then I picked up a book I was reading and began perusing the pages. When I heard footsteps. Tap, tap, tap on the door. "Come in," I said. It was my son. The distance from his cabin to my cabin was quite a distance. And it was down hill one way and obviously up hill the other. "I just wanted to say goodnight, daddy." He still calls me "daddy" in private moments. Once again he came over and kissed me. And then he was gone.
The book I had been reading? God is Closer than You Think by John Ortberg. He talks of seeing God in the small things, the small moments. It was as if God was saying, "Okay, Jim. I'm going to knock your legs out from under you." Okay, okay. I get the picture. Pay attention to the little moments. There may be huge events happening in the kisses, the whispers, and the slight touches. Be looking for God in everything. Have a great day! JW

Learning from Church History

We've been doing a study of church history at our congregation for nearly three months. I have been fascinated by the thread that weaves throughout history to get us where we are today. Several observations on this study.
1. Events don't happen in linear ways. I think we try to portray history as one event followed by another followed by another, etc. What I'm finding is that events pop up all over the place. Zwingli here, Luther there, Calvin in yet another place. And although some have criticized us for saying that these were good men, they were good men. Did they have their faults? Absolutely! But so do I! And I would venture to think, so do you. Back to the original point. These men came to conclusions in many cases quite separately from the other. They would read each other's material (especially after the invention of the printing press) and it would reaffirm what they had already concluded.
2. The Scriptures are so important. I know that sounds like one of those statements that seem so obvious. However, that's what all of the Reformers and Restorers keep coming back to. The importance of the Scripture. There has to be a standard by which all things are measured. We must continue to return to Scripture.
3. We don't have a corner on the market on the truth. Now listen to me here. Do I believe in what I teach? Yes, I do. That truth, however, must come from diligent search into context and hermaneutic. For instance, I had a friend of mine who was an elder/minister for the non-Sunday school church. He mentioned to me one day that the Sunday school issue was not a big deal to him. The reason? He said he was reading the passage where they get that specific belief and he realized when that was written, there was no such thing as Sunday school. It would do us good to talk to our friends in other beliefs. Challenge our thoughts and our interpretation of Scripture. I'm afraid we've gotten into the "it was good enough for my mom and dad and it's good enough for me" mode.
4. Remember, the Restoration Movement was a unity movement. We have assigned to Stone, Campbell, Scott, Lipscomb, Harding, Hardeman, and a number of other people things they never really said. We have taken things out of context (much like we do Scripture) just to satisfy what we believe. Listen to what Barton W. Stone said in his Christian Messenger. "I blush for my fellows, who hold up the Bible as the bond of union yet make their opinions of it a test of fellowship; who plead for union of all Christians; yet refuse to fellowship with such as dissent from their notions. Vain men! Their zeal is not according to knowledge, nor is their spirit that of Christ. Such antisectarian-sectarians are doing more mischief to the cause, and advancement of truth, the unity of Christians, and the salvation of the world than all the skeptics in the world. In fact, they create skeptics."
There are more things I have learned from this exercise. But these are just four. I hope you have a good day today. JW

Cycles

I have mixed feelings this time of year. School is beginning to fire up again. (In my other life, this was the time of year I lost sleep waiting to see what the enrollment was going to be.) But the days are getting shorter, the temperatures start to cool down, and we get into a routine again. It reminds me that another year past and the cycle begins again. It means that even more so now than it does at the end of the year.
Here are my mixed feelings. My kids are another year older. My first baby is now married. My second baby will be sixteen in just four months. That means I'm another year older. With the fall temperatures there is a reminder that winter is right behind. The leaves will fall from the trees and the cold returns. And although the Nebraska winters aren't really as bad as everyone thinks, they are still cold and it does snow.
It's the cycle. God made everything that way with the seasons, the years, and everything that comes with it. Recently I read something talking about an older person being in the winter of life. Personally, I don't like that. That makes it sound like it' s the end of everything. My understanding is that's just the beginning and there is no end. So when we're born, why isn't that the summer of our lives? Then through our teenage and young adult years we go through the fall of our lives. After that comes middle age, the winter and then old age, the spring. Then from there the rest of our eternity! I know that sounds weird and like I'm trying to split words, but isn't this what we truly believe? I don't know, just something to think about. Have a great day! JW

If You Love One Another

What are we known for in the church? We're known for a capella singing. We're known for taking the Lord's Supper every Sunday. We used to be known as the people who thought we were the only ones going to heaven. (I think I'll leave that judgment up to the One who is better suited to determine that).
But Jesus said, "By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35). How many church splits do you know about? How many spats are going on in your church as we speak? How many all out fights, i.e. people not talking to one another, gossip, etc. are going on right now where you attend?
I say it's time to be known for what we are to be known for. I have only heard this about a church one time in my entire life time. How sad. It was a little church in McRae, Arkansas. I used to go down and lead singing there when I was in high school. They were sweet to each other. They enjoyed each other. And the people of the town knew it. I remember going out and knocking doors one time when I heard the comment. "Those people really love each other over there." It's the first and last time I've heard it.
Now we worry about church growth. We hire the finest consultants to tell us how to greet visitors (although you're not supposed to call them visitors). We hire youth ministers, involvement ministers, personal evangelism ministers, worship leaders, etc. (DON'T GET ME WRONG!! I don't think any of these are bad.) But if we want to grow as the Lord wanted us to, I mean really grow, why don't we start loving each other? Wow! What a novel approach. God forbid that we try something Jesus told us to do. Please have a good day. By the way, I love you! JW

Change Agent

I am somewhat amused by the term "change agent." When you see that phrase in an article, it always means something bad. It sounds so devious and secretive. It's like someone has a trench coat going around dropping little bits of advice and controversy just to see change happen. And heaven forbid, we don't want any change.
Now I have to admit, I'm one who really doesn't like a lot of change either. But over my lifetime I have come to realize that change is inevitable if not necessary if not totally essential. For instance, what happens when we become a follower of Christ? Change. What happened to King David when confronted with the facts that he had committed adultery and had murdered? Change. To use a sports example, the athlete that no coach wants is one who is not coachable, i.e. cannot change. If I approached life from the same maturity level I had when I was a teenager, everything would be a train wreck. Why? Because I have changed, praise God!
Now here's my point, we want to affect change around us. We want to have an effect on the world and we want to change the way the world does things. We want change in our churches, change in our homes, change in our workplace. And when people don't change, we get frustrated and downright ugly because "they just don't understand!" "If they would just change their lives, then.... (you fill in the blank)."
I learned a long time ago that I can't change anybody. Now I've argued with people about this, but I believe it is true. Over my entire life (and it's getting longer everyday) there is only one person I have had a profound impact on and been able to change....me. If you want to be a change agent, change yourself. If you want to be able to change the lives of others, change your life. If you want to influence others for good, you yourself should come under the influence of the Great Physician.
A friend of mine attended a Christian college lectureship a few years ago where the crowd was grilling a preacher about some of his writings. They were bringing up some things he had written in previous books when he was younger. His reply? "I've changed my thoughts on that since I wrote those words." To which one preacher sauntered up to the podium and made the statement, (Read this in the most arrogant voice you have) "I have been preaching the gospel for 35 years and I have never changed my beliefs about anything!" How sad. He's right in one respect. Jesus never changes. But if I don't, something is really, really wrong.
So I say, if you want to bring about change, start with yourself first. Besides that, you're wasting your time if you try to change somebody else. The best way to do that is to change yourself. Didn't Jesus say, "Get the 2 X 4 out of your own eye before getting the splinter out of your brother's eye."? Have a great day. JW

The Real World

One of my pet peeves is these reality shows that are on TV right now. I happened to be at the Nebraska-Baylor football game when they were filming the reality show with Tommy Lee. They shot one "reality" scene with him probably three times before they got it the way they wanted.
I say that to say this. One of the things we do at camp is to separate the young men and young women and have them talk to each other. We want them to reflect on the week and let others know how much they mean to each other. One of the young men got up and talked about how much he enjoyed camp, but when they would go back to the real world, they would be challenged in their lives. One of the youth ministers stood up and made a terrifically insightful comment. He said, "This is the real world. Outside of the gates of the camp is a sham. This is the way God created us and intended us to be."
You know, he's right. God created the Garden of Eden so that He could have a relationship with Adam and Eve. But they messed it up. He made a covenant with Israel so He could be their God and they would be His people. But they followed other Gods. He gave them several chances and they continued to turn their hearts away. Then He sent His own Son. He wanted to write His law in our hearts. Now what do we do?
Do we live in the real world? Or do we continue to chase the dead-end streets that Satan continues to throw at us day in and day out? A relationship. That's all God wants with us. "And He walks with me and talks with me, and He tells me I am His own." "My God and I go in the field together. We walk and talk as good friends should and do." Now that's reality! Have a great day. JW

Maranatha

Well, I'm back! Most of you, if not all of you, are saying, "Were you gone?" Been at Green Valley Bible Camp in Rogers, Arkansas. It's a little bit of heaven on earth. It's what God intended the world to be.
I could write from a number of experiences from camp. And I think I will. My friend and camp director (technically, I'm the co-director) didn't show up until Thursday. He was coaching a thirteen-year-old Babe Ruth baseball team in a regional tournament. His youngest daughter was anticipating his return. She was contemplating dedicating her life to Jesus and she wanted to talk to her dad. Unfortunately, (fortunately for him) his team kept winning. They won the winners bracket and then lost two in a row to place second in the tournament. But when my friend's daughter learned her dad had another night to play baseball, she wept. When he did show up on Thursday, she was sooo excited. Her eyes lit up. She hugged his big neck. It was a tear jerker. (My eyes are filling up with tears as I write this) He baptized her on Thursday night. It's been my privilege to see him baptize all three of his children.
What went through my mind was the anticipation of a father's return. Are we looking forward to the return of our Lord as Marissa was looking for her father's return? Do our hearts ache when he doesn't return? (The next question we can't answer, but I'll ask it any way.) Will we be as excited to see Him return as Marissa was to see her dad?
Paul said, "Come, O Lord!" The word is maranatha. Right before this, Paul said, "If anyone does not love the Lord--a curse be on him." (I Corinthians 16:22). The word for curse is anathema. Encouragement or curse? Where are you today? Lord, come quickly! Have a good day. JW

Old Faithful

Our house has an alarm system. I've heard it work before when I forgot to turn it off after returning home at the end of the day. It's a loud, car horn-honking kind of sound. But other than that, I really haven't heard it. Except...About six months (or more) ago, it started making this annoying beep. Just a short, shrill, high pitched beep. Once every thirty-five seconds or so. It was the Old Faithful of burglar alarms. Early on, I decided this house alarm had a bad battery and you could hear the sound coming from this one spot. Although we couldn't really pinpoint it to that very spot. It was up in the upper corner of the kitchen, a small rectangular shaped, plastic motion detector that had a red light that would come on when anyone walked by.
I've climbed up on the counter, risking my knees trying to get the battery out of this burglar alarm. But to no avail. My wife would stand in the middle of the kitchen and say, "Jim, that's not coming from up there. It's coming from behind the refrigerator. I'm sorry, what do women know about burglar alarms, especially ones with motion detectors. After all, this is a man's world and we are the ones that understand the technical equipment around the house. All the while Old Faithful continued to beep. In fact, late at night...in the quiet hours...when you woke up to the silence of the dark....beep. Every thirty-five seconds.
Now frankly, we had kind of gotten use to the incessant beep. It wasn't constant, just consistent. But people could hear it on the phone when they would call us. "What's that sound I hear?" "Oh, that's just Old Faithful." But the kicker came the other night. My son was playing on his Play Station, a storm had just come through plummeting our temperatures from 100+ to the 60s. So my wife opened our doors to let some cool, fresh air in. Now the beep got annoying. It beeped incessantly for at least 10 seconds. Well, being the man that I am, I sprung into action. Obviously my wife didn't know that leaving the doors wide open left us vunerable to attack and the burglar alarm was letting us know. I closed the doors and secured them tightly and we went back to Old Faithful. However, this time was a little different. Every thirty-five seconds it would beep that familiar short beep. Five times it would return to "normal." Then it would let out one long ten second beep. Followed by a three or four second beep. Then back to Old Faithful. Through the night it followed the pattern. At 4:00 am it was still five short, one long, one medium. I was at the end of my technological wit. (Short trip)
The next morning, I received a call from my wife. "I think I have stopped the beeping sound." All right! Finally she has seen the light and decided to confessing that she messed up the burglar alarm. She was cleaning off a cabinet by the refrigerator and behind a box that held a serving dish was a smoke alarm. When she took out the battery, Old Faithful was done.
How many of us try to place blame on everything and everyone else. "The reason the terrorists have attacked us is because of the policies of the West." How about the reason the terrorists attacked was because they were evil people. "He made me do!" We do pretty much what we want to do. We have forgotten personal responsibility. Our court system is based on that (so-called) principle. Many times our church life is based on the same. We wouldn't have so much of a problem with ___________ (fill in the blank) if old brother so and so would just do it my way. Let's quit that. Let's look at our own hearts. Let's quit the blame game. And let's find the real source of the problem. Once we do that, we can be led to the real Solution. Have a great day. JW

P.S. By the way, this is my last blog for a little more than a week. It's time for Green Valley Bible Camp. See you in a little more than a week.

The World According to Starbucks

I know you think I go to Starbucks all the time. But I don't. Just Monday through Thursday mornings on my way to work. And on the weekend if my wife wants to go. In a weird sort of way, it is kind of a microcosm of the post modern world. Nobody goes in for coffee (especially me. I hate coffee!) But it's a special blend coffee with a double shot of who knows what. Some put ice in it, others have whipped cream on top, still others have to be blended. No two drinks are exactly alike. You see businessmen, hippies, hairdressers, frazzled housewives, people who just worked out, etc.
What kind of stoked my interest today was the bartista as they call her. She asked what drink someone wanted and they told her some kind of coffee. Sumatra, I think. She then asked if they wanted extra room in the top for cream. "No, thanks," was his reply. "Awesome!" she said. Now I'm sorry. No room in the top for cream could be practical, daring, frugal, manly, but awesome? This young lady is one of the managers and she's always cheerful, always smiling, always helpful. . .even early in the morning. She probably drives the other people in the place crazy. But I kind of like her.
I appreciated her child-like exuberance. There's this clover stuff that used to grow in my yard. It had little white flowers, but I think it was a weed and I was ever so glad to mow them down when I saw them. When I was a child, I would pick the same flowers for my mother. She always responded as if they were a dozen red, long-stemmed roses. She would often get a small glass and place them in a prominent place.
Now in my youth excitement, picking flowers for my mom, her excitement and reaction--what would happen if we would get excited, really excited about the "little" things God does for us. How do you think He responds in kind? So sad, we struggle to see the little things, we only want the huge miracles. Maybe if we noticed the "little" things God does, we would see even more.
Lord, open my eyes today. Help me to see you in everything--in the song of the birds, the cool of the morning, the wink of the eye of a neighbor, the love of my brother. Forgive me when I ignore you when you hold out your arms and I turn and run. Help me to see your "little" things. Have a great day. JW

Enjoy the Rain

I'm not much for rain. Rain is kind of a nuisance to me. It gets you wet. It keeps you from doing things you want to do. It makes grass grow. And if you've read any of my previous blogs concerning my grass mowing experience, you know I'm no fan.
But I'm also a realist. There's an old Arab proverb that says, "All sunshine doth a desert make." I know that without the rain, things turn brown. They eventually die. And I certainly don't want to live in the Sahara.
So what do you do? You learn to enjoy the rain. How many applications can we put here? Read James 1:2-4. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith developes perserverance. Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." There are a couple of phrases in there that just kind of get me, like scratching fingernails on a chalkboard. Consider it pure joy??? (Enjoy the rain.) If you let perserverance finish its work we'll not lack anything??? (Enjoy the rain.) I don't like perserverance. Perserverance hurts!! (Enjoy the rain.)
I hope you caught the subliminal message. It's the rain that causes us to appreciate the sunshine. It's the rain that causes us to grow. It's the rain that allows us to really enjoy life! For years I didn't get what James was trying to say. I think I get it now. I'm not there yet. But I think I get it. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to enjoy the rain we are having as I write these words. Have a great day. JW

Are You Ready?

One of our little boys from church had surgery this morning. I visited with his mother who is a nurse and understands the goings on of surgery. But this is different. This is her baby. I totally understand. She still remains clinical and factual. She told me this morning before he went into the operating room he asked, "Mom, can I die from this?" She asked him if he meant this kind of surgery on his leg or just surgery in general. He meant surgery in general. You know the answer to that as well as I do. She told him, "Yes, but people have this kind of surgery all the time and it would be very rare." It seemed to satisfy him.
I think he has a valid question. Am I going to die at work? Probably not, but stranger things have happened. There have been car accidents, heart attacks and strokes, and ask the people in Washington, D.C. and New York city if someone can die at work. The point is, are we ready? I know most of us are never completely ready especially if we're talking of dying at a fairly young age. But what is our relationship with God like right this very moment? Take a moment and think about that. Really? How is it? That seems to be the important question.
There's a perennial question about the second coming of Christ. Some say it is the bodily return of Jesus that signifies the end of the world. Others say it was the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. I've never gotten too caught up in the arguments for those because I think we miss the point. In those passages, the question is, "What kind of people should we be?" We must be ready.
Can we die from living life? Yes we can. But then, I don't worry about that too much. At least I try not to. Neither should you. Instead, we should concentrate on your relationship to the Sovereign Lord, El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient God. Have a great day. JW

Meredith Moments

My daughter, bless her heart, is now 22 years old and an old married woman as of May 28th. We have laughed at her all of her life because of some of the things she has said. For instance, she used to get angry with us when she was a little girl, stomp her foot, and say, "You're funny, Daddy!" She thought it was an insult of some kind and we would just laugh. Which made her all the more angrier. Or when she was in eighth grade, she was visiting the United Nations in New York City. The tour guide was explaining the scope of the international community and made the comment that they were not in the United States as they stood in the United Nations building. So my daughter raised her hand and asked, "So are we in Canada?" Or (and I may have told you this) when my wife and I were talking one time about the pretty flowers this company had planted in front of their building. Martha said, "Look at the pansies." To which my daughter blurted, "Where are the chimpanzies?"
I would be remiss if I didn't give you one that I had the other day. My wife and I were going to pick up my son at camp and so we decided to go over the night before. We like to stay in bed and breakfast establishments so we made a reservation for a little place in Grand Island, NE. On the way over I inquired, "Now do we get breakfast with this?" (That's probably why they call them Bed and Breakfast.)
The apostles had the same problem. Jesus kept telling them that His kingdom was not of this world. Even thought Peter and John tried to get the seats of honor on Jesus' right and left side. Even though they tried to make Him king by force. Even though Peter tried to cut off the servant of Malchus' ear thinking this was the time, Jesus continued to tell them that His kingdom was not of this world. He raised from the grave and they were all so happy. They gathered around Him and asked, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" Jesus must have just kind of sighed and realized they had a moment just like Meredith did, just like I did. They spoke before their brains were in gear. Jesus answered, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority." What I read in those words is, "You didn't get it did you? Go to Jerusalem and you will."
Too often we don't get it either. We forget, this is His turf. We're the visitors, the strangers, the aliens. And we speak far too often. Someone said that James told us to be slow to speak, swift to listen and slow to anger. That God gave us two ears and only one mouth. Therefore we should listen twice as much as we speak. Good advice. Now if I could only listen. Have a great day. JW

What Jeremiah Thinks

I am gaining a new respect for the prophets. In teaching Jeremiah last night, one in my class said, "You know, the things they are dealing with are the same things we are dealing with. Nothing has changed that much." BINGO!!! That's what Solomon said, "There is nothing new under the sun."
Which brings me through the back door on worship once again. Two elements of worship, gratefulness (I might add overwhelming gratefulness) and (to overuse the phrase) overwhelming sense of who God is. Jeremiah dealt with them both. He said, "They say to wood, 'You are my father,' and to stone, 'You gave me birth.' They have turned their backs on me and not their faces; yet when they are in trouble, they say, 'Come and save us!'" (Jeremiah 2:27) They were worshiping idols. Things made of wood and stone. Then he said earlier, "Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of me,' declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty." (Jeremiah 2:19) There it is again. They turned their backs and not their faces to God (ungrateful) and they had no awe (overwhelming sense of who God is). Notice how 2:19 ends after mentioning not having awe of God. It doesn't say, "says the Lord." It doesn't say, says the Lord Almighty." It says, "says the Lord, the Lord Almighty."
And by the way, while I'm thinking about it, this is worship. This isn't what we do on Sunday morning. It's the way we live our lives. The Sunday (or Saturday in their case) stuff doesn't matter one whit when they rest of the time is not there. It's our life. It's our life. It's our life. Maybe one day we'll understand that. Have a great day!! JW

Completely Anonymous

Let me start today's blog with a disclaimer. The crime I refer to in this blog is a horrendous one. There is no way to justify the actions of the person in it. It is my hope that the authorities apprehend the perpetrator expeditiously.
I was listening to the radio the other day and the community has contributed to the Crime Stoppers fund to catch a criminal. The city councilman whom I heard interviewed was very complimentary of the community as they bonded together in this difficult time. And I agree, it is very heartening to see people work to make their communities safer. What caught my ear was the advertising of the Crime Stoppers reward. If you called in with a tip and the criminal was arrested, you would receive $7500. The announcer went on to say that all tips were completely anonymous. Now my question, how will the people receive the reward if they are completely anonymous? A number of scenarios circled in my brain and I saw some humor in this. If the police don't know who gives them the tip, the money is safe!!
But I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt and I concluded that somehow they would give their name in the process. No! I listened further and the interview with the police continued. Not only would the people remain anonymous, they would not have to reveal their identities and would not have to testify in court. (It gets even better.) And when they called in, instead of revealing their names, they would receive a number that would completely protect their identity. So once again, the money is safe!! Perhaps it will go to the Police Ball or to the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fund.
I hope the police catch the criminal. But good luck to the people who help apprehend him. I doubt if they'll ever see the money. Have a good day. JW

Whatever It Takes

The older I get the more contrasts I see in life. Yesterday couldn't have been more clear. Please don't misunderstand since I've talked about death a lot lately. I don't have a morbid sense of life or death. It just seems that I have been going to more funerals lately. (By the way, when my parents were still alive, I remember calling them and they would tell me of a funeral they had attended. "Did you know them?" I would ask. "No, not really, but we knew his brother's sister's cousin's aunt. Honest, the funerals I have gone to lately have either been people I've know well or those I have done the service.)
C.F. was a faithful Christian man. His son is a preacher. His grandson attends church where I preach. His grandaughter was a classmate of my daughter's in college. He was a rancher, a farmer, a good man. I talked to his son, Bruce, before the funeral. Bruce had a smile on his face even though he was hurting. We visited a few minutes about how C.F. was in a much better place and how we didn't know how people with no faith could make it through such times. I assured Bruce of the welcoming committee that greeted C.F. as he entered his reward. Bruce appreciated our visit, I could tell.
Soon after the funeral, I visited my brother. My brother is not a Christian. Almost immediately, the conversation moved to our mother's death. "I'm having a hard time handling this," he said to me. I admitted that I have had similar feelings, but Mom's resting place is assured. I'm so happy for her because she is where she wants to be, in a place with no tears, no sorrows.
When I got home, the contrast was so stark. Here is a man who just lost his father and he had a smile on his face. He'll miss him terribly, but he'll see him again one day. Another man had lost his mother and couldn't handle it. Could it be that he's thinking he may never see her again?
To all of my friends out there, we get so caught up in life that we forget the most important thing. And the most important thing in life is to keep the most important thing in life the most important thing. Whatever it takes to be together with the Savior, that needs to be our business. That needs to be our life. Don't get caught up in the foolish pursuits that Satan wants us to chase. . .these silly little diversions that seem so big now. Whatever it takes, I want you to be there, with me, with the rest of us. Whatever it takes. Have a great day. JW

I Don't Want to be Miserable

So many lessons I learn or think about occur while I'm in my car. Yesterday on the way to church services, I pulled out into traffic (there wasn't any, just one car waaayyy down the road). The other car moved over into the other lane and eventually passed us on the left. Then immediately got into our lane. I had to brake to keep from being so close.
My thought was, "she's going a certain speed and I guess she wants me to do the same." Isn't that like the human race? I'm miserable, so I want you to be miserable like me. Go at my rate. Feel like I feel. Preferably, miserably.
The Scripture says we are to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. I think we have the mourning stuff down. But there's something about someone else being happpy that just rubs us the wrong way. Why should they be happy when I'm not?
Maybe we should work on that this week. . .being truly, genuinely happy for someone who's happy. Are you happy? Why don't you let your face know about it? Have a good day. JW

Celebrations

You know we complain about the Israelites so much. We think that if we had been there, things would have really been different. I believe the Hebrew word for that is "hogwash." That's why I'm not too hepped up about miracles in our day. I'm not sure they would make that much of a difference. Look at the Israelites. They had them everyday and they still messed up.
But one thing I do like about them is their festivals, their traditions. Now I'm not ready to grow my beard and start singing "Tradition!" from Fiddler on the Roof, but I think they had the right idea on some things. As a nation they celebrated the harvest. You may say, so do we on the last Thursday in November. That has become more of a football fest than thanksgiving. They repented together on The Day of Atonement. And they celebrated together at the Feast of the Tabernacles. Once a week, they looked in anticipation to the Sabbath. I know they really messed up, but the true Jew knew exactly what all of these things were for. It would have been great to have been raised in this. Remember when they crossed the Jordan, they were to take stones for each tribe and they built an altar. It was for a reminder. When their kids asked about those stones, they were to tell them how God delivered them and gave the land they inherited. They had a number of feasts, but they were all to remember what God had done.
We would do good to remember what God has done. That's why it's so important that we gather on the Lord's Day and commune togehter. There's nothing magical. It's not something that gives us eternal life or something that we do to get our ticket punched. It is to remember and to celebrate what God did through His son. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Have a great day. What's left of it. JW

Movies

My wife and I were talking last night about just how poor movies are anymore. Maybe this is the "I wish things were better in the good old days speech." But I don't think so. They weren't that great when I was younger either. I'm getting to the point that I spend $8 to sleep in the movie theater. That really makes me mad. I could do that at home.
My wife doesn't rent DVD's or videotapes for me because it's an instant cure for insomnia for me. Don't get me wrong. There still are some good movies out there. I'm just gettting tired of showing the women's body just to show the body. I'm getting tired of the bad language. When good family movies are made, money is made. Why hasn't Hollywood learned that lesson yet? Maybe I'm in the wrong business. Have a great day. JW

Things

I made my regular Starbucks run this morning. At this point, I feel the need to let you know that I am not a coffee drinker. Never have been in spite of the efforts of my father to try to get me to like the nasty stuff. I do drink chai. My first experience with chai was in Vladivostok, Russia where the chai is a kind of fruit tea. Since I've been back to the States, chai has blossomed as my drink of choice. Although it's nothing like the Russian drink, I like chai.
Well, that was random and useless. But anyway, I made my regular Starbucks run this morning. My old van has 151,000 miles. The air conditioning doesn't work. It's just old and ugly and it runs and it's paid for. There were two gentlemen in the place when I walked in. They were sitting in the easy chairs drinking their (I assume) coffee. They were the only two customers in the place. When I left, I noticed the cars they were driving. One had a beautiful red Mercedes SUV. It was nice and clean and had all the bells and whistles on it. But sitting next to it was a red, convertible Mustang GT.
As I drove to work, I mused that despite the fact that these gentlemen had such nice, expensive vehicles to ride in, my car worked just as well. The results were the same for all of us. We were able to purchase our drink of choice and walk out and go wherever we wanted to go.
I guess my point this morning is we get so caught up in the material. And the scary thing is, although I felt sorry for myself, my vehicle is better than what most people of the world don't have. My trip to Trinidad in the 90s helped me to realize that it's not about the physical. The money, the things don't help us get to heaven. What gets us there is Jesus...and only Jesus.
Those of us who strive every day to get more and more should strive to be more and more like Jesus. He said, "Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man doesn't have a place to put his head." Was He trying to say we should give away everything and live as paupers? No. He was saying quit putting your trust in the things that deteriorate and rust and break.
One day, the guys I saw are going to have to get new cars. But my old van will still be running (hopefully, please, please, please) and I'll still be able to get my chai. I think I'll drink mine now. Have a good day. JW

The Moment

It happened so quickly I almost didn't catch it. In fact, I was thirty minutes down the road when I realized the magnitude of the event. That's the way a lot of important moments are. We live in a day and age of movies. You have to have the big premier, the grand opening, the biggest ever sale. Most of the really important things happen so quickly, so quietly that if if you're not paying attention, you miss it.
I had taken my 15 year old son back to camp. I say back because he went out (2 1/2 to 3 hour drive) to camp on Sunday morning. My wife took him out there knowing that before long we would know the schedule of his baseball tournament as she was driving out. But he insisted on going to camp because a.) He wanted to get in the cabin he wanted, b.) he wanted to get the bed he wanted, and c.) he wanted to get to camp. Several things he doesn't miss in his life. A good night's sleep, talking to his friends on AOL instant messaging, and going to camp. Monday afternoon I picked him up (with a friend) and we came back for his Monday and Tuesday night games. He didn't want to be there because he was missing one of the things you don't miss.
So at 5:30 this morning we began to trek back out to camp. As we drove up, he triumphantly said, "We're back." Off he ran to check on the boys in the cabin. He came back around about two minutes later asking if the car was open so he could get his stuff out. Once again he disappeared. I was ready to leave and wondered where he was. Out he popped once again. And then it happened. He hugged me and then he kissed me. Fifteen year old boys don't kiss their dads very often. Granted it was early in the morning and there were no campers around, but I'll take it. He told me he loved me and to tell "Mommy, I love her, too." And then he was gone.
It was a great moment. And I almost missed it. But I didn't. And I still feel the wet kiss on my left cheek as I write this. Have a great day. I am. JW

Sing a New Song

As I read my good friend David Underwood's blog and his comments on other blogs, I am reminded how important our singing is. Think about this. We can remember words and music from all of those dumb songs from the 60's. "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy, I've got love in my tummy." How about, "Young girl, get out of my mind. My love for you is way out of line. Better run, girl, you're much too young, girl." I remember singing that song at the top of my lungs when I was in junior high. My parents must have been clutching their chests in the other room.
But I also remember the wonderful songs we sang in worship services. That's what sticks in our minds. We need to be listening to spiritual songs more and filling our minds with positive and spiritual messages instead of the words and music that we hear now (and when I was young!). I admit I still like to listen to Chicago and The Doobie Brothers and Three Dog Night. I do cherish more the songs by Christian writers now. Just this morning, the song went through my head, "He leadeth me, O blessed thought." Now that's a great thought to begin the day. "Where ere I go, where ere I be, still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me." Please lead me today, my Lord. Old words, but just as true today as they were when they were written. Have a great day. JW

The Church

My Dad was a great man. Was he perfect? Of course not. He died twelve years ago last Friday. That doesn't seem possible, but time really rushes by. There were times he really got on my nerves, as any father does. He loved me and taught me to love Jesus. And I loved him. There were some intangibles that he lived by thatI would do well to follow.
For instance, he didn't like anyone criticizing the church. There seem to be a lot out there doing so, trying to get us to get things right and to do the right things. There were some prominent ministers that he took to task because they made a living selling books that did knock the church. I remember his statement. Jesus died for the church. Why should we be bashing it?
I see the church as a bunch of yahoos who mess up and frustrate me and who are narrow minded. He saw the church as imperfect people who were saved by the perfect Christ.
Good lesson. I need to listen more, even as he sleeps. Have a great day. JW

Worship Revisited

As I have been comtemplating worship lately, there have been several things that come to mind as to what worship is. I know the definitions, i.e. kissing toward, etc. But there are several things and several concepts that must be a part of worship. Let me know if you think of any others. The first is an overwhelming sense of who God is. Very little surprises us anymore. We've seen everything (or at least we think we have). It's hard for us to understand the hugeness (is that a word?) of anything, let alone God. We don't go outside and look at the night stars anymore. We're inside surrounded by trees or the lights of the city. We have gone to the moon, to Mars, and lands sakes, we just crashed a spacecraft into a comet. Ain't man grand?? But God is so unbelievably awesome. He is beyond all of that and until we understand the awesome power of God, we can't understand worship. There's a story in the Old Testament where God turns a desert into an oasis. The writer says in essence, "this is nothing for God." Maybe we need to sit where Job was when God quizzed him in Job 38, 39, and 40. Perhaps a good reading of that will help.
Second, worship is an overwhelming sense of thankfulness. What did Noah do when he got off the ark? He built an altar. Why? He was thankful. Read the Psalms and see how many of them have to do with thankgiving. Once we see how totally dependent we are on God, once we know our place, once we know His place, we will be overcome with gratitude. That kind of worship flows.
Third, the relationship with God must be there in order to worship. We can't saunter in whenever we want. Or even more, we can't call to Him just when we need something. We degrade God when we do that. We render Him irrelevant in our lives. God is the God of the now, the today, the good times, the bad times. He wants a relationship. They had it in the Garden and they blew it. We laugh and scoff at Adam and Eve and we wonder why they couldn't see that. But we do the same thing. We go off to our own devices and ask God in whenever we need Him. Worship isn't worship without a relationship with Him.
Fourth, we must have a relationship with our brothers and sisters to worship. What is it John said, "How can we say we love God whom we have not seen and hate our brother who we can see."? I think the whole point of the "where two or three are gathered" has to do with relationship. We make it all about worship. And I think Jesus says the relationship with the brothers and sisters has to be there before the worship can be there.
Well, these are just some ramblings. Tell me what you think. Have a great day. JW

Peace

Once again the world wakes up to tragedy. Please pray for the world. Pray for those who murder and maim in the name of Allah. Pray for those who were killed or hurt. Pray for their families. Pray that Jesus will heal all wounds. Jesus is the answer in all of this. It's so simple, yet so complicated.
Peace, perfect peace. In this dark world of sin. The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
Peace, perfect peace. By thronging duties pressed: To do the will of Jesus--this is rest.
Peace, perfect peace. With sorrows surging round: On Jesus' bosom naught but calm is found.
Peace, perfect peace. With loved ones far away: In Jesus' keeping we are safe, and they.
Peace, perfect peace. Our future all unknown. Jesus we know and He is on the throne.
It is enough. Earth's struggles soon shall cease, and Jesus call us to heav'n's perfect peace.

JW

Changed for a Second (and Third and Fourth...)Chance

What makes people change? I think I know the answer to that question, but it hit me as I was studying my Bible. And it got me to thinking. How many people do you know that were on fire for Jesus, but then burned out? Try as you might, the people who do fizzle out are not always those whose faith is (was) weak. I know some mighty warriors who have been beaten to death and, at least, outwardly don't seem to care any more.
Peter is a classic example. "I will never forsake you!" he said to Jesus. I believe he meant it because he went for the jugular and only got the ear of Malchus' servant. Before he truly understood what Jesus was talking about, he denied Jesus and he decided to go back to fishing.
Solomon is another. He built a temple that was a tremendous sight. He claimed, "O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below..." Yet, not long after that in Scriptures we find the words that are used so often to describe many subsequent kings of Israel. "So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done.
There is a silver lining in all of this. God never turns His back on us. The door is always open. He's always willing to take us back. Don't believe me? Peter came back and was more effective than he ever dreamed possible. Did you see the statment in the last paragraph? Speaking of David, the writer says Solomon didn't follow the Lord completely as David did. Are you kidding me? David? I thought he commited adultery with Bathsheba? I thought he had Uzziah murdered? David was called a "man after God's own heart." Hosea bought back Gomer. Even after she had commited adultery and returned back to prostitution. He took her back. The story of the Prodigal Son should be called the Parable of the Loving Father. Example after example after example. God takes us back.
That's not to say we should take the "it's easier to get forgiveness than permission" mode. But it does mean that God will take us and love us even if we fail miserably. Why? I don't know. He loves us and that's enough.
In all of this, I guess I'm asking all of us to change. To change for the better. To seek God's face and to run to Him. And in spite of our failures, in spite of our faults, He is gracious and good. He is our God. Like the song from the Broadway musical "Wicked" that I quoted several weeks ago, "Because I knew you I have been changed for good." Wow! If that doesn't describe our relationship with God, I don't know what does. Have a great day. JW

Fireworks

I know this is July 5th, but I still have some July 4th thoughts on my mind. In the great city I live in there is a huge concert and fireworks show in Memorial Park. People come from all over and place their mats, blankets, tarps, whatever to place their claim on the park's grounds. This year they had groups such as Three Dog Night and The Doobie Brothers come and sing. Even though they had these bands from my era, I didn't want to fight the crowd and deal with the traffic. What my family did do is go to a higher elevation and watch the fireworks from a distance. We couldn't hear the music, we couldn't hear the BOOMS of the fireworks, but we could see them. Interestingly, there was a family who drove up to watch the fireworks. They drove up all in a dither, dashed out of their big Suburban, placed their lawn chairs on the grass and sat...for just a few minutes. There was a small fireworks show off to the right. They watched them, packed up their car, and sped off. About five minutes later, the real fireworks show began. I wondered if they ever knew that they missed the real show.
You know it's not the same to watch fireworks from such a distance. It's kind of "pretty," but just not the same. And we certainly didn't hurry off after seeing a much smaller fireworks show like the people in the Suburban. There was just something...missing.
So on we decided to go to Rosenblatt Stadium (Home of the College World Series) and watch the REAL fireworks show. We sat through a boring ball game (I actually liked it, but my wife spent the whole time talking to a friend). Then we were allowed on the left field grass to see the fireworks display right above us. It was so close, many of us had cinder, ash, whatever, from the fireworks on us. What a show! You could feel the report of the big cannon-like blasts. The fireworks were really wonderful. You could hear the oohs and the ahhs of the crowd. What a great time!
Can anyone see a biblical application here? Some are impatient with Jesus. They want the big stuff. They come and see a little display of his power and then they pack it in and go home. Others watch the glory from a distance. But they don't want to expend the effort to get close. Then others go through the trials, the difficulties, and sometimes the boredom. They are rewarded in the end by a spectacular display of power. Which one are you? Where are you in all of this? Think about that before you answer and have a great day. JW

P.S. By the way, as we were waiting for it to get dark the other night, there was the most spectacular sunset. I wondered if anyone saw it. We were waiting to see the glorious power of man-made bombs and explosives when God very majestically painted an explosive scene in His glory right before our eyes. That's just like Him.

The Supreme Court

I heard Steve Farrar speak one time. He's the author of a number of books including Point Man and Riding for the Brand. He's a wonderful speaker on family and men's issues. He said a lot of good things that I don't remember. But one thing I do remember. He was talking of a number of legal issues and he mentioned the Supreme Court of the United States. He was very careful to add, "of the United States." He said the reason why he said that was because someday the Supreme Court of the United States would have to answer to the Supreme Court.
In light of the fact that we will have to have a new justice, that justice will serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. Praise God we don't have to answer to them. Of course, we do as citizens of this country. But this world is not our home. We are not citizens here. And some day we will stand before the Righteous Judge. I prefer to place my destiny and future in Him. Have a great day. JW

Take My Life

My wife was recently invited to a high school class reunion. It wasn't one of those "banner" year reunions. They haven't had one in a while so they decided to meet. My class was the same way. I think we had a 26th year reunion. This year would have been my 33rd class reunion. I can't believe we didn't celebrate! Some of you are out there figuring just exactly how old I am. Get a life!!
Anyway, while cleaning out Mom's house recently, I found a program she had saved (she saved everything!!) from my high school baccalaureate and graduation. I led this song during that ceremony:

Take my life, O Father, mold it in obedience to Thy will;
And as rip'ning years unfold it, keep it true and child-like still.

Father keep it pure and holy, strong and brave, yet free from strife,
Turning from the paths unholy of a vain or sinful strife.

Ever let Thy might surround it; strengthen it with pow'r divine,
Till Thy cords of love have bound it, Father, wholly unto Thine.

As I read those words again, I realized that God has kept His end of the bargain. It's me that has been rebellious and unflexible and hard to deal with. I don't want to be that way. I would hope that these words would apply to me today as they did 33 years ago. Even though my age would not be considered "rip'ning years," I still want God to mold me. The Israelites struggled with this, the prophets struggled with this, the apostles struggled with this, so I 'm in good company. But that doesn't give me an excuse. Today I pray that the cords of God's love surround you as they have me for all of these years. And you will be bound eternally to God who pursues us and makes us pure. Have a good day. JW

By the way, today would have been my Mom and Dad's 63rd wedding anniversary. Instead of counting years, they are counting praises for God as we speak. God, please take care of these two precious souls. I know you are.

Important

Yesterday I was wearing my Arkansas Razorbacks Athletic Department shirt. At this point, I must apologize to my unbelieving, non-Razorback fans, but you just got to understand; I have three degrees from the University of Arkansas and claim Arkansas as home. I have gotten several comments about the shirt complimenting me on the piece of clothing that I'm proud to wear.
I was eating with a friend of mine yesterday when the waitress noticed my shirt. "Arkansas Razorbacks, huh?" she said. I gave her a quick "Wooo Pig Soooiieee."
"Do you work for the athletic department?"
"No."
" Are you a coach?"
"No."
"Are you important?"
"Yes, I am." Really. I said that. But then I followed. "And so are you. Everyone's important."
She told us that she had just moved to Omaha from Kearney. At the end of the meal my friend asked me for my card and when she came back, he asked her if she had found a church home. She hadn't. She had been looking. We invited. She said she would come. She's looking for a teaching job. My friend said he might could get her connected to the right person. Now we wait. Will she be here Sunday?
You know, little conversations can end up with big results. Look at Nicodemus. Look at the Samaritan woman at the well.
I learned a lesson today. A lesson in kindness and openness. A lesson in just asking. What does it hurt? Jesus did it all the time. Have a great day! JW

The Ring

As a preacher, one wonders whether or not your message is really getting through. People kind of file in and file out. They shake your hand and tell you that it was a good sermon. I'm sometimes convinced that if I really had nothing good at all to say, someone would still say, "I enjoyed your sermon."
Sunday I preached a sermon about firstfruits. Using the sacrifices of the Old Testament, I explained how God had always asked for the first, the pure, the best from His people. Then I used Abraham as an example. I told them that God would at some time in our lives asks for us to give up the most precious thing we have. Sometimes we get it back, sometimes not. And God will never ask us to do something that He's not willing to do. He asked Abraham to give his precious son Isaac and then stopped him from sacrificing him. God gave His only Son and didn't stop.
We had envelopes for people to place their contributions in Sunday. We had printed a bow on the envelope and we had these words: To: My Father, A Gift, From: Your Child. I wanted to emphasize that giving was a part of our worship--not just an adjunct to the Lord's Supper, i.e. "separate and apart..." But I also wanted everyone to see that we are to give our best in everything, not just our money. He wants the best of our time, our talents.
After services I was called into the room where the money was being counted. One of the envelopes had some cash in it...and a ring. What did the ring represent? Was it a gift? Was it a wedding ring? What sentimental value did it have? It still remains a mystery. But I have to admit, I was moved. Someone listened. Someone heard. Someone gave something important to the Lord.
So many times we grasp what we have so tightly. It's time we let go. It belongs to God anyway. I heard a story several years ago about a guy who had been called to heaven. He knew he was going and he knew what time. He was told that he could bring one and only one suitcase with him. "What can I take?" he thought. So he loaded up his suitcase with pure gold. He lugged it up to the gates of heaven and he was met at the gates. "Please open up your suitcase," the angel said. He proudly opened the valise up and the angel replied, "Pavement??? You brought pavement?" Have a great day. JW

The First Time

Yesterday my 15-year-old son had a first in his life. He hit his first home run. I'm not talking about pee-wee league home runs where you hit a grounder to the shortstop and he throws it over the first baseman's head. While Nate scrambles to second, the first baseman retrieves the ball and heaves into the outfield. You know the routine. I'm talking a bona fide, over-the-fence, trot around the bases homerun. I think it surprised him as much as it did me. It was something he'll remember for the rest of his life.
I started to think about obscure things that happened in my life that are tucked in the inner recesses that only happened once, but are indelibly printed on my gray matter. I think about the conversation that I had with my best man. We in the basement of his house the night before he was to get married. We talked of getting involved in the church. I thought about the winning free throw I made in a basketball game when I was in junior high. Or, the moment my precious fiancee become my bride. I still remember the feeling I had when I came up from the baptismal waters after my dad baptized me.
As I watched my son trot around the bases, I couldn't help but be proud. And I have been thinking about those moments in his life that he'll remember. I pray to God that they'll be good memories. That they'll be ones that put a smile on his face, not a frown on his heart. I hope your memories are good ones, too. Have a great day. JW

Too Short, Too Soon

In less than one hour we go to the cemetery to lay to rest a young life cut too short way too early. My words I have prepared seem somewhat empty. But I know God can take empty words and make them powerful. That's what I'm depending on. Please keep the Neal family in your prayers. As I went outside to get the paper today, it was rainy a slow steady rain. My thought was that it was God's tears. God's tears for this family who have gone through what nobody should have to go through. But they'll make it. They trust is still in the Lord. The journey will be a hard one. Once again, please keep them in your prayers. And pray for all of us who are doing the ceremony. Just pray that God's words are spoken. JW

Truth

Truth is such a precious commodity. More precious than gold. With the recent events, I've learned that truth is difficult to find because so many people want the sensational, the "story," the gritty "facts." Everything you read in the paper is correct, right? All the reporting on the news is exactly the truth, isn't it? Truth is a step child to the glitter.
Maybe that's what Pilate was struggling with when he asked Jesus, "What is truth?" What are the facts...really? All I know is all truth is God's truth. I wish I had the answers. But our goal is to constantly seek for truth. No. That word is not strong enough. It's a quest, a mission, a trek, a journey for God's truth. Join me on this quest, would you? JW

Terrible Timing

This is my second murder. They don't get any easier. I was so angry this morning when I got out of my car. I still don't understand why a precious girl would have to suffer a frightening ordeal as Sarah did.
Let me tell you about the other one. It's all about terrible timing. George Shepherd and his wife went to the doctor's office because George had an appointment. (Little did he know it was an appointment with his God, not his doctor.) So did one of the residents of the county jail. A new (less than 6 months) deputy was commissioned to take this young inmate to the doctor. While in the waiting room, the inmate took the deputy's gun and shot him point blank in the chest. He then proceeded to leave the office. George and Sue were walking up to the office at that point. Seeing what was happening, George tackled the man with the gun. Evidently, his arm with the gun were still free and he pointed it at Sue threatening to kill her. George struggled with the prisoner some more and he turned the gun on George and shot him. I believe it was the inferior vena cava that was nicked and George bled to death.
The funeral was somewhat of a media event. The place was packed, TV cameras wanted to come into the chapel, everyone gawked at this hero. The sheriff's office made a commendation at the funeral. I still remember the words I said. "Many are surprise that such a common man would do such an uncommon thing. But he learned it from his Savior. For, years ago Jesus gave His life so that others could live. George was just emulating his Lord."
I keep going to II Corinthians 4. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary trouble are achieving for us a glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary. But what is unseen is eternal." Amen, Paul. That's where I've placed my stake in the ground today.

Sarah

She was lively, active, smiling, mischievous, everything a teenager is supposed to be. She had wrecked her mom's car at one point. She would take a pencil or pen and beat out rhythmic beats at a table, window, or any other flat surfaces. She was an excellent softball player receiving honors for her abilities. She is dead.
I've got to admit that I understand the loss of a loved one, but not the loss of a daughter. I can get the sudden loss of someone since my mother passed suddenly, without warning in her sleep. But I can't understand the suddenness of murder. I continue to ask the question, "Why?" And if I feel that, I can't imagine what her parents are feeling right now.
Intellectually, I can place myself in a living God who loves me and understands my feelings and hurts and sorrows. But emotionally, I continue to question how something like this could happen.
I just talked to my own daughter who I married off less than a month ago. She said, "Daddy, she'll never get to go to her prom, her dad will never walk her down the aisle." Maybe she's on the arm of God right now. That's where I'll stand on this one. JW

Sing

I've grown up with a pretty eclectic collection of church music. Being raised in a good Church of Christ home, we didn't sing anything to any instruments. There was one occasion at my brother's high school graduation that the band had a beautiful trumpet fanfare to the hymn "God of Our Fathers." I remember my father wouldn't sing. But I grew up to the old, old songs. Christian Hymns II and III were our songbooks. I still have several copies of them in my library. There are some great songs. My mother used to sing "Rock of Ages." It was her favorite song. I couldn't stand it. Too slow. What did it mean? On and on. It has since become one of my favorites. "Sound the Battle Cry," "Come Ye, Disconsolate," "Ready to Suffer," were all songs we sang. I led the song "Does Jesus Care" right before a sermon one time and the preacher came to me afterward and said he wasn't sure what I was trying to say. The chorus says something about "the long nights dreary." He said he wasn't sure if I was talking about his sermon or not.
We moved to Searcy, Arkansas when I was a sophomore in high school. There we had high church. I'm not complaining, because there are some tremendous songs in the Great Songs of the Church book. "O Sacred Head," "Night with Ebon Pinion," "Twas on that Night" were beautiful songs musically and poetically. Many of those songs are still written on my heart. Stamps-Baxter music was taboo, almost sacreligious. There was a time in college when I was in choir when we weren't allowed to sing on the bus on chorus tours because of the strain on our voices. So we would get down some old song books and whistle the different parts. "Let Me Live Close to Thee" in the whistling mode sounded like a caliopy. Now THAT'S sacreligious! We could hardly get through the first line because you can't laugh and whistle at the same time.
With the addition of Christian music, new names and new songs have emerged. Names such as Michael W. Smith, Twila Paris, and groups like Point of Grace, Mercy Me, and Casting Crowns have all changed our music. My biggest gripe about music today is the songs we sing that last for ten minutes and all we do is change one word. Not that we can't be edified by those kinds of songs. We just haven't been very creative.
But I love to sing "We Shall Assemble on the Mountain" and "There is a Redeemer." In the chorus when we sing "Thank you, O, my Father for giving us your Son. And leaving your Spirit 'til the work on earth is done" moves me everytime I sing them. I can hardly get through the song. There'll be singing in heaven. In fact, Revelation talks of a new song. There's a book out called 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. He relates his story of being clinically dead for 90 minutes and being greeted outside the gates of heaven. I'm pretty much a skeptic on things like this, but you have to hear his words. Listen to his description of the singing in heaven.
"The praise was unending, but the most remarkable thing to me was that hundreds of songs were being sung at the same time--all of them worshiping God. As I approached the large, magnificent gate, I head them from every direction and realized that each voice praised God......Many of the old hymns and choruses I had sung at various times in my life were part of the music--along with hundreds of songs I had never heard before. Hymns of praise, modern-sounding choruses, and ancient chants filled my ears and brought not only a deep peace but the greatest feeling of joy I've ever experienced....As I've pondered the meaning of the memory of the music, it seems curious. I would have expected the most memorable experience to be something I had seen or the physical embrace of a loved one. Yet above everything else, I cherish those sounds, and at times I think, I can't wait to hear them again--in person. It's what I look forward to. I want to see everybody, but I know I'll be with them forever. I want to experience everything heaven offers, but most of all, I want to hear those never-ending songs again."

"I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high." Psalm 7::17 Have a great day! JW

Baseball Game of Life

One of the advantages of living in Omaha, Nebraska is the opportunity to attend the NCAA College World Series. (Omaha is a great place to live. I know you think snow and cold weather. But this city of over 800,000 is a wonderful place!) Someone generously gave me four tickets to see the Tulane/Oregon State game. It was a pretty good game with good defense and the outcome in doubt to the very end.
I happened to be sitting next the crowd from Tulane. Let me set this up. The left field line is 332 feet from home plate. I was in Section T, Row 20. The Tulane group is in the next section (Section U) farther away from home plate. The section is on the third base side almost to the left field line, 332 feet away. Plus, there is a guy sitting up behind my left shoulder probably another 10 rows or so. So, in other words, he's a loooooong way from home plate. Obviously, if you know baseball, you know that the home plate umpire is directly behind the catcher. Nearly the whole game, especially when it reached a crucial part of the game, this guy behind me would yell at the umpire. First of all, there is no way in this good earth that the umpire could even hear him. Second, the amusing thing was what he was yelling about. Every pitch, "C'mon ump! Give us a break. That wasn't a strike! C'mon blue! Help us out here! AGGGGHHHHHH! I can't believe it, ump!" I made a comment to my wife and son that that guy must have a real tough time at work having to deal with all of those around him who can't understand his, perfect, eagle-eye vision.
We do the same thing. We complain about certain people. They just don't do things right. We just can't believe they would do something that stupid. We stand in left field, not even close to the situation, and we make judgment calls. Jesus talked about that when He said, "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults--unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious ot the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor." (Matthew 7:1-5, The Message) Do you think the Tulane fan in left field would listen to this? Nah. But I can. So can you. Have a great day. JW

Star Wars

How about a little lighter post? I went to see Star Wars III last night. My son warned me about it, but I really wanted to see it. The dialogue was like a high school play. Mr. Lucas, get someone else to do your writing. Just stick to plots. The special effects were really neat and really overwhelming. I guess he decided that if one big star ship was really cool, then ten would be ten times as cool. Not. And if you're going to write a big epic, start with number 1 and work you way up. Don't do 4, 5, 6, and then 1, 2 and 3. After seeing the story at the last, and then seeing the first two plot lines, then it's pretty obvious what's going to happen in the third (last?).
Yoda is still my hero. Any short, green munchkin that can fight like he can has my vote for best actor any day.
Spiritual applications? Well, I guess the main thing would be the choices we make. Faced between good and evil, we make that choice. That's the best I can do with that.
Have fun today. It's Saturday! JW

Be Still

How much time do you spend on hold? Standing in line at the grocery store? Waiting for your spouse to come to the car so you can go to church services? On and on it goes. Don't people know that you are busy. Places to go, people to see. How many times when you ask someone how they are doing do they say, "Busy!" (Usually, that means they're not doing anything. In all my years of life, I've discovered the more that people have to tell you they're busy, they're not.)
BUT, busyness is one of Satan's tools. Too busy to go there, too busy to do that. When's the last time you just sat down with God's word? Nothing to do but read, meditate, study, quiet time. You probably think it would be wonderful to be a preacher because they have enough time to do just that. Read, meditate, study, quiet time. The fact is, at least in my case, I find myself preparing for so many things that I fail to slow down and read, meditate, study, quiet time for me. That's not selfishness, that's a necessity.
There's a reason why God says, "Be still and know that I am God." I used to think that meant be quiet. I think that may be one aspect of it. One time when I was a youth minister, we had a fall hayride, cookout, thing way out in the boonies of Northwest Arkansas. I thought it would be cool to read that verse and then hear the sounds of the night. Right after I read it, the loudest pickup truck in history buzzed by. Kinda messed up the effect.
Remember when your kids were little and they were sitting (allegedly) with you at church and they were fidgeting and talking and moving and embarrassing? You picked them up and firmly placed them on the pew and said, "Be still!" Maybe that's what God is saying to us--"Be still.....and know I am God."
That's when we discover God. In the quietness of the morning. In the calm from the busyness. Finally slowing down with no agenda but to listen to His voice. We need to do it more often. Better yet, we need to do it. Spend some time with God today. You'll be pleasantly surprised. And a peace will come to you that you never knew possible. He's waiting. There's no line. Have a good day! JW

Changed for Good

Went and saw "Wicked" in Chicago last weekend with my son and wife. There's a beautiful song at the end where Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, sings with Glinda (The Good Witch)--By the way, I know I've said this in previous blogs, but "Wicked" is the prequel to the "Wizard of Oz."--Listen to these words and see if they don't remind you of one of your friends.

I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn,
And we are led to those who help us most to grow
If we let them and we help them in return.
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true,
But I know I'm who I am today because I knew you:

Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun.
Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood.
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you I have been changed for good.

It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime,
So let me say before we part
So much of me is made of what I learned from you,
You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart,
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend:
Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea,
Like a seed dropped by a skybird in a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you I have been changed for good.

And just to clear the air,
I ask forgiveness for the things I've done you blame me for,
But then, I guess we know there's blame to share
And none of it seems to matter anymore.

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better.
And because I knew you I have been changed for good.

I have to tell you, tears filled my eyes as I typed those words. How many people could I say that to? Thank you for being a part of my life. Aren't those wonderful words? Wouldn't it be wonderful if that's the way people thought of you and me? I thought of Paul and Barnabas, David and Jonathan. I thought of Pat, Bobby, Rodney, Martha, and others in my life. Take some time today to thank those who have changed you for good. Have a great day. JW

Kids

Sixteen babies! We dedicated sixteen babies at our congregation a couple of weeks ago. I was telling a young lady about that not too long ago and she graciously told me she didn't want to place membership at our congregation because she was afraid to drink the water. She wasn't ready to have a child yet.
There are several ways to grow a church. One is to teach people about Jesus. Another is to have people move into your area (that's really swelling, not growing). Then there's the "have babies" option. Now we just need to get all of the parents to sign a "can't move" contract.
But as I looked at those precious kids, I couldn't help but wonder which ones would stay faithful. Which ones would be wonderful servants? What would they grow up to be? How had they and would they change the lives of their parents? I appreciated one of our shepherds getting emotional as he prayed for these wonderful, precious, innocent lives. Jesus said that they kingdom of heaven was like those little children. I believe it.
I loved it when our congregation stood in affirmation. We stood telling those parents and those children that we would be there. We would teach them in Bible class, we would tell on them when they weren't doing what they should, we would love them almost as much as their mom and dad. It won't be long before they are climbing up on the podium and looking out from inside the plexiglass pulpit. Soon they'll be sprinting down the halls. It won't be long until their teeth come in, then they start loosing them. Then it won't be long before they are standing up with their future spouse telling the preacher and the witnessing crowd that they pledge to honor them until death parts them. And the cycle starts again. Praise God!
I love it. It takes a village? No. It takes a church. Have a great day! JW

Contentment

There are times when I marvel at God's goodness and workings. I used to wonder about His dealings with me in my life. But for now, I see Him in everything. Perhaps I'll need to be reminded later. Right now, though, I find it extremely fun and gratifying to see Him work in other's lives.
He sat in my office today, calm, content, yet without a job. He is dealing with a couple of serious situations in his life. He has a number of transitions going on in his life. And though the emotions were close to the surface, there was a calmness in his life. He was secure in his thinking knowing that God is in control. Will it always be that way? I don't know, but I hope so. I think he'll be fine.
I see in him really what Paul talks about in Philippians 4:13. "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." We have so misused this verse. We have made it the Zig Ziglar, "I can accomplish anything I put my mind to" verse. Look what Paul is saying. Right before, he says he's learned to be content in any and every circumstance. The verse is about contentment, not self help stuff. That's what I saw in the man whose eyes I looked at today. And I'm glad for him. I think he'll be all right.
Have a great day. JW By the way, be content.

Distractions

I was with my family in Chicago this last weekend and we visited the Shedd Aquarium. I would recommend the trip for anyone for you can see a variety of exotic and un-exotic (is that a word?) fish including sharks, dolphins, tuna, flounder, etc.
The moment that amused me was one early on in the visit. I was standing next to a huge tank filled with a small hammerhead shark, a large tuna--just a large number of fish that you would expect to find in the ocean. People were standing, observing the fish in their natural habitat. Then from the top of the tank enter two fins. All looked up to see the figure of a homo sapien (human, for all of you in Cumberland, MD), dive into the tank. He then took a rag and began cleaning the side of the large aquarium. At which point, people gathered excitedly and began taking pictures. Does anyone see anything weird in all of this?
Here were all of these wonderful fish swimming gracefully in their natural habitat and we (humans) took pictures of another human swimming in an unnatural habitat doing a maintenance job. What's wrong with this picture? We are so easily distracted.
Charles Swindoll tells a wonderful story in his book Laugh Again. A lady's husband dies and she decides to buy a pet to keep her company. The pet store owner sells her a parrot that he insists is a real talker. I'll let him pick it up from here.
"Does it talk?"
"Absolutely. . .a real chatterbox. Everybody who comes in the store is astounded by this parrot's friendly dispostion and wide vocabulary. That's why it's so expensive."
"Sold!" She bought the expensive parrot and hauled it home in a large, elegant cage. At last she had a companion she could talk to, who could answer back. Perfect!
But there was a problem. A full week passed without the bird's saying one word. Beginning to worry, she dropped by the pet shop.
"How's the parrot doing? Quite a talker, huh?"
"Not one word. I haven't been able to get a sound out of that bird. I'm worried!"
"Well, did you buy a mirror when you got the parrot and the cage last week?"
"Mirror? No. There's no mirror in the cage."
"That's your problem. A parrot needs a mirror. It's funny, but while looking at itself, a parrot starts to feel comfortable. In no time it will begin to talk." So she bought the mirror and put it into the cage.
Time passed, still nothing. Each day the woman talked to the bird, but not a peep came out of its beak. For hours on end she would talk as the parrot stared in silence. Another week passed without a word. By now she was really getting worried.
"The parrot isn't talking," she told the pet store owner. "I'm worried. All that money, the mirror--and still nothing."
"Say, did you buy a ladder when you got the cage?"
"A ladder? No. I didn't know it needed a ladder. Will that make it talk?"
"Works like a charm. The parrot will look in the mirror and get a little exercise, climbing up and down this ladder several times. Before long you won't believe what you hear. Trust me, you need the ladder."
She bought the ladder and put it into the cage next to the mirror. . .and waited. Another seven, eight days, still nothing. By now her worry was approaching the panic stage. "Why doesn't it talk?" That was all she could think about. She returned to the store in tears. . .with the same complaint.
"Did you buy a swing?"
"A swing! No. I have the cage, a mirror, and a ladder--I thought I had everything. I had no idea I needed a swing."
"Ya gotta have a swing. A parrot needs to feel completely at home. It glances in the mirror, takes a stroll up and down the ladder, and before long it's on the swing enjoying itself--and bingo! I've found that parrots usually talk when they are perched on a swing."
The woman bought the swing. She attached it to the top of the cage near the ladder and coaxed the parrot up the ladder and onto the swing. Stilll, absolute silence. For another ten days not one sound came from the cage.
Suddenly she came bursting into the pet store, really steaming. The owner met her at the counter.
"Hey, how's the parrot? I'll bet--"
"It died! My expensive bird is dead in the bottom of the cage."
"Well, I can't believe that. I'm just shocked. Did it ever say anything at all?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, it did. As it lay there taking its last few breaths, it said very faintly, 'Don't they have any food down at that store?'"
Isn't that just like us? We get distracted so easily. Like the human in the fish tank, we missed what was really going on. Paul said it a couple of times. In Hebrews, he said for us to "fix our eyes on Jesus." In II Corinthians 4 Paul said, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen." Fixing our eyes. Not being distracted. I believe that's the same thing Paul is saying in Philippians when we tells us to forget the things in the past and press on. He's basically saying for us not to be distracted.
What's distracting you? Don't look at the human cleaning the windows. See God's enduring beauty in everything. Have a great day. JW

How's Life?

Things die. That's just a fact of life. Interesting contrast, isn't it? A fact of life is that things die. I'm looking at a plant in my office right now that is desperately in need of water. I've effectively killed it. Programs die. Plants die. Pets die. Dreams die. People die.
I don't mean this to sound pessimistic. In fact, far from it. I've just visited with someone who had someone very close to them die and then a relative is perhaps standing at death's door as we speak. There was terror in his voice. A desperation setting in. Difficult times and moments to deal with life. Because life goes on regardless. And the Scripture tells us that we are not to mourn as those who have no hope.
What set me off on this was a news item from Moscow. Police there discovered 4 skeletons in a Moscow apartment. There was an elderly couple, their daughter, and their grandaughter, born respectively in 1912, 1914, 1942, and 1971. When did they die? No one really knows except they found a 1997 calendar. There was food in the refrigerator dated to 2003. It had been two years since utility bills had been paid and the last time anyone had seen any of the family was 2003. Comments were made such as, "Honestly, we couldn't understand whether the smell was coming from the apartment or from our basement." and "We thought they'd gone away to a monastery." Where were their friends! Why didn't anyone notice that there was no activity?
When Mom died, she was discovered within the day because someone was coming to check on her. Thank goodness she had friends who were concerned for her. But to go unnoticed for at least two years?
"How's life?" people often ask. Has anyone ever asked you, "How's death?" When I die (and yes, it's coming), I want people to notice. For the way to die is to live a good life. When that happens, the transition is so much easier. Death is not the end, it is the continuation of eternity that started with our relationsihp with God.
Perhaps I've rambled today. But I cannot fathom an isolated life. Let's strive to make an impact. Let's make sure we have those arm in arm with us to assist in this journey of life. And when it's all over, maybe we can ask, "How's death?" JW

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Those of you who read my blog know that I am a frequent visitor to Starbucks. I know it's expensive, but there's a reason for my visits. When I walk in, they say, "Venti no-water chai?" I'm not a coffee drinker, but I do like my chai. Depending on who's there, they even call me by name and write my name on the cup. For a while there was a girl there (bartista, as they call themselves) who would say, "Good morning, Bob!" I don't know, I guess I look like a Bob. But my point is, they know me, they know what I like, and they're friendly.
Several years ago I was asked to speak at a youth retreat. My topic was to be "The Church as Cheers." You probably remember the popular sitcom "Cheers" set in a bar. Like everything else on TV, it was not a true depiction of what bars are really like, but that's another story. Now remember, this was the topic given to me. I did not choose it. The first words out of my mouth were that I was uncomfortable comparing the Lord's church to a bar. But I began by saying I had a song to sing and I wanted the young people to sing with me if they knew the words. I started singing, "Making your way in the world today takes everything you got..." That was it, the kids picked up and sang the whole song. "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came...." I was excoriated by some youth minister who couldn't believe that I would compare the church that his Savior died for to a bar. THAT WAS THE TOPIC GIVEN TO ME!!!! I digress again.
But the point is, don't we like to go where people know us? Don't we like to go places where we are accepted without judgement? Don't we like to go where people love us and call us by name? No wonder we're having a hard time filling the assemblies on Sunday mornings. We come in, sit down, drink some juice, eat some crackers, sing some songs, stare straight ahead, and beat the Baptists to the restaurant if the preacher doesn't preach too long. Whatever happened to community? Family? Whatever happened to koinonia? Fellowship, sharing. The synagogue was the community center of the Jewish culture. It was where education took place. It was where youngsters learned to read. It was where they were taught how to act. It was where everybody knew their name.
I attended the Crossroads Church of Christ in Gainesville, Florida years ago on a Wednesday night. (Yes, the very Crossroads that began "the movement") An hour after services were over (Amen was said, I heard it) almost everyone was still there. They were talking and hugging and smiling. They were glad to see each other. It was hump day and they needed encouraging. That's what church is supposed to be!
Brethren, let's work at making our assemblies inviting. Let's see that there is a place for everyone. Let's make sure that above all, Jesus is invited and is an honored guest. Maybe we ought to call out everybody's name as they walk in the auditorium. "Norm!!" Ah, maybe not. Have a great day! JW

What Love Is

As he wheeled her out of the auditorium Sunday, he stopped to tell me something I didn't know. "We celebrated just our 67th anniversary this week." That's exactly the way he said it with the emphasis on just. It was as if to say there's more years coming. I smiled at her and said, "Are you willing to go another 67?" She smiled and nodded. That's really the most communication you can get out of her. He takes care of her. Brings her to services every Sunday. She can't really talk much. She's in a wheelchair and he dresses her, feeds her, just takes care of her. His health is not that great, but he's all about her.
I get a little tired when I read about Britanny and Kevin, Demi and Ashton, Jessica and Nick, Brad and Angelina. These relationships are destined for failure. The commitments they make to each other are shaky at best. They say they love each other, but they really don't understand love. Elmer and Lucy do. Elmer has told me of some of the things they've been through. It's been tough times and it continues to be tough. But he loves her. . .and she loves him. . .deeply. That's what love is all about. It's about taking care of each other.
So if you don't mind, I'll try to pattern my marriage after Elmer and Lucy rather than the others. It works. They are an inspiration to us all. Happy Anniversary Elmer and Lucy! May you enjoy many, many more together. Have a great day! JW

Blue Skies and Rainbows

We live in a huge country. I know, I drove half of it last week. My friends were moving to California and I volunteered to help drive. From Omaha, Nebraska to American Canyon, California is 1634.7 miles. Beginning on Wednesday and finishing on Friday, I saw some of the most beautiful parts of the country. Now I've been to the arm pits of this country. (I won't tell you where those are because I might offend some of the people in Cumberland, Maryland. Oops!) But the mountains, the valleys, the rainstorms, the Great Salt Lake, the Bonneville Salt Flats, the vistas were just breathtaking.
So what do you do while you drive? Well, if you have a six-year-old riding with you, you sing. Her favorite song was Blue Skies and Rainbows. I tried to get her to sing Home on the Range (see yesterday's blog), but she didn't know the words. Blue Skies and Rainbows was the best we could do, and it was a good song to sing anyway. So traveling down the road we're singing at the top of our lungs, "Tall mountains, green valleys, the beauty that surrounds me all make me aware of the One who made it all." At that very moment we were driving through a green valley surrounded by tall mountains with flowers and green all around us. Indeed, it made me aware of the One who did make it all.
I remember sitting in a hotel room in Salt Lake City back in 1997 looking down the beautiful range of the Rockies. The mountains were unbelievable in their majesty. Solid and permanent. I was reading from the Psalms when I came across these words, "The mountains melt like wax before the Lord." The One who made them could also melt them like wax. That same Psalm begins with these words, "The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad." Wow! The Lord reigns. I am glad! Have a great day! JW

P.S. By the way, I also saw a rainbow while driving down the road. . .a double rainbow. Blue skies. The writer must have driven the same highway as I was when he wrote that song. I'll never look at the song in the same way again.

Home on the Range

I drove through the range this week. And I sang out loud these words, "Home, home on the range. Where the deer and the antelope play. Where seldom is heard a discouraging word. And the skies are not cloudy all day." I have to tell you, these are words of a person where the glass is half full. I saw lots of antelope (and I guess they were playing). I heard discouraging words (Are we there yet? How many more miles?--That'll be another blog telling you about that). It rained and there were clouds. And I wasn't riding a horse nor in a covered wagon, there were McDonald's everywhere, and it took three days, not months to get there.
I have gained a new appreciation of the pioneers who settled this great country. They went West not really knowing what the future held for them. They encountered bad weather, tough times, yet someone was able to sing about positive things. That's an accomplishment. Although I never saw the Ben, Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe Cartright in Nevada, I could appreciate the fact that some real person did at one time venture across those mountains and carved out a life, albeit a tough one.
And I complain because there's not enough hot water. Paul said, "I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." (Peterson's, The Message).
Thank you, Lord for what I have. Forgive me for complaining, moaning, griping, etc. Everybody sing, "Where seldom is heard a discouraging word, and the skies are not cloudy all day...." JW