Go For It!

My Struggle With The Black Dog

2011-06-29T05:33:00.000-07:00

I'm writing from a top bunk in The Eagles Nest at an incredible and beloved place... Falls Creek... the largest Youth encampment in the world... a place where the exchange of death for life is a regular occurrence. It is also a place of renewal.

I am awake because I am pondering the question our wise Youth Minister, Mike Duncan, laid on us before calling it a day. After showing a dramatic video inactment of a timeless illustration, he asked, "What is your cage?" Great question.

I don't like to think of myself as being caged, but the reality is that I have been for now over three years. It's not that I've wanted to be caged. I didn't just say one day, "I think today would be a good day to be caged." Honestly, I hadn't thought about my condition in terms of being caged... until tonight.

My cage (the thing that has immobilized me, tormented me, bled out my joy, and provoked me to doubt everything but salvation) has been what Churchill referred to as "The Black Dog" of depression. There... I said it! Big D has been doing a number on me. If you're reading this, and now think less of a pastor whose confession is suddenly transparent, I pity you. I didn't go looking for the Black Dog, it tracked me down and, like a wolf circling its prey, pounced on me at the most opportune time.

It has been dark where I have been, but I am glad to say that I'm emerging from the darkness. I probably still have a ways to go, but I am rattling the cage! Christ in me, the hope if Glory, is my strength.

I do not know what the future holds for me or for the good people that call me pastor, but I do know Who holds our future. A because of Him, I can now see the Black Dog beginning to tuck his tail and hear his growl being replaced by a whimper.

Trust and Obey

2010-12-22T12:35:00.000-08:00

“Faith that is sure of itself is not faith; faith that is sure of God is the only faith there is.” ~Oswald Chambers

I wonder how many times we (Christians) have missed out on what God is doing because the timing seemed to be off or the circumstances seemed to be wrong? This isn’t anything new. Throughout history God has called His people to follow Him and seldom, if ever, has the “timing” and/or “circumstances” seemed favorable.

God called Noah to build an ark and told him a flood was coming… during a time in which it had NEVER rained! Noah obeyed even though it meant he would be greatly misunderstood and heavily criticized and the result was he and his family was saved.

God called Abram to leave his family and land to follow Him… without revealing to him any details. Abram followed God not knowing where, believed God not knowing how, and waited on God not knowing when. In doing so he became the father of a great nation.

God called Joshua to lead the armies of Israel against Jericho but outlined a CRAZY battle plan… march around the city a prescribed number of times and at a certain time the priests would blow on trumpets and the people would shout and the walls would fall down. They did as they were told and tasted the victory.

God sent word to Mary (read 14 year old girl who was not married and had never been with a man) telling her she had been chosen to conceive and give birth to the Son of God. Talk about inconvenient! Yet she responded with faith and the rest is HIStory

I could go on, but these great and true stories are sufficient to remind us that God’s call will very often come at a time that SEEMS inconvenient for us and may not make any sense to us. However, this shouldn’t surprise us. God consistently calls His people to do things that can only be accomplished with His power and provision, thus He alone gets ALL of the glory.

God is always on the move. And... He is leading us (Christians) outside ourselves and into a community of people whom He is seeking to save. The details are few and much of what is happening doesn’t make sense (humanly speaking). Let us not allow these minor issues to prevent us from living and moving by faith. Let us pray and seek wisdom from God and let us obey… even if it means we don’t know where, when, or how.

More Than Maintenance

2010-09-14T06:45:00.000-07:00

The call to follow Jesus is about so much more than just being a good church member, which usually is interpreted to mean show up for meetings, give money, and serve in some capacity (give time) inside the walls of a building. Truth is… a person can do all of these things WITHOUT following Jesus anywhere! Among other things, following Jesus will result in “fishing for men” (Matthew 4:19). Yet, we are told that 95% of the people who claim Christ as Savior will NEVER share Him with even one person. If this is true, there are many people who may good at “doing church” but they are not following Jesus. And this is unfortunate, for those individuals, and for the people whom they rub shoulders with.

While it is good that we gather to worship, give tithes and offerings, and serve in maintenance rolls within the organization of the church, we must realize following Christ is a 24-7 lifestyle. Sunday service is good, but what about the other six days of each week? Studying the Bible on Sunday is fantastic… unless it ends there. Teaching a lesson on Sunday is noble… unless it ends there. Preaching a sermon on Sunday is helpful… unless it ends there. God help us to shake loose from the self imposed ties that bind us and restrict us from fully following Jesus!!

Think with me for just a moment… when was the last time you even gave serious consideration to doing what Jesus would do during your days AWAY from the church building? Who is the last person you even ATTEMPTED to present Christ to? When was the last time you actually MINISTERED to someone in Jesus’ name? Now contrast those questions with these… When was the last time you complained because things at the “church building” aren’t going the way you think they should? When was the last time you gathered in a group of 2-3 or more and voiced you disapproval over the “performance”, or lack there of, of a pastor, Sunday school teacher, or deacon? When was the last time you were offended because someone didn’t do for you, or for one of your friends, what you think he or she should have done?

Friends… my goal isn’t to offend you but to inspire you. We (all who know Christ) have been called to follow Jesus… to do as He would do, go where He would go, say what He would say, love as HE would love, and give as He would give. Following Him will require us to risk being uncomfortable, being criticized, and being misunderstood. Such was the way of Jesus and such should be the way of all who claim to know Him.

Make Sure It's Really in the BOOK!!

2010-06-15T08:44:00.000-07:00

For most Baptist Christians, the battle cry goes something like this… “WE DO EVERYTHING by the Word of God! The New Testament is our guide for faith and practice! We live… and die… by this Book!” To which I would pose the question… “Really”?

Now before you say the word (heretic) think about my question. If you honestly spend time searching God’s Word for most of the common practices in conventional churches you will rarely find any of them. In fact, if you spend time tracing the history of most of our practices, you will soon discover that most of our religious habits are man-made choices. In fact, you’re likely to discern a pattern about the way that we “do things” in the church these days: If we do it, it’s probably not in the Bible as one of the practices of the early church.1

The truth is that MOST of what we do and call “church” has no precedent in Scripture, but has rather been brought in from culture. This in and of itself doesn’t make our practices wrong, but we must discerningly sort out those cultural influences that contribute to the integrity of Christian worship from those that detract from it.2 Our goal must be to be true to HIS plan so that we may become the people He desires us to be and that the church may be all she is called to be.

So what should we take away from this?

1. We should admit that much of what we have come to value as “the church” may not be all that important. Let’s be honest… much of what we value in our “church” is more about our comfort and care than about God’s cause and commands.

2. We should expect spiritual transformation (discipleship) to be occurring in our lives and in the lives of those we fellowship with. Being together (church) is not about membership and service to members, but rather it is about serving Christ (doing what matters to Him) together and becoming more like him in the process.

3. We should realize that most, if not all, of the excuses some church members use for not gathering/serving have very little, if any Biblical precedent. Every person who has surrendered to Christ follows Christ. The term “inactive member” is an oxymoron and cannot be found in God’s Word. If a person is walking with Christ, he/she WILL gather with a group of believers somewhere on a regular basis… whether things (without biblical precedent) go his/her way or not.

If we are going to say, “We live by the Book!” let’s make sure our walking matches are talking and that what we are saying is indeed in the Book.

1. Frank Viloa, Pagan Christianity?
2. Frank Senn, Christian Worship and Its Cultural Setting

Saturday is Coming.

2010-04-23T09:01:00.000-07:00

Note: I do not know the original source of this article, but it speaks to me and I wanted to share it with you.

The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday morning. Perhaps it’s the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it’s the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the garage with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it:

I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know the kind; he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whomever he was talking with something about “a thousand marbles.” I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say.

“Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you’re busy with your job. I’m sure they pay you well but it’s a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. It’s too bad you missed your daughter’s dance recital,” he continued; “Let me tell you something that has helped me keep my own priorities.” And that’s when he began to explain his theory of a “thousand marbles.”

"You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years."

"Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3,900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now, stick with me, Tom, I’m getting to the important part.It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail,” he went on, “and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up 1,000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear."

"Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life.There’s nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight."

Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time.It was nice to meet you Tom. I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. This is a 75 year old man, K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!”

You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. “C’mon honey, I’m taking you and the kids to breakfast.”

“What brought this on?” she asked with a smile.

“Oh, nothing special, it’s just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. And hey, can we stop at a toy store while we’re out? I need to buy some marbles.”

Friend… you don’t have many marbles. So spend them well!

No-Go Showboat

2010-03-08T10:51:00.000-08:00

I came of age in what I call the post muscle car era… the time of unleaded, limited, high priced gasoline. However, at the time my musical heroes were from the previous era… the Beach Boys and Jan and Dean. Songs like 409, Little Deuce Coupe, Shut Down, Drag City, and No-Go Showboat, along with the fact that I had an inbred need for speed, drove me to own and drag some fast (for then) cars. It never really mattered to me how a car looked, but that she delivered when called upon did. One of the cars I best remember was a sleeper built and owned by my dad… a 1972 Duster, brown in color and devoid of chrome and the staccato sound that defined most “fast” cars of that day… a very normal looking, sounding car, until his lead foot would hit the floorboard. Some time, when you have time, ask Brenda about Ivan’s brown car… she remembers too. A no-go showboat she was not.

Well… enough about cars. Let’s think about life… a domain in which plenty of no-go showboats exist. I’m referring to people who are MORE concerned with the showroom (their appearance) than with the warehouse (who they are) and thus cannot respond when called upon to deliver what they’ve advertised. Such were the scribes and Pharisees in Jesus’ day. In appearance they were very impressive, but beneath the carefully constructed and maintained facade they were something all together different. They were no-go showboats… noise but no performance… flash but no dash… hearers of the WORD but not doers. So, Jesus spoke to them about their hypocrisy…

You’re hopeless, you religious scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You’re like manicured grave plots, grass clipped and flowers bright, but six feet down it’s all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you are saints, but beneath your skin you are total frauds (The Message, Matthew 23:27-28).

These men looked good in the showroom but were busted in the warehouse. And Jesus called them out on it. Let us learn, at their expense, a valuable lesson... when we concern ourselves with the WAREHOUSE of life (who we are in Him) the SHOWROOM of life (our appearance) tends to care of itself.

No more No-Go Showboat for me…

It's Not Normal

2010-03-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

Though a believer may speak hateful destructive words, be consumed with bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice, and be hardhearted and unforgiving, it is not normal and should not be accepted as being so. Paul commanded the Ephesian believers to “be renewed in the spirit of your mind… to put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:23-24)” As people who were being renewed, he commanded them to “Let no corrupt talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:29-23).” The clear teaching of Scripture is that those who claim to have been born again can and should be expected to live as one who has been born again. Any behavior that betrays one’s confession shouldn’t be tolerated by that individual or by other believers.

Friends, the words Paul wrote to the Ephesians were not simply words of suggestion. They were, and are, the very words of God. We will either obey them for our own good and the good of others, or we will ignore them to our own shame and the harm of others.

Jesus said the world (people around us) would know that we are His disciples by our love for one another. We must realize the truth of His statement and accept our personal responsibility to walk in love with one another. Sure we will make some mistakes, and there will be times of misunderstanding. But, it is past time for us to stop pointing a finger of blame at the person, or persons, who we think treated us wrongly or didn’t care for us like we think he or she should have and do what Paul told the Ephesians to do… “Forgive one another even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32b).”

God's Word and the People Who Knew Me Best

2010-02-12T06:18:00.000-08:00

I recently participated in a Leadership Greatness workshop in the church I belong to. One of the exercises required me to write down my understanding of God's call on my life. Here's the readers digest version.

My call came right out of Scripture. While there were various verses and passages, none were clearer than Ephesians 4:11-12... it was as though God was saying to me, "My reason for you is this!" My initial reaction was not positive. I pushed back with excuses not unlike those made by Moses. But from that moment forward, I could not get what I thought I had heard out of my mind... "And He gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the equipping of the saints, for he work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ." Was God calling me? If so, what would following His call mean for me and my young family? Could I retain my job at Tinker, or would I have to give that up and depend totally on God to provide for my family? This was not a comfortable time in my life.

After a clear word from God, from His Word, the next thing of importance was the instant confirmation I received from the people in my life who knew me BEST. After 2-3 months of internal wrestling and reasoning with God about what I thought He was saying to me, I finally mustered up the courage to share the story with my wife, who to my surprise said, "I've known for several weeks! And so has our pastor and his wife." I asked her why they hadn't told me and she said, in essence, "Because we didn't want you to think it was our idea." To this day I'm grateful for their godly wisdom.

Once I felt confident enough to make it known publicly, I shared with my church family how God had spoken to me in Scripture and given me confirmation that I indeed heard what I thought I had heard. My pastor then met with me and told me my immediate assignment would be to preach one Sunday night each month. To say I was intimidated would be an understatement... I had dropped out of speech class in high school because I was going to be required to give a speech! And he wanted me to basically give one speech a month! With fear and trembling I preached my first sermon, then another, then another. The rest is history.

There were many more confirmations which I may write about someday. But... none were more important to me than God's Word and the confirmation I received from the people in my life who knew me BEST.

Where Their Name Is Known And We Are Glad They Came

2010-02-10T11:52:00.000-08:00

I never watched it more than a couple of times, but Cheers was very popular with a significant segment of American culture throughout the late 80’s and early 90’s. The show was really about a “small group”… a former pro relief pitcher, an author, a business woman, a homemaker, a politician, an accountant, a mailman, two psychiatrists, and a coach… that met each week for refreshment, relaxation, to chat and to have fun. Though very different, the characters had one thing in common… they each wanted to take a break from the worries of life and go to a place where everybody knew their name and was glad that they came. And so they did… every week they went to a bar where their names were known and each was glad the other came.

There is a lesson we should learn from Cheers… people are lonely and looking for a place where they can be loved. Don’t kid yourself, MOST people go to bars, clubs (Moose, Elks, etc.), casinos, and the like because the members (those who frequent the establishments) know their name and are glad they came. It’s not so much alcohol and gambling as it is fun and friendship that people are longing for. I KNOW! Before coming to Christ, I frequented bars and night clubs (when you catch your breath, read Ephesians 2:1-10) and it was always about belonging. And, I might add, I never had a bad experience among those people, which is something I cannot say about my years among church people. Don’t get me wrong… I’m not condoning a certain lifestyle… I am condemning a certain lifestyle among Christians… specifically acting like it’s all about us. I’m not sure where we got that idea, but I am certain that it WASN’T from Jesus.

My hope and prayer for FBC Woodward in these days, is that very soon, we will be known as the people of God who are in Woodward with Woodward in our hearts. The elitist, country club understanding of church is wobbling on its last leg, a fresh wind is beginning to blow… we are close to being over ourselves and in love with God and people. It won’t be long until we know their names and we are glad they came. And, yes… I’m excited about it! You should be too.

Why I facebook

2010-01-03T07:22:00.000-08:00

I set up a facebook account in the spring of '08, but didn't really do anything with it until early '09. Since then I have become an avid facebooker... some would say I'm addicted. Who knows, I may start an FA group... facebookers anonomous, but don't hold your breath because it won't be anytime soon.

So why do I facebook? I'm glad you asked.

1. Because I can. The technology is available, free of charge, so I use it... hope it remains a free service, but I would probably subscribe for a fee.

2. Family. facebook allows me to stay connected and clued in to my family members who are themselves facebookers. By posting regularly, we share with one another the happenings in each of our lives. It is the next best thing to actually seeing them daily.

3. Friends. I realize, in facebook terms, the word friend has taken on a different connotation. Really, for me a better word would be connections. Although of the 600+ people I'm currently linked to on facebook, probably 90% are people who I know, or have known and who know, or have known me. One of the things I have enjoyed most about facebooking this year is re-connecting with people that I had lost track of... some from as long as 30+ years ago... people who I grew up with, worked with, hung out with at significant times in life, but due to the fact the "life happens" just lost connection with.

4. Fun. For me, facebooking is FUN! I really get a bang from posting out of the "flow" of my life. If something happens to me that I think is funny, sad, crazy, serious, helpful, etc. I post it. I've had more fun reading comments on posts that give people a "laugh on me" than should be legal! Laughter does the heart good, and I'm always glad to help out.

5. Interest. I am genuinely interested in what is going on in other people's lives. I really like reading the status updates of all the people I'm connected with on facebook. But not so much all the games.

6. Influence. I read voraciously and most of what I read provokes me to think. facebook allows me to reach out and "touch" people with what I'm thinking and learning. When I read something, or otherwise have a thought, that "turns my crank" I post it in hope that it will help someone in facebook land. I regularly receive feedback in the form of comments thanking me for timely posts. I don't do what I do for the accolades, but it pleases me to know that the happenings of my life may help others in some small way.

I could say on, but I think you get the point. For me, facebook IS NOT a waste of time. But I do have to manage my addiction, lest it manage me.

Holiday Eating Tips

2009-12-23T08:37:00.000-08:00

This is too good not to share! I wish I would have thought it up, but didn't. I pirated it from Jamey Ragle.

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has10,000 calories in every sip? It's a treat. Enjoy it Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy.Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass.. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's.You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read these tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

"I Never Knew I Could..."

2009-11-17T07:36:00.000-08:00

Alright, I’ll admit it… I watch Dancing with The Stars. Whew! Glad to get that out of my closet. While Bruno is a hoot, and the professional dancers are incredible, what I like best about the show is watching the stars… talented people develop, in most cases, a new skill set. And occasionally a star finds her self.

When this season began, Kelly Osbourne, the daughter of Ozzie and Sharon, was not a person I knew much about, or even cared to know anything about. But as the drama has unfolded, she has become my favorite… I’m pulling for her to win the competition. The high point for me was when she responded to the affirmation of the judges, her partner, and the applause of the crowd with words that caused my eyes to take a shower… “I never knew I could be a lady.” Before the watching eyes of the world, she has discovered what she didn’t know that she didn’t know.

In a way, we are all like Kelly Osbourne. We have dreams, but we do not believe them to be a possibility for us. Or due to heavy doses of discouragement from people close to us, we have simply quit dreaming, thrown up our hands in frustration, and settled for something less than what we could be. What we don’t know that we don’t know is choking the very life out of us.

It doesn’t have to be this way. God created us for a purpose and He desires for us to live up to the potential He has placed within us. To do so we must change. We must allow His Spirit to coach us… to bring out of us the person God desires us to be. My friends, if we will submit ourselves to Him, there will come a day when we will say, “I never knew I could...”

Just Reminiscing...

2009-11-16T11:28:00.000-08:00

She was the second friend that I have memory of. I met her when I was 4 or 5 years old. We lived in the same neighborhood, which was nothing more than a couple of houses on a city block. Though we had played together many times, it wasn't until a hot August day in 1967 that I realized we were the same age.... the first day of first grade.

After a couple of years, her family moved from town to their farm, but our friendship continued. Along with our other classmates, we enjoyed our days as students of Arapaho Public Schools, which all too soon segued to adulthood.

Today I received word that, after a lengthy and courageous battle, Pam Carpenter Cabiness lost her physical life to cancer. Like many of you, I knew she was ill, but didn't realize she was so close to death. I am glad we had been friends, but sad that I didn't talk with her more during the course of her illness.

She leaves behind a husband, two daughters, a son, extended family, and many friends who will no doubt greatly miss her. I can't even imagine the pain they must each feel today. So... as I reminisce I am doing the only thing I can do... I am praying for them. May the God of all comfort hug them close today and in the days and years to come.

Good bye Pam... Godspeed.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-04T06:07:00.001-08:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-28T07:42:00.001-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-21T07:47:00.001-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-07T07:08:00.001-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-23T08:27:00.001-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

Be Careful About What You Assume.

2009-06-10T11:43:00.000-07:00

Recently I have begun to question much of what I formerly assumed. Notice... I said "assumed". Without going into detail, just allow me to say one should be careful what he assumes!

For too long we have wrongly assumed that what we do as a church naturally produces solid Christ followers. Nothing could be farther from the truth! What we have is a generation of people who wrongly assume that church attendance (pew perching) is synonymous with Christ following. In other words... if I do the scheduled events and attend the "services" I must be following Christ. In fact, it's interesting that those who are called to serve call their gatherings "services". Perhaps this should be changed to provide some distinction between fellowship and actual service (ministry).

Here's the rub... could it be that we have placed too much emphasis on the scheduling, programming, and/or structure of our churches and, thereby, become idolaters? If these things (or anything) become more important to us than our relationship (connection) with God, the answer is "Yes".

Maurice Roberts says... "Ecstasy and delight are essential to the believer's soul and they promote sanctification. We are not meant to live without spiritual exhilaration... The believer is in spiritual danger if he allows himself to go for any length of time without tasting the love of Christ... When Christ ceases to fill the heart with satisfaction, our souls will go in silent search of other lovers (The Thought of God)."

It is entirely possible to love the THINGS of the Christ but not THE Christ. It is also possible to love some things that you think are of Christ, but really have little if anything to do with Christ. To do so is to love other lovers.

We need to ask ourselves some serious questions...

Do we love reading God's Word for the sake of knocking out a perscribed number of chapters each day, or for the sake of connecting with Him?
Do we love gathering on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening more for religious purposes than relationship purposes?
Is it more important that we hear a sermon or live a sermon?
Does thinking about doing church differently cause us to feel like we are forsaking the faith of our fathers?
Are we more about protecting our traditions or advancing the Kingdom?

How we answer these questions and others will reveal volumes about our walk with Christ or... lack there of.

Church Goer or Christ Follower?

2009-04-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

“We are good at producing church goers, not so good producing Christ followers.” These are the words of SEBTS Professor of Evangelism Alvin Reid. They are sobering words. They are troubling words. They are accurate words. They are timely words. They are words that we must hear and heed.

While Jesus walked the earth, he called people to “follow” Him. He did not expect them to cloister together in holy huddles, nor did He allow it. He expected them to do what He did, and they did. Just before Jesus ascended to heaven, he told his followers they would receive the Holy Spirit and be His witnesses unto Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the ends of the earth, and they were.

In the New Testament, very little is said about the practice and/or structure of the followers of Christ as a group. Much more is said about their activity as a movement. Yes we are told they gathered with regularity for mutual encouragement, instruction in the Apostles doctrine, the breaking of bread, prayer, and fellowship. But specifics of those gathering aren’t mentioned beyond this.

Has it ever occurred to you that, as one who has trusted Christ Jesus for salvation, you have never “gone” to church a day in your life? In fact, not only have you not “gone” to church, you can’t “go” to church because you “are” the church! As such you are called to follow Him.

These are not crazy words. Nor is this a mere play on words. It is a theological reality. Believers must be the church in the culture. And… to this end, we either follow Christ, or we don’t.

Just a thought… but it changes everything.

www.jdgreear.com

2009-04-03T12:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.jdgreear.com/

Screwtape on the Southern Baptist Convention « Kingdom People

2009-04-02T12:53:00.000-07:00

Screwtape on the Southern Baptist Convention « Kingdom People

Now I'm a Believer!

2009-03-28T18:42:00.000-07:00

Since Monday all the weather men have been forecasting a snow of "Epic" proportions for Northwest Oklahoma. Now I'm Sooner bred, Sooner born and... when I die I'll be Sooner dead. In other words, I've been here a while and usually we get a few inches of snow... maybe 7 or 8" during a good storm, but those guys were saying "Epic" as in "one for the ages"... they were even comparing it to the storm of 1971, which I remember. So being the natural born sceptic I am... I wasn't buying it.

Somewhere around 4:00 am Friday morning it began thundering and lightening illuminated the sky. I continued lightly sleeping and could hear what sounded like sleet striking the windows and metal roof of my house. My immediate thought was, "Yep, I'm still in Oklahoma"... after all, where else can you enjoy an early Spring morning thunderstorm accompanied by sleet? Daylight broke and I noticed my truck was covered with a thin sheet of ice, and light snow was beginning to fall, but I still wasn't buying the whole epic snow storm deal.

The day progressed and enough snow/sleet accumulated on the ground that Brenda, Shane, Ashley, Lacy and Tristen (niece and great-nephew), and Lori Davis (family friend) could sled down the slight incline leading away from our house. By evening it had finally began snowing and appeared, by sunset, that we may get several inches. When I went to bed, around 2:00 am, my scepticism was taking a serious hit.

I slept until 8:00 am (probably would have slept longer but the phone rang). When I finally got up and looked out the door, I was immediately greeted by a 5' snow drift that spanned the entire length of our house! As I gazed down our drive toward the main road, the place where just the day before the family had been sledding, I saw drift after drift after drift.

My truck was surrounded by a drift that was better than bumper high, and since my 4 wheel drive stopped working a day before the storm (how convenient is that?), I knew it was stuck. Our Nitro was sitting in less of a drift, so I thought I might as well try to make it out in it. So, I got in, put er' in 4 wheel drive and planted my right foot flat on the floor board... made it about 50 yards before paring in a snow bank for which I was no match. Later in the day, Brenda and I walked about 3/4 of mile, through knee deep snow (in some places waste deep on Brenda) and caught a ride to Tish's house with Shane, Ash, and Lacy. After shoveling a path to our friend's mail box for her, and hanging out at with the grandkids for a few, Shane let us out at our rendezvous point and we walked back home, this time finding an incredible blessing... someone had brought in a tractor and plowed through the drifts all the way from the road to our house (1,000'). God is good!

As I write, Brenda, Shane, Ash, Lacy and Tristen are sledding down the hill just west of our house. Yes it is 9:15 pm and dark outside. But what can I say? It's not often we get an "Epic" snow storm in Oklahoma.

As for me, well let me just say it like Micky, Mike, Peter, and Davey would say it... "Now I'm a Believer!"

Oklahoma Weather

2009-03-25T07:17:00.001-07:00

I haven't been in the blogging mood for a while, but I found a poem that is worth sharing... very relevant to us who dwell in the land of ever changing weather.

WEATHER REPORT

~BJ Gallagher

"Any day I'm vertical

is a good day"

...that's what I always say.

If you ask me,

"How are you?"

I'll answer, "GREAT!"

because in saying so,

I make it so.

When Life gives me dark clouds and rain,

I appreciate the moisture

that brings a soft curl to my hair.

When Life gives me sunshine,

I gratefully turn my face up

to feel its warmth on my cheeks.

When Life brings fog,

I hug my sweater around me

and give thanks for the cool shroud of mystery

that makes the familiar seem different and intriguing.

When Life brings snow,

I dash outside to catch the first flakes on my tongue,

relishing the icy miracle that is a snowflake.

Life's events and experiences

are like the weather -

they come and go,

no matter what my preference.

So, what the heck?!

I might as well decide to enjoy them.

For indeed,

there IS a time for every purpose

under Heaven.

And each season brings its own unique blessings.

A Letter to Jaxx

2009-03-04T12:58:00.000-08:00

Jaxxon Shane Allen... I love your name. Oh how I wish you could have stayed with us, even for just a few minutes, but it wasn't meant to be.

I held your little lifeless body, and I whispered into your ear and told you how I would have expressed my love for you. But oh little Jaxx... how I weep over not being able to gaze into your eyes, or feel your warmth and smell your sweet baby breath.

You would have loved hangin' out with me! I would have held you up close and whispered "Poppy loves little Jaxx"... just like I do with your precious cousins Bree and Jarrett. When you were old enough to understand, I would have spoken these words to you in Donald Duck... just so I could see the odd expression on your face and hear you laugh. As you grew older, I would have begun teaching you to overcome your fears by facing them. We would have started small... I'd lay your on my arm, hold your little chest in the palm of my hand, tell you to hold your arms out like wings and we would have flown around and around the living room. Next I would stand you on my ottoman and teach you to trust me by coaxing you to jump into my arms. Oh little guy... what fun we would have had... grandpa and you.

Jaxx, there was so much I wanted to do with you. Since we didn't get to, I put a few things in your casket with you. I know you don't know they are there, but I do.

An Airplane... since I didn't get to fly you around on my arm, it comforts me to know I gave you your plane.
A 4-Wheeler... I would have gotten a bang out of watching you learn to ride and you would have had so much fun.
A 6-Wheeler with a hay bale... we would have worked together too. I would have taught you to work just like I did your daddy.
1970 Cuda... me, you, and your dad were going to rebuild the 1968 I have in my garage... all I could find was a '70, so I got it for you. We'll go ahead and build the '68 and name it after you.

Little buddy, I'll never play with my other grandchildren without thinking of you. When I take them fishing, or hunting, or anywhere, I'll always include you. I know, you won't be there in body but... you will be in my heart. And... I'll tell them about you, because they would have loved to have known you too.

Jaxx, I would have loved to have told you about Jesus and of His love for you, and it comforts me to know that you are experiencing His presence and know so much more about Him than I could have shared. He will care for you so much better than I could have. And He'll introduce you to your little cousin who is already with Him. Perhaps He'll even fill you in on who I am. And... in just a little while... I'll see you too.

Love,

Grandpa

Don't Lose Your Marbles!

2009-02-25T10:39:00.000-08:00

Note: I do not know the original source of this article, but it speaks to me and I wanted to share it with you.

The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday morning. Perhaps it’s the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it’s the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the garage with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it:

I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know the kind; he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whomever he was talking with something about “a thousand marbles.” I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say.

“Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you’re busy with your job. I’m sure they pay you well but it’s a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. It’s too bad you missed your daughter’s dance recital,” he continued; “Let me tell you something that has helped me keep my own priorities.” And that’s when he began to explain his theory of a “thousand marbles.”

"You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years."

"Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3,900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now, stick with me, Tom, I’m getting to the important part.It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail,” he went on, “and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up 1,000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear."

"Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life.There’s nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight."

Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time.It was nice to meet you Tom. I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. This is a 75 year old man, K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!”

You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. “C’mon honey, I’m taking you and the kids to breakfast.”

“What brought this on?” she asked with a smile.

“Oh, nothing special, it’s just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. And hey, can we stop at a toy store while we’re out? I need to buy some marbles.”

Friend… you don’t have many marbles. So spend them well!

TV Church...

2009-02-22T12:01:00.000-08:00

Brenda and I have both been sick all weekend long, which means neither of us were able to assemble with the believers at FBC Woodward for worship and fellowship. This marks a first for me...in over 1300 Sundays I had not missed a gathering due to illness... until today. Being unable to go today reminded me of how grateful I am to serve with a group of dedicated men who take seriously the command to be instant both in and out of season. Thanks Tony for stepping in with only a few hours notice.

Being home on Sunday morning is not something I am accustomed to. So... I thought I would check out some of the religious programing available to me via Dish Network. Surely with so many channels for my perusal I would be able to find something inspiring to partake of. Man... was I disappointed! There wasn't much offered that was of any real value to me, but there was a little. Feed the Children was looping a valid appeal for financial help to enable them to transport 11 million pound of rice from Taiwan to Malawi... enough to supplement 44 million meals for the hungry children of Malawi. This grabbed me and, once Brenda and I talk it over, we will probably get involved. I also heard a message from Pastor Ed Young Sr. that was both challenging and helpful. What was lacking was fellowship... interaction with living, breathing, Christ loving people.

Over the years I have met many people who are more than content to "get their church on TV". And... though I have always known the fallacy of this position, I now have experienced the deficiency of so called "TV Church". Oh sure... a person can hear some preaching and singing on the Tube, but it is not and cannot be "church". Beyond the obvious, a lack of genuine fellowship and accountability, "TV Church" could be detrimental to healthy spiritual development. What I mean is... with the hodge-podge of theology made available by many so called "TV Preachers" one could become seriously confused and permanently stunted spiritually. Granted, some believers have no alternative, but pity the individual who, by personal preference, gets his or her "church" on the Boob Tube.

I know that since imperfect people make up the church (local body of baptized believers) the church is imperfect, but it remains God's choice of organizations whose purpose is to lead people to love God, love people, and reach the world. And while I certainly did not miss the petty church politics of the religious people, I really missed the sweet fellowship with those who are Christ followers that gather every week @FBC Woodward... the church of which I am a participant... the church to which TV Church cannot hold a candle.

24 with Breeana

2009-02-21T10:50:00.000-08:00

Well... since my gifted and talented daughter gave my blog a face lift, thought I might joy down a recent happening...

Thursday evening Bree came to spend the night with us. After playing on her swing set and in her sand box for an hour or so, jumping a couple of times... this would be her jumping from my ottoman into my lap, and flying a few rounds... this would be her laying on my arm and holding her arms out like wings while I fly her around, she decided she needed to watch a movie on the "puter"... that would be my laptop. I found a DVD of the Backyardigans, but it wouldn't load. Since we didn't have any other suitable movie, I headed to her house to retrieve a Goofy movie... at 10:00 pm mind you. I know... she's got me! She watched all of 10 minutes of the movie and decided to crawl into bed with Brenda, who wasn't feeling well. Once there, she watched some of her shows on the DVR and finally fell asleep around 11:30.

Friday morning we went through the normal routine... she lay on the couch watching her shows and I went to McDonald's to fetch her a McGriddle. Around 10:00 am, Brenda asked her if she was ready to go home and she said, "Nah". At noon I went to Wally World to get some Pepsi and popcorn chicken. We ate and drank and were merry and... she still didn't want to go home! So I took her to the "Church Park"... her name for the playground at church... and she and I spent about an together... her playing and me cherishing the moment and capturing a memory.

From there we headed toward her house with her still not wanting to go home. I assured her that she needed to go see mommy, daddy and brother, but she wasn't buying it. When we didn't turn towards my house at the 4-way stop near the entrance to her neighborhood, she begin to whine... the kid has a better since of direction at 3 years old than many adults do! We arrived at her house to find Scott and Jarrett home alone... Tish had gone shopping. Bree began playing with Jarrett, but quickly said, "I want milk, Daddy... in my special cup". Now... the little stinker knew that her "special cup" was at Nonny and Poppy's house and, when I told her as much, she said, "I know, I go with you to get it." Well... as you have already guessed, I loaded her back into the car and away we went to my house where she promptly laid down beside her Nonny and feel fast asleep.

While Bree spending the night with us has happened several times, the events of Thursday evening and Friday marked a first for us... she absolutely didn't want to leave. I am not sure what was up with that, but I sure enjoyed my 24 with Breeana.

An Afternoon @ Eskimo Slow's

2009-02-03T12:05:00.000-08:00

Monday I traveled with the family to the land where the water runs still... to the city whose inhabitants think everyday is Halloween. Tish and Ashley both had appointments with the best doctor in the country, and since it was a good excuse for some great family hang time, I journeyed along.

First up was Shane and Ashley's visit to the hospital for an ultrasound. Anxious to get a glimpse of baby Allen, Brenda and I, along with Ashley's dad and step-mom squeezed into a tiny room with Shane, Ashley and the tech. After determining several circumferences, looking at the heart and kidneys, and assuring us that baby was developing as should be expected, the obvious came into view... yup, the baby is a BOY! Jaxxon Shane Allen is due to be born July 9th.

From the hospital it was off to eat at Ashley's reasturant of choice... Eskimo Slow's. With a little over an hour until Tish's appointment, we placed our orders. After 20 minutes passed they brought out our cheese fries. Our food finally arrived just after Tish left for her doctor's appointment, and just before Ashley had to leave for her's. Shane and Ashley quickly ate and rushed off to the doctor. Now... since Tish had departed in her vehicle, and Shane and Ashley had to take mine, Brenda and I were left at Slow's (I know it's supposed to be Joe's) with Bree and Jarrett doing just what I went to Stillwater to do... hang out at a college dive with my grandkids and wait for a ride! Like I said earlier... going was a good excuse for some family hang time, but this wasn't what I had in mind. Oh well... a memory was made and an impression was formed... I won't be going back to Eskimo Slow's anytime soon.

Finally, Tish returned from seeing the best doctor in the country, and we loaded up and went to Hobby Blobby (No I didn't forget to use spell check). I sat in the Jeep bonding with Bree and Jarrett while Brenda and Tish did the Lobby thing and then we headed West. Since Wally World was on the way out of town, we stopped in for a few things. Once back in the vehicle Brenda decided a Sonic tea would be good for the road so we headed East... yes all the way back to Perkins Road, purchased our refeshments, entered a heading of 270 (Westward heading) and arrived home at 8:00 pm.

February 2, 2009... it was morning and it was night and all in between was good.

The FATHER Knows Best

2009-02-01T12:27:00.000-08:00

As a pastor, I have been with many a family during times of grief. I have been the bearer of horrible news to families who suffered the unexpected and tragic lose of a loved one, and I have sat with families while they received such news. I have buried still born infants, children, young adults, and older adults. Each time I have felt helpless and very incompetent. I do not think it is possible to ever walk away from such an occasion feeling good.

Last night was no different. For several weeks, Brenda and I have been really excited about the pending arrival our next grandchildren. The thought of Jarrett having a brother or sister, and a cousin, born within 14 months of him, was precious to us. But then the call came. It seemed that Tish was experiencing difficulty... at first some bleeding... later cramps. We both knew what this probably meant. Shortly after arriving at the Boomer basketball game, Tish called and said Scott was taking her to the emergency room. Somewhere around 11:00 pm it was confirmed... Tish had lost their baby and our grandbaby. Present were my feelings of helplessness and incompetence, only this time... the feelings were much more intense. I didn't know what to do other than hug my daughter up real close, so I did.

On the way home from the emergency room I became aggravated at myself... I should have been grieving, but I wasn't. Yes, I was experiencing sorrow... sorrow for Scott and Tish... sorrow that I wouldn't ever see the little baby... at least from this side... but no real grief. If the lose we had just experienced had been Bree or Jarrett, the grief would have been intense... seemingly unbearable. So... since life begins at conception, and since this little baby was just as much a human being as I am, why was I not sensing grief as I would should anyone else in my family die? It wasn't until sometime in the night that I was able to reconcile what had happened with how I was feeling... even though the little baby that had departed the womb to be with the Savior was just as much my grandchild as the other two are, I had never seen it or held it... never kissed it or heard it cry... the emotional bond hadn't yet strongly formed. This doesn't mean I love less, or lost less, it just means I am a human with emotions.

I feel better. Yes I sorrow for my kids who have suffered the loss of life. And... today I think just a little differently about paradise because this is the first of my descendants to make the journey. But I do not sorrow as those who have no hope.

I do not pretend to know why things such as this happen. I rest in knowing that The FATHER Knows Best.

Random Things About Me

2009-01-29T09:57:00.000-08:00

1. I learned to ride a motorcycle (mini-bike) when I was 4 years old and was never without a bike to ride, until the last semester of my Senior year, when I traded my 1975 Mach III Kawasaki for a 1970 Roadrunner. The car was fast, but the bike was crazy fast!

2. While riding my Trail 70 Honda in Arapaho, I was hit by a car. I was in the 4th grade.

3. From year 13 to 14, I made my spending money working for a fur buyer… I skinned opossums, raccoons, beavers, coyotes and bobcats. I quit when my friends began telling me I smelled like the animals I was skinning!

4. I played some mean foosball… can still hit it pretty good!

5. I graduated High School… to most this isn’t anything out of the ordinary, but most who knew me back in the day doubted I would.

6. A lot of people say my wife looks like Sandra Bullock… I think Sandra Bullock looks like my wife! Love you honey!

7. I have built my homes with my own hands.

8. Before becoming a pastor I worked in construction, as a commercial roofer, and on jet engine parts at Tinker Air Force Base. I still miss Tinker… loved being around the airplanes… nothing like watching a detachment of F-14’s ignite the afterburners and go vertical just as the sun is coming up.

9. I am over half way to earning my private pilot certification.

10. Brenda and I have 2 children and almost 4 grandchildren; Tish and her husband Scott, who have two children and one with Jesus, and Shane and his wife Ashley, who have one on the way.

11. I love my wife, my kids and my grandkids.

12. I’m thinking I don’t know myself very well… this is difficult!

13. If given the opportunity, I will eat Mexican food 11 times out of 10.

14. Is there a restaurant other than Chili’s?????

15. I hope to gather a couple of partners and buy an airplane.

16. I am amazed that God would give His Son for me… while I was yet a sinner!

17. If broccoli grew on a tree, it would have been on the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden (I don't think it was intended to be eaten).

18. I get to work everyday with some great guys and gals. Thanks gang!

19. Salsa is a beverage.

20. Other than home with Brenda, my favorite places to be are… anywhere with my kids and grandkids; a beach with white sand and clear salt water; at our place on Lake Eufaula; in the cockpit of an airplane.

21. 50 pounds and 25 years ago, I could dunk a basketball… yeah, the white boy could jump a little!

22. I miss the days when our children were small and we lived in Paden, OK. Times were difficult, we always had more bills than money but… life was fun.

23. I dream of FBC Woodward really reaching the world from Woodward, OK.

24. I try to do something everyday that I haven’t done before. When was the last time you did something for the first time?

25. Whew!!! Last but not least… I look forward to Brenda watching me grow old.

Things I've Done

2009-01-26T17:19:00.000-08:00

Here is a list that someone created and you must copy and paste the list below into your own post, and then make bold (and/or italicize) all the things you have done.Here we go:

Started your own blog
Slept under the stars
Driven a stockcar
Played in a band
Visited Hawaii
Watched a meteor shower
Given more than you can afford to charity
Been to Disneyland/world
Climbed a mountain
Held a praying mantis
Sang a solo
Bungee jumped
Wrecked a motorcycle
Visited Paris
Watched a lightning storm at sea
Taught yourself an art from scratch
Adopted a child
Had food poisoning
Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
Seen the Mona Lisa in France
Slept on an overnight train
Had a pillow fight
Hitchhiked
Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
Built a snow fort
Held a lamb
Gone skinny dipping
Been to a Broadway show in NY
Ran a Marathon
Been in three states at once
Ridden in a gondola in Venice
Seen a total eclipse
Watched a sunrise or sunset
Hit a home run
Been on a Cruise
Seen Niagra Falls in Person
Visited the birthplace of your Ancestors
Seen an Amish community
Taught yourself a new language
Had enough money to be truly satisfied
Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
Gone rock climbing
Seen Michelangelo’s David
Sung karaoke
Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
Piloted an airplane
Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
Visited Africa
Walked on a beach by moonlight
Been transported in an ambulance
Had your portrait painted
Gone deep sea fishing
Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
Kissed in the rain
Played in the mud
Been to Grace Kelley’s grave in Monaco
Gone to a drive-in theater
Been in a movie
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Taken a martial arts class
Swam in the Mediterranean Sea
Visited Russia
Served at a soup kitchen
Sold Girl Scout cookies
Gone whale watching
Gotten flowers for no reason
Donated blood, platelets or plasma
Gone sky diving
Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp Museum
Bounced a check
Saved a favorite childhood toy
Visited the Lincoln Memorial
Eaten Caviar
Pieced a quilt
Stood in Times Square
Toured the Everglades
Been fired from a job
Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
Broken a bone
Been on a speeding motorcycle
Seen the Grand Canyon in person
Published a book
Visited the Vatcan
Bought a brand new car
Walked in Jerusalem
Had your picture in the newspaper
Read the entire Bible
Visited the White House
Killed and prepared my own meat
Had chickenpox
Saved someone’s life
Sat on a jury
Met someone famous
Joined a book club
Lost a loved one
Had a baby
Seen the Alamo in person
Swam in the Great Salt Lake
Been involved in a law suit
Owned a cell phone
Been stung by a bee

I tag anyone who wants to do this.

Thump - Thump

2009-01-23T11:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I took the afternoon off and Brenda and I drove to Cheyenne to help my mom move her motor-home to Weatherford. Due to minor difficulty, a trip that should have taken about an hour and a half took a little over three hours. We rolled into town just as darkness engulfed us, leveled the vehicle and hooked it up to electric and water. After a brief dinner break at a place called Vinicio's (I think that's an Italian name, but the Mexican food wasn't bad) it was off to Wal Mart and then back to the RV park where I tied up some details and headed home.

Somewhere south of Thomas, Brenda's phone rang. Unbeknownst to me Shane and Ashley had rented a device to detect and listen to the heart beat of their growing baby, and they were calling us to let us listen. So... as we spead through the dark West Oklahoma night, we were blessed to hear the thump-thump... thump-thump of grandbaby #3 via a wireless connection. What a time to be living!

God is GOOD!

Crazy Love

2009-01-22T09:28:00.000-08:00

Lately, I have had a blast re-connecting with old friends on Facebook. I know... 99% of Facebook users were probably born after 1980, so I am definitely in the minority here. But my generation is catching on.

This morning I met one of my old friends for breakfast at United. He lives in Yukon, but comes to Woodward once a month on business... and has the entire time I've lived here. This I never knew, and probably would have never known, had it not been for Facebook.

The times have changed... but more importantly I have changed, and so has my friend. When Darren and I left Arapaho High School we threw caution to the wind and lived fast and hard. Back then our conversation would have consisted of something quite different than our conversation this morning. Today we discussed, of all things a book! That's right... "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan.

Friends... today I rejoice in the fact that I have been arrested by God's "crazy love" and... so has my friend!

Limited View

2009-01-21T06:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday afternoon I completed yet another step of the journey toward becoming certified as a private pilot. Upon leveling off at an altitude of 3500 ft, Randy (my instructor) handed me a view limiting device which I slipped on over my glasses. Up until this moment I had been trained to navigate by the horizon, but now my view was literally limited to a set of gages directly in front of me. For the next 30 minutes Randy instructed me to perform turns to various coordinates by trusting nothing but the gages. There were times when it seemed as though the gages were lying to me... my mind literally was in conflict with what the gages were reading... I was experiencing spatial disorientation. But since I know the gages do not lie, I trusted them rather than my own deceived intuitions. Friends, this brought a new meaning to the phrase... "Living by faith instead of sight."

In a very real since, we live out life under a view limiting device. Many times along the journey, we come to a places of uncertainty and we aren't sure which way to go, or what to do next.... we become spiritually disoriented. These are critical moments because the decisions we make here affect our destiny. Our tendency is to go with our gut, but doing so could be disastrous. There is a different way... a way that is safe and sure.

Proverbs 3:5-6... Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not to your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your ways.

Today, while you journey, you may loose your way. You will know what to do, but your intuition will challenge you to do the opposite. Don't do it! Like properly calibrated avionics, God never lies. Trust Him and enjoy the journey.

I'm Inspired

2009-01-20T07:16:00.000-08:00

I'll admit that I am more than a little weary of hearing all the hoopla over an African American man becoming President of the United States of America. I could care less about the color of a man's skin... I am much more concerned about the content of a man's character. My hope is that Barrack Obama is more than a sauve politician, a passionate orator, and a brilliant campaigner. Time will tell.

Whether a fan of the man, or not, one cannot overlook the fact that his journey is inspiring. His rise to the highest office in the land reminds each of us that America is still the land of opportunity... that in America, if a we make the right decisons and are willing to work hard, we can be what we want to be. Unfortunately, many will settle for far less.

So... today, as I wonder what the outcome of his leadership will mean for America, I applaud him. No doubt little people told him he couldn't do it... that he didn't have what it takes... but he didn't succomb to the doubting discouragers. He must have rather chosen to surround himself with people who shared a common belief... a belief far greater than an African American should be elected... a belief that he espoused a set of ideals that were good for America. Today, because he set and stayed a specific course, he will be given the chance to test his ideals.

As I watch segments of the celebration (probably replays) I will not see a America's first African American President... I will see a man who, because he lives in America, had the opportunity to come out of no where to be President of the United States, and he took it.

I'm inspired.

The Family is Growing!!!!

2008-12-29T12:24:00.000-08:00

I overheard a phone conversation between Brenda and Tish the other day... well at least I heard Brenda's side. It went something like this... "You're pregnant!" followed by "I thought you might be pregnant." Yep folks... the family is growing. The next little Hayes is due to enter the world on Agust 30, 2009.

The discovery has caused Tish to stress just a little... something about the thought of having two little ones in diapers at the same time... go figure. And I'm stressing too... something about Brenda reminding me that we really need to get our house built before next Christmas so we can have ample room for what will be, by then, FOUR grandchildren. To say the least, 2009 will be busy and very intresting.

I am a blessed man... great wife... great kids... great grandkids (not literally)... great life.

Just A LIttle Ditty Before Heading To The City...

2008-12-04T14:11:00.000-08:00

Got a little time before Brenda and I head for the city so I'll post a little ditty...

Thanksgiving week is family time for us... BIG TIME. For many years we have traveled to Paden, Oklahoma and stayed the entire week with Brenda's parents. Over the years the family has grown from a few to several and, this year, Scott, Tish, Bree, Jarrett, Shane, and Ashley were there for the entire week. We had a blast!

The main event at this annual gathering is eating... not just on Thursday, but every day. In my humble, but accurate opinion, there is no better food to be found than that which is found in Cora Nell's Kitchen during Thanksgiving week. I missed out on Sunday and Monday... so I don't know what was on the menu, but I got my fill each of the other days...

Tuesday was Pa's lip smackin' ribs & fixin's with Nan's "to die for" sauce
Wednesday was a crawfish boil... a new tradition started by Andy & Shane
Thurday was traditional dinner complete with the family's famous chicken & noodles
Friday was Bubba Burgers... Jalapeno, Onion, and Regular
Saturday night... another round of Bubba Burgers

Like I said... for us, eating is the main event.

As I reflect on the week and recount the many things I am thankful for, I am reminded once again that I am a blessed man.

Let's Play Tag...

2008-12-04T10:51:00.000-08:00

Dawn tagged me, so play along will you?

1. Link to the person who tagged you.

2. Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-6).

3. Write 6 random things about yourself.

4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.

5. Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.

6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

6 Random Things About Me

I have a serious need for speed... I like to move fast... really fast. I honor the speed limit, but dream about piloting a jet. I guess for now I'll just have to get my kicks @ 110 miles an hour in a Cessna 152.

By nature I am an introverted loner. Over the years I have disciplined my self to "open up" but occassionally I relapse and return to my own little island. Fortunately, the longer I live the less often this happens.

I am a nail biter... a habit I despise but have a difficult time not doing.

I become infuriated when self-righteous people assign motive to me or anyone else.

I use large finger nail clippers to clip skin off of the callouses on my feet... drives Brenda crazy.

I would like to be a flight instructor if, or when, it becomes apparent that I no longer need to be pastoring.

I tag Shane, Ed, Les, and Tyrel

95 Knots With No Lights...

2008-11-18T07:23:00.000-08:00

Well... after taking a few weeks off, largely due to adverse wind and weather conditions, I have resumed my flight training and now have 2.1 hours of night flight in my Pilot Logbook. And I must say... flying at night is one incredible ride! There is just something about piercing the air at 95 knots (109 miles per hour) with no lights.

In many ways flying at night parallels the life of faith. Just as a Christian must live by faith and not by sight, or even feeling, a pilot must fly by the instruments rather than by sight or feeling. If a pilot disregards the instruments, for the sake of his feelings or intuitions, he is inviting catastrophy into his life... literally he is flirting with disaster. Likewise, the Christian who forsakes a life of faith, for a life of feeling, invites less than God's best into his life... literally he is flirting with spiritual disaster.

Well.. enough preaching... back to my story.

Last night I had to do my pre-flight inspection in the dark. Yes I used a small flash light, but even so, the inspection demanded additional dilegence from me. After I had finished, Randy (my instructor) and I buckled up, cranked 'er up, and taxied toward Runway 1-7. After completing a pre-flight run up, setting the heading indicator, and making my call... "West Woodward traffic, Cesna 5453 Mike departing 1-7, West Woodward"... I positioned the aircraft in the center of the runway, firewalled the throttle, lifted off, turned off the landing light, and sped off into the wild black yonder. Exhilarating!

We stayed in the flight pattern for about an hour and did several touch and gos. Since the regulations require a simulated electrical failure, a couple of the approaches were done with no landing light. Up until that moment I had thought 95 knots and no lights was a rush, but I must say, approaching the ground at 70 knots (80 miles per hour) with no lights is even more intensely so. Let me just say this... the ground approaches really, really fast and... you can't see it until you touch it.

I am pleased to say that one of the best landings I have made, to date, was made in dark last night. I am not sure why, but maybe it had something to do with focus. Yea that's it... since it was too dark to see anything that might have otherwise distracted me, I was forced to focus all my attention on the only thing that really mattered at the time... gently flying the plane onto the runway.

In life, too often we are so distracted by the insignificant that we are unable to focus on the significant. In flying, this will take you out... as in get you killed. In life, it may not get you killed, but it will none-the-less take you out.

Oh... there I go... preaching again...

Strange How God Changes Things...

2008-10-31T10:02:00.000-07:00

Okay... so we are pulling into Scott and Tisha's drive way Thursday evening when my phone rings. It's Tish and she says... "Daddy, where are you?" To which I reply, "I am sitting in your drive way." She says... "Oh!" and hangs up. This wasn't all that unusual, nor was walking into the house to find her and Ashley laughing uncontrollably (or were they crying?). What was very unusual was to hear Ashley say... "I think I'm pregnant!"

Tish handed Jarrett to Brenda and she and Ashley dashed to Wal-Mart to purchase a more reliable pregnancy test than the dollar store special Ashley had just used. In a few minutes they were back, and in a few more minutes, Ashley emerged from the bathroom to proclaim that she was sure enough pregnant and her and Brenda embraced for a good cry right there in the hall.

Next it was time to figure out how to break the news to Shane. It didn't take long for the girls to work up a plan... they would place a onesy, a blanket, and a note reading "YOU'RE GOING TO BE A DADDY!" in the bottom of a gift bag and let Bree give it to Shane when he arrived. I called Shane and told him to come immediately to Tisha's house and... after about 30 minutes, he walked in the door and sat down in a child size chair and received the gift from Bree. He pulled the onesy from the bag and then the diaper. Then he looked up to notice Tish had a camera on him and we were all looking at him. He asked Tish why she was videoing him, looked at his mom and then looked back into the gift bag, this time seeing the note. I can't describe what happened next, so I'll just say he was overwhelmed. I'm thankful I didn't miss out on this moment.

In the Summer of 2007, Shane was told that he would never be able to father a child. It was a difficult time for him and Ashley... for all of us. I've probably cried a thousand tears... not for me, but for them. Shortly after learning this, they found out Tish was pregnant again and that two of our neices were pregnant again as well. I watched the two of them handle this difficulty of life probably as well as it it could be handled. I have been proud of them and now I am proud for them.

This morning Shane sent a text to his mom... "Guess what? I'm going to be a dad!" I just had lunch with Brenda, Tish, Bree, Jarrett, and Ashley... couldn't help but notice a glow about Ashley I have never seen before.

Strange how God changes things...

Cherry Peppers and Tator Chips

2008-10-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

In early 1983, while visiting my parents in Arapaho, Brenda developed a craving for cherry peppers and potato chips. I didn't think much about it. We finished our visit and traveled home. One day shortly thereafter, upon arriving home from work, I was greeted with the words "I am pregnant." The cherry peppers and tator chips offered a clue but... I totally missed it.

Honestly, I wasn't real excited about the news. It wasn't that I didn't want another child because I did. The problem was that Brenda had been terribly sick nearly everyday of her first pregnancy, had a very difficult delivery, and I couldn't stand the thought of living out chapter two of that book. But time marched on and Brenda did just fine with the pregnancy.

From early on, we knew this baby would be different, but we didn't know how much different. Unlike Tish, who was rather passive while in the womb, this baby was active and the more he grew the more active he became. I think he nearly kicked us both out of bed a couple of times!

September 9, 1983 was a day like any other day. I went to work and Brenda went for a check up. Neither of us had any idea that this would be the day. My superintendent called the site and told my foreman (father in-law) that Brenda was having a baby and I neeeded to get to the hospital. Long story short... I didn't get to the hospital in time... Brenda had to deliver the baby... alone. I missed the birth of my son!

Since that day I have strived to miss very little of his life. When he was a baby, before he could even walk, I took him places with me... with out a car seat (don't tell any one). One of my fondest memories is of him crawling under the house to be with me while I replumbed our bathroom and kitchen. He couldn't have been more than the age Bree is now and he stayed with it all day long. I remember him learning to ride his bike without training wheels and picking gravel out of his wounded knees when he would wreck, carrying him on my shoulders for 36 holes of golf and getting him sun burned, picking splinters out of his feet and hands, holding him when he was hurt, and taking him deer hunting for the first time. I sat him under a tree, told him not to move until I came back for him, and didn't return for probably two hours... it was 19 degrees and he was only 7 or 8 years old! I know... I was an abusive parent... but he loved it.

During his elementary and middle school years, he and I were attached at the hip. He was more than a son, he was a helper and might I say a dandy helper he was. Like many boys trying to find their way, he drifted during his high school and college years. I didn't handle this well... it hurt. But knowing this transition was necessary, I adjusted accordingly, and welcomed his return.

Last month Shane turned 25... I must have blinked. He's married, has a good job and works hard. He's tough on the outside but tender on the inside, moody, fun loving, likes to laugh, loves it when he can make others laugh, has a need for speed, loves the outdoors, and loves kids... especially Bree and his little fishin' buddy Jarrett. I pray that God will one day bless he and Ashley with a child because he will be one incredible dad.

Looking back, cherry peppers and tator chips were not only a pregnancy clue, but a fairly accurate indicator of the temperament type of the man the baby we were about to have would become. I never would have guessed it.

My Girl

2008-10-29T13:40:00.000-07:00

I decided I might as well GO FOR three in a row...

It hardly seems possible that a little more than 26 years have passed since the cold winter midnight Brenda woke me up to inform me that she was going into labor. Since we had been through a couple of rounds of Braxton Hicks, I told her to wake me up when her contractions got closer. I know... I wasn't real sensitive, but if this was another false alarm, I still had to leave for work at 4:30 am and needed all of the sleep I could get. She was quite patient with my insensitivity and at about 3:30 0r 4:00 she woke me to inform me that this was indeed the real deal. I scurried around, got dressed, and called my boss (my Father In-law who lived just acrossed the street) to inform him that I wouldn't be going to work because Brenda was in LABOR. And then to my dispair, I couldn't find my car keys which, if you know me, you know I always know where my keys are. After searching rather frantically for several minutes, I located them... they were in the car!

We headed for the Shawnee Regional Medical Center... more than likely at a high rate of fuel consumption (over the speed limit). After signing in somewhere around 6:00 am, Brenda was assigned a room in which she would labor, with much pain and great difficulty, until about 2:30 pm... I thought she was going to die! Then it was off to labor and delivery, in came the doctor and out came the baby. Yep... LeTisha Dawn Allen, all 9 pounds of her, was born a little after 3:00 pm.

A few days later, we loaded up the car with our little bundle and headed for our breezy (literally) little house in Paden. I remember holding her and rocking her and not wanting anyone, including the grandma and aunts, to hold her... guess I was a little over protective. She was my girl.

Now she's grown and has a couple of children of her own. Where has time gone? I have watched her transition from a cute little girl to a beautiful woman. I have watched from a distance as she has handled difficulty with grace and maturity well beyond her years and I have observed her handle life's good and easy times with the same grace and maturity. I am a proud dad!

To Scott, she is a loving helpmate; to Bree and Jarrett, she's mommy; to her friends, she is loyal; to her God, she is faithful; to her family, she is special; and to me... well... to me, she's still MY GIRL.

She's Got It All

2008-10-28T13:13:00.001-07:00

Our dads grew up together... her's stayed in in his home town and mine moved to Arapaho. In May of 1979... the day after I graduated from High School... I moved to her town. I first noticed her while sitting at an outside table at the Dairy Boy. She drove up in her dad's Jeep and walked to the window to place her order... time has not diminished the memory of that moment... I can still see her today.

A month of so later, I blew up the engine in my 1970 Road Runner... stayed on the throttle a little too long. The door of my uncle's shop opened up to the town's main drag and one day, while I was in the shop working on my car, her and two or three of her cousins walked in to say hello. Now I had not only seen her... I had talked to her.

Our lives were really on different tracks. She, a junior in high school, was doing what high school girls do... school work, basketball, friends, etc. and I was working long hours and wasting what little time I had off running with a serious party crowd headed no where fast. Really... no one thought we would ever become an item.

A year, maybe longer, passed before fate (providence?) would bring us together. A friend of mine was dating a friend of her's and the two of them decided the two of us needed to go on a double date with them. So... to the Seminole Pizza Hut we went. Thus began our unlikely relationship that has now spanned nearly 28 years.

I know her. Brenda is beautiful inside and out, kind, caring, compassionate, considerate, helpful, funny, fun, faithful, charming, playful, entertaining, talented, organized, smart, industrious... I could go on but perhaps I should just say... she's the BEST PART of us! She loves Scott, Tish, Bree, Jarrett, Shane, and Ashley with an intense, incredible love. She is loyal to her friends, leads the ladies who attend her Sunday school class, longs to help people connect with God, all while enjoying the simple things of life... gardening, mowing, hunting, fishing and camping. She's got it all and she's my wife. I love you honey!

A Hunting We Did Go!

2008-10-27T06:42:00.000-07:00

Okay... so it's been a while since I've posted. In fact, it's been a while since I have even looked at my blog. I clicked on this morning and noticed Tish, Ed, Sherri, and Kara had commented a couple of weeks ago. Here's a late "Thank You" for the encouragement!

For several weeks I have been planning a brief hunting trip with Shane, Tyrel, and Andy (my nephew who lives in Paden, OK). Really they have been planning the trip, I just tagged along. We left town Thursday evening headed for Kaw which is near Newkirk. After stopping by Walmart in Enid to get our groceries, and eating at Taco Bueno, we continued on to our destination and arrived about 10:30. After checking out a couple of camping areas, only to find them a little more occupied than we preferred, we found a good spot just off the beaten path and began setting up camp. Since the grass was high and the sticks and small trees were many, I went to work with a machete and cleared a place for our tent while Shane and Tyrel used their tree saws to clear a spot for us to set our portable table and chairs and carried rocks to build a fire pit. After about an hour or so we had a fire burning and camp was set. We hung out around the fire for another couple of hours and turned in for the night.

Friday morning Shane and Tyrel headed out to do some scouting and I stayed in camp and kept the fire stoked. When they returned I cooked breakfast... bacon and fresh eggs... not much better than this when cooked out in the open. We lazed around awhile and then it was off for more scouting. Andy arrived by late afternoon, Tyrel warmed up some Green Chili Stew (which I highly recommend) that he had cooked up, and we ate until we couldn't eat any more. Evening came, the sun went down, and we sat around the fire telling stories and laughing for several hours before hitting the sack for a few hours sleep.

Saturday morning Shane, Tyrel and Andy headed out before sunrise and I slept till about 7:00am. When they arrived back at camp, I cooked breakfast again and Shane began cooking his famous Gumbo, which we were eating less than an hour and half after we had eaten breakfast. Do you get the idea we like to eat? I packed up about 11:00 am and headed home leaving the camp to the fearless threesome.

As soon as I arrived home I took a hot bath, knowing all the while that it was a day too late to prevent poison ivy. Yep... I got it! But having poison ivy is a small price to pay for the memories that were made and fun that was had. Thanks Shane, Tyrel, and Andy for letting 'Ole Dad hang out with you for a few days. I love you guys!

Oh yea... did I mention that I haven't been on this kind of camping trip for... let's say... 25 years? That's why I Went For It!

Here Goes!!

2008-10-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

After several months of enjoying the blogs of family members and friends I finally decided to give it a try. I don't really know what I am doing... but I am going to Go For It!

Speaking of Going For It... maybe I should begin by blogging about something I have recently gone for. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to fly. But like so many other things in life, flying seemed to be something other people did... not me. So, for too many years I was a victim of what Zig Ziglar refers to as "Stinkin Thinkin". Though I often dreamed about flying, I really couldn't see myself ever actually doing it. I didn't really believe I would ever fly.

In the Spring of 2004, while driving near an airport, I decided I was going to fly. I didn't know how or when it would all work out, but I was going to Go For It! Instead of thinking "I can't" I would think "I can!" First, I bought and read "Your Private Pilot License." Then I went and parked under the flight path of a local airport and watched the planes fly overhead and land. I said to my self... "I will do that!" Like the little train that could... I would!

Saturday morning, September 27, 2008, after doing a couple of touch and goes, my tremendous instructor, Randy Shultz, told me that I didn't need him in the plane. After taxing to a designated place on the airstrip, he told me he had full confidence that I was ready to solo, told me to do a couple of touch and goes and then a full stop landing, and he got out of the plane. I taxied out to runway 1-7, made my call to West Woodward area trafffic, and departed in Cessna 5453 Mike.

It has been over four years since that fateful Spring day decision and many are the circumstances and people that have contributed to my progress. I still have a long ways to go but... I will Go For It!

What have you been dreaming of doing? Read "Get A Life!" by Reggie McNeal and... Go For It!