When you reflect on your immediate past, what do you think? I wonder how many of us can look back at the past decade and think, "Wow! This is as good as it gets!" For the past dozen years, I have been privileged to live and work in Williamsburg, Virginia. I have lived here longer than I have ever lived anywhere in my life. You see, I am a "PK" [preacher's kid] and it was usually "three years and a cloud of dust!" One would think that I would have learned my lesson about preaching, but I am in "my own" forty-fifth year of preaching.
As I drive to my study each morning (a ten mile jaunt), I have the blessed privilege of arriving here several different ways, but without doubt the best way is detouring through "colonial" Williamsburg. This morning I took the detour! Let me tell you about it!
Within five minutes (that's about as long as it takes to take the "detour") I witnessed sleepy-eyed students from the College of William and Mary making their way to that early morning lecture. At the same time, joggers came by on their normal morning routine as they "stay in shape!" As I made the turn onto Boundary Street there was a man power-washing the sidewalks in "colonial" Wiliamsburg. "Power-washing" in the 18th century? Is that not a bit peculiar?
Rounding the corner at Francis Street one knows that he is returning to "a different age!" Historic interpreters, dressed as their forerunners were, are making their way to jobs (gun- making, gardening, serving, and carriage driving) that will allow modern thought take a backseat to historical perspective. Is there anywhere else that one can see beautifully decorated tour buses and ducks drinking from a puddle leftover from last night's storm...all within two minutes? Is there any other place where one can see fifty elementary students dressed in shorts and T-shirts eagerly awaiting someone to step out in colonial garb to tell them "how it was back then?" Three minutes later (if you get caught by a traffic light) be ordering an iced tea from the "golden arches?"
That's what it is like for me to "take the detour" to work each morning! What a community this is!
One more thing. This is like every other village in the country in that we have those who have little good to say about "our town!" They are consumed with modernization, new housing, more traffic, and signs that don't quite meet the specifications. Their disgruntled words can be read each Wednesday and Saturday in our local newspaper (The Virginia Gazette) on the last page called, "The Last Word!" They probably feel better letting others know that they are not happy, so that's all right! The rest of us get a good laugh out of those things that others seem to think will destroy the universe if they are not halted...and halted NOW!
For more than twelve years I have been blessed to live and minister in "our town!" I love it!
I hope you can come by and "take the detour!"
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
What was it you said?
I wonder what it would be like if all of us decided that we would do more listening and less talking? Wow! Now there is a challenge for a world where everyone wants to be heard...and heard NOW! I remember hearing my father say, "God put our tongues behind a cage (teeth - bb) and he intended it to stay there!" Hmmmm. Maybe Dad was on to something! He would add, "He gave us two ears and one mouth which should tell us that God wants us to hear twice as much as we speak." Hmmmm, again.
On the Internet news today I read where folk were criticizing our president for listening to some of the leaders of countries with whom we have not had the best of relationships. It sounded like he had committed a crime of some sort the way it was described. All he was doing was listening, is that so wrong?
Have you ever scolded a child for what you perceived to have been a wrongdoing, but found out later that what you "perceived" was not what really happened? Did you give that child a chance to explain? Did you really listen or just hear some words? There is a big difference between "listening" and "hearing!"
My point is that many misunderstandings could be cleared completely if some would only spend more time listening and less time talking! The New Testament writer, James, said, "My dear brothers, taken note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." [James 1:19] That's good advice!
Today, why not make it a practice to listen carefully to what others are saying before you say your first word? It will catch them by surprise and you might just learn something.
On the Internet news today I read where folk were criticizing our president for listening to some of the leaders of countries with whom we have not had the best of relationships. It sounded like he had committed a crime of some sort the way it was described. All he was doing was listening, is that so wrong?
Have you ever scolded a child for what you perceived to have been a wrongdoing, but found out later that what you "perceived" was not what really happened? Did you give that child a chance to explain? Did you really listen or just hear some words? There is a big difference between "listening" and "hearing!"
My point is that many misunderstandings could be cleared completely if some would only spend more time listening and less time talking! The New Testament writer, James, said, "My dear brothers, taken note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." [James 1:19] That's good advice!
Today, why not make it a practice to listen carefully to what others are saying before you say your first word? It will catch them by surprise and you might just learn something.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Kenny Perry is not an "average" golfer..."
Most of you know that I have had a passion for golf for all my adult life! I began hitting a golf ball around when I was about twelve, played my first round of golf on a "real" golf course with my cousin, Doug Dotson, when I was sixteen, and have been playing now for forty-eight years! I guess, other than living, I have played golf longer than anything else I have ever done!
Yesterday afternoon I watched on television, along with millions of others, the two greatest golfers in the world battle it out in the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia. It was classic! No one could write a script any better! While neither of them won the tournament they made one spectacular shot after another for nearly four hours with only three or four "bad" (?) shots!
As much as I enjoyed the prowess of Mickelson and Woods, I was hoping that Kenny Perry would win it all! Maybe it was the older guy rooting for Perry to become the oldest player ever to win the Masters. Maybe it was because I had read some articles about Perry's relationship with Jesus Christ. Oh, maybe it was because I wanted to see someone beat the best in the world! Regardless of what I wanted, Perry came up short in the "sudden death" playoff.
In an interview that I listened afterwards, Perry hinted that he was not in the same caliber as the "stars" of the game, but was merely an "average" golfer! I wonder how anyone could consider himself "average" when he missed winning golf's greatest prize by one stroke. Perry is not your "average" golfer. Believe me, I know!
There must be a certain sense of reality that takes over when one "almost wins!" Those poorly made shots will be replayed forever in Kenny Perry's mind. Though there were only two or three of them, they will never be forgotten! It will always be, "what might have been!"
One thing that stands out in my mind is that Perry understands that golf is a "game," and in no way compares to "life!" The "almost winner" still has his family, health, and, most of all, his relationship with Jesus Christ. With those things he will always be a winner!
Yesterday afternoon I watched on television, along with millions of others, the two greatest golfers in the world battle it out in the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia. It was classic! No one could write a script any better! While neither of them won the tournament they made one spectacular shot after another for nearly four hours with only three or four "bad" (?) shots!
As much as I enjoyed the prowess of Mickelson and Woods, I was hoping that Kenny Perry would win it all! Maybe it was the older guy rooting for Perry to become the oldest player ever to win the Masters. Maybe it was because I had read some articles about Perry's relationship with Jesus Christ. Oh, maybe it was because I wanted to see someone beat the best in the world! Regardless of what I wanted, Perry came up short in the "sudden death" playoff.
In an interview that I listened afterwards, Perry hinted that he was not in the same caliber as the "stars" of the game, but was merely an "average" golfer! I wonder how anyone could consider himself "average" when he missed winning golf's greatest prize by one stroke. Perry is not your "average" golfer. Believe me, I know!
There must be a certain sense of reality that takes over when one "almost wins!" Those poorly made shots will be replayed forever in Kenny Perry's mind. Though there were only two or three of them, they will never be forgotten! It will always be, "what might have been!"
One thing that stands out in my mind is that Perry understands that golf is a "game," and in no way compares to "life!" The "almost winner" still has his family, health, and, most of all, his relationship with Jesus Christ. With those things he will always be a winner!
Monday, April 6, 2009
"Don't Mess With Mary!"
Last Friday afternoon I had the privilege of helping to celebrate the life of Mary Chapman. Very few of you reading this blog will know who Mary Chapman was because her circle of influence was pretty localized and limited. Let me tell you just a bit about Mary.
Mary was born in southern West Virginia in 1922 and moved to our little town in 1964. She worked several years at our local Eastern States Hospital and befriended hundreds of people who were confined to these quarters. She retired from her employment in 1987, but not from life! Mary was extremely active in our local church family until her health caused her to slow down rapidly. She seldom missed a service with the faithful help of her two daughters.
But the above is not the "real" Mary Chapman story. You see, Mary had a will about her...a very strong will! Mary knew what Mary wanted and very little would deter from accomplishing that which she desired. One young "robber to be" found out that Mary's desire to keep her purse caused him a bit of embarrassment! That's right, when she was 81 years of age, a young man decided that he would steal her purse, but Mary had different ideas! With a very strong voice, she reminded him, "I have a cane for you and I will use it!" The would-be robber fled "purse-less!" He learned quickly that you don't mess with Mary!
Another time we were having a campaign at church in some of the hottest weather imaginable for the month of May. We were hitting the streets to see how we could serve our neighbors! Mary went out the first day (she was now 82 years old) and worked "like a soldier!" I asked her the next day to stay inside where it was cool and her response was short and curt, "No, sir. I am going out with the others!" Like the would-be robber, I did not mess with Mary.
I wonder what makes the difference in people? Is it heredity? Environment? Teaching? Oh, maybe it is a bit of all three! The fact is Mary knew what she wanted and she went out to get it! The amazing thing is that what she "wanted" was not what many others would want...she wanted to do what God wanted her to do! And, you don't mess with that!
I wish all of you could have known Mary Chapman because you would have been a better person for having done so!
I know I am!
Mary was born in southern West Virginia in 1922 and moved to our little town in 1964. She worked several years at our local Eastern States Hospital and befriended hundreds of people who were confined to these quarters. She retired from her employment in 1987, but not from life! Mary was extremely active in our local church family until her health caused her to slow down rapidly. She seldom missed a service with the faithful help of her two daughters.
But the above is not the "real" Mary Chapman story. You see, Mary had a will about her...a very strong will! Mary knew what Mary wanted and very little would deter from accomplishing that which she desired. One young "robber to be" found out that Mary's desire to keep her purse caused him a bit of embarrassment! That's right, when she was 81 years of age, a young man decided that he would steal her purse, but Mary had different ideas! With a very strong voice, she reminded him, "I have a cane for you and I will use it!" The would-be robber fled "purse-less!" He learned quickly that you don't mess with Mary!
Another time we were having a campaign at church in some of the hottest weather imaginable for the month of May. We were hitting the streets to see how we could serve our neighbors! Mary went out the first day (she was now 82 years old) and worked "like a soldier!" I asked her the next day to stay inside where it was cool and her response was short and curt, "No, sir. I am going out with the others!" Like the would-be robber, I did not mess with Mary.
I wonder what makes the difference in people? Is it heredity? Environment? Teaching? Oh, maybe it is a bit of all three! The fact is Mary knew what she wanted and she went out to get it! The amazing thing is that what she "wanted" was not what many others would want...she wanted to do what God wanted her to do! And, you don't mess with that!
I wish all of you could have known Mary Chapman because you would have been a better person for having done so!
I know I am!
Monday, March 23, 2009
"Being God? What's That Like?"
I am wondering this morning what it must be like to be God. When you love everyone equally as much whether they are the "salt of the earth" or absolutely rotten, how does that work? When those that are so unlovable often react better than those who profess "their love for everyone," which do you appreciate more? When some folk perform legalistically every small word of a command and others totally ignore the most obvious, with whom are you the most disturbed? Sometimes it must be tough to be God!
After considering the above for a brief few moments, reality surfaced! I "know" what it is like to be God! That's right, I do not have to wonder because I already know! Let me explain...
I grew up hearing folk say that God came to earth in the "form" of Jesus (seemingly ignoring the fact that Jesus IS God!) to discover what it was like to be human. Now, as a child I was satisfied to accept that premise, but the older I got the more I realized that someone had missed a very, very important point. For God to be God, He had to know everything, right? Therefore, He had to know what it was like to be human without having to "come to this earth," right? Oops, the former premise has serious faults!
The fact is that Jesus did not come to earth to find out what it was like to be human, but he came to show us what it was like to be God! Does that not make more sense? I would never have known what it was like to be God without Jesus' demonstration of "God-likeness!" Someone noted, "Jesus put skin on God!"
This demonstration of being godly was highlighted by Jesus' service to others! Even though many equate being "God-like" with barking out orders for others to perform, it really is being on bended knee cleaning up the messes made by others! The custodian cleaning up some human filth is more like God than the one standing tall and telling others what he wants them to do.
So, as I wrote earlier, I "know" what it is like to be God...it is ministering to others!
After considering the above for a brief few moments, reality surfaced! I "know" what it is like to be God! That's right, I do not have to wonder because I already know! Let me explain...
I grew up hearing folk say that God came to earth in the "form" of Jesus (seemingly ignoring the fact that Jesus IS God!) to discover what it was like to be human. Now, as a child I was satisfied to accept that premise, but the older I got the more I realized that someone had missed a very, very important point. For God to be God, He had to know everything, right? Therefore, He had to know what it was like to be human without having to "come to this earth," right? Oops, the former premise has serious faults!
The fact is that Jesus did not come to earth to find out what it was like to be human, but he came to show us what it was like to be God! Does that not make more sense? I would never have known what it was like to be God without Jesus' demonstration of "God-likeness!" Someone noted, "Jesus put skin on God!"
This demonstration of being godly was highlighted by Jesus' service to others! Even though many equate being "God-like" with barking out orders for others to perform, it really is being on bended knee cleaning up the messes made by others! The custodian cleaning up some human filth is more like God than the one standing tall and telling others what he wants them to do.
So, as I wrote earlier, I "know" what it is like to be God...it is ministering to others!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
"Don't Blame The Ostrich!"
I find adages to be fascinating and enjoy discovering the origins of such. I was wondering a little while ago about the familiar, "Burying your head in the sand." We have all heard this adage and have probably used it to describe someone that deliberately refuses to see the facts in some situation. Often when a person denies that a certain problem exists, someone will chime, "He is just burying his head in the sand!"
The origin of this statement is attributed to the habit of ostriches burying their heads in the sand when an enemy approaches. It is said that they bury their heads because they believe if they cannot see the possible attacker then the attacker cannot see them! Now, that sounds like the practice of a very stupid animal which is the charge leveled against ostriches. It is claimed by some that the brain of an ostrich (and, for the record, all types of birds) is so small they cannot help be mentally challenged. The fact is the exact opposite is true! The brains of aviaries are much larger than other animals' brains when contrasted to the body size of each.
So, why are ostriches given the "credit" for being the source for this adage? It is highly possible that this criticism is attached to them because of their habit of lying on the ground to make themselves inconspicuous to an approaching threat. They do not bury their heads in sand nor in bushes as some suggest! It might come from the way they lower their heads to eat, but when you are shaped like an ostrich you have few other means of eating, right?
My point in today's blog is that many folk, unlike the ostrich, do deny the truth my deliberately concealing it from themselves. It is the old, "ignorance is bliss," mentality! If I don't know what is true then I am not responsible to it! We all know that this is not true! Just because we do not understand the "law of gravity" does not make us immune to its effects, right? Not knowing the speed limit is not an acceptable excuse when approached by a highway officer!
Why do we seem to think that this principle works in other ways? Probably so we do not have to accept the blame for failed efforts. It is this denying of facts that causes marriages to fail, economies to flounder, and countries to be overcome! Not knowing the facts will never excuse poor judgment nor failed attempts!
The same principle applies to our relationship to God's will! Ignorance is no excuse! Since God has revealed His will for us through the Bible, we have no excuse for not knowing what His will is, right? We should make every effort to discover His will for us and, also, make ever effort to share His will with others! Jesus said that it would his word that will judge us in the last day, so there you have it! Ignorance is not bliss!
My friend, keep your head out of the sand so you can see approaching dangers, imperfect examples, and hazardous highways! By doing so, you will be able to see the blessings that come from a life dedicated to God!
The origin of this statement is attributed to the habit of ostriches burying their heads in the sand when an enemy approaches. It is said that they bury their heads because they believe if they cannot see the possible attacker then the attacker cannot see them! Now, that sounds like the practice of a very stupid animal which is the charge leveled against ostriches. It is claimed by some that the brain of an ostrich (and, for the record, all types of birds) is so small they cannot help be mentally challenged. The fact is the exact opposite is true! The brains of aviaries are much larger than other animals' brains when contrasted to the body size of each.
So, why are ostriches given the "credit" for being the source for this adage? It is highly possible that this criticism is attached to them because of their habit of lying on the ground to make themselves inconspicuous to an approaching threat. They do not bury their heads in sand nor in bushes as some suggest! It might come from the way they lower their heads to eat, but when you are shaped like an ostrich you have few other means of eating, right?
My point in today's blog is that many folk, unlike the ostrich, do deny the truth my deliberately concealing it from themselves. It is the old, "ignorance is bliss," mentality! If I don't know what is true then I am not responsible to it! We all know that this is not true! Just because we do not understand the "law of gravity" does not make us immune to its effects, right? Not knowing the speed limit is not an acceptable excuse when approached by a highway officer!
Why do we seem to think that this principle works in other ways? Probably so we do not have to accept the blame for failed efforts. It is this denying of facts that causes marriages to fail, economies to flounder, and countries to be overcome! Not knowing the facts will never excuse poor judgment nor failed attempts!
The same principle applies to our relationship to God's will! Ignorance is no excuse! Since God has revealed His will for us through the Bible, we have no excuse for not knowing what His will is, right? We should make every effort to discover His will for us and, also, make ever effort to share His will with others! Jesus said that it would his word that will judge us in the last day, so there you have it! Ignorance is not bliss!
My friend, keep your head out of the sand so you can see approaching dangers, imperfect examples, and hazardous highways! By doing so, you will be able to see the blessings that come from a life dedicated to God!
Monday, February 23, 2009
"Hey, what about me?"
In every mixed group of people there are always some very, very special ones, right? It could be that older friend who has such wonderful experiences to share with anyone who will listen and who enjoys sharing those same stories over and over again. Or, it could be that young couple who are beginning their marital journey and everything is new, refreshing, and exciting. What of that recent college graduate who is trying to secure her first employment in a market that is not as strong as it should be and she is worried about where this will lead. The list of people who enrich our lives is endless and each one's story is a precious part of our mental library.
There is one group of people that sometimes go overlook...quite unintentionally! Remember, as a child when we were told that we "should be seen and not heard?" That was a pretty tall order for some of us because we always had something to say...maybe not important to everyone, but, at least, to us. It was pretty frustrating to be ignored by all the "big" people around you, wasn't it? I wonder if we learned anything about that feeling of frustration.
I am blessed to have a lot of "kids" around me every week! Nope, I am not a teacher that is surrounded by children six hours a day, but I do get to interact with a lot of neat children two or three times a week...at church! You see, I am "Mr. Bill" to a pretty large (and getting larger) number of little gals and guys. I try to have something to say to each of them each time we meet if it is nothing more than a compliment regarding what they are wearing. (You can always tell when their mother's let them pick out the "uniform of the day!") But, you always tell them how good they look, right?
Last Sunday morning as I was greeting folk as they left the worship time, one little guy got my attention and I began scruffing his hair, calling him by name, and maybe a little tickling in his ribs. He laughed and went on as I spoke to his father, but he returned for another scruffing, tickling and a "How you doing, Elijah?" As I turned to some of the adults who were exiting, I heard a sweet little voice ask, "What about me?" I immediately recognized the voice, but continued greeting the "big" people, but another "Uh...what about me?" was heard. This time a bit more forceful and a bit louder! I turned and looked down and there stood Stephanie, the sweetest and cutest nine-year-old you could ever meet. Again, with a bit of smile, "What about me?" I knew she was waiting on her weekly hug from "Mr. Bill!" So, what was I to do, but hold up the line and give her a squeeze?
I relate this to you because I want you to consider the children of the world! This is a very tough world into which they have been born. Oh, I know their youthful exuberance does not allow them to know how tough things are for us "big" people, but they will find out...find out soon enough! Please, take some deliberate time for the little guys and gals of this world! Let them know that they are loved, important, and a blessing!
I am thinking of the passage in the Bible that says, "...and a little child shall lead them!" I have learned much about life from the "little ones" and some of those lessons have been difficult, but all of them have been valuable!
Remember, Jesus said, "...of such is the kingdom of heaven!" Wow! He never said that about any of us "big" people!
There is one group of people that sometimes go overlook...quite unintentionally! Remember, as a child when we were told that we "should be seen and not heard?" That was a pretty tall order for some of us because we always had something to say...maybe not important to everyone, but, at least, to us. It was pretty frustrating to be ignored by all the "big" people around you, wasn't it? I wonder if we learned anything about that feeling of frustration.
I am blessed to have a lot of "kids" around me every week! Nope, I am not a teacher that is surrounded by children six hours a day, but I do get to interact with a lot of neat children two or three times a week...at church! You see, I am "Mr. Bill" to a pretty large (and getting larger) number of little gals and guys. I try to have something to say to each of them each time we meet if it is nothing more than a compliment regarding what they are wearing. (You can always tell when their mother's let them pick out the "uniform of the day!") But, you always tell them how good they look, right?
Last Sunday morning as I was greeting folk as they left the worship time, one little guy got my attention and I began scruffing his hair, calling him by name, and maybe a little tickling in his ribs. He laughed and went on as I spoke to his father, but he returned for another scruffing, tickling and a "How you doing, Elijah?" As I turned to some of the adults who were exiting, I heard a sweet little voice ask, "What about me?" I immediately recognized the voice, but continued greeting the "big" people, but another "Uh...what about me?" was heard. This time a bit more forceful and a bit louder! I turned and looked down and there stood Stephanie, the sweetest and cutest nine-year-old you could ever meet. Again, with a bit of smile, "What about me?" I knew she was waiting on her weekly hug from "Mr. Bill!" So, what was I to do, but hold up the line and give her a squeeze?
I relate this to you because I want you to consider the children of the world! This is a very tough world into which they have been born. Oh, I know their youthful exuberance does not allow them to know how tough things are for us "big" people, but they will find out...find out soon enough! Please, take some deliberate time for the little guys and gals of this world! Let them know that they are loved, important, and a blessing!
I am thinking of the passage in the Bible that says, "...and a little child shall lead them!" I have learned much about life from the "little ones" and some of those lessons have been difficult, but all of them have been valuable!
Remember, Jesus said, "...of such is the kingdom of heaven!" Wow! He never said that about any of us "big" people!
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