"Times they are a changin'"

Yep, the title of this blog says it all. Times change and with change comes upheaval. Even after teaching about change and how emotionally challenging it may be, I find myself in the throes of a major life change. A friend once spoke about change, advising, "Be kind to yourself. It is difficult. But, give yourself the space to make the change. You'll survive. And, when it's all done, you'll be better for it. So, celebrate the change."

So, here I am. After 20 years of service to Asbury Theological Seminary and 25 years living in that community, I have moved on. I am now the Director of Online Learning and Educational Technology at Christian Brothers University. The pain of uprooting my work life and starting again has been real and surprising. I didn't realize how much history plays into your everyday life. For instance, I developed my own shorthand way of speaking at the previous institution because we all understood what was being discussed. You take shortcuts because of the shared history. We all do that, btw. It's natural. Now, I'm having to learn a whole new language and understanding wrapped up in policies that are unfamiliar in an unfamiliar place. Don't get me wrong. I'm not sorry. This is a great place, a great institution and I'm happy and excited to be here.

All that said, over the next few weeks and months, I'm going to be posting here again. My primary focus will be to describe what has transpired since the previous post. There will be updates, lessons learned, and then getting into both policies and helps that others may find either interesting or helpful to know. The purpose of this blog remains the same: this blog is "a place to gain new ideas regarding online teaching and learning." So, stay with me. Together, this world of online learning will be seen for what it is - a viable means to gain an education.

Technology advances

Longfellow's Christmas

Here's a good Christmas story for you. Charley Longfellow, son of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, felt it was his duty to join the ongoing fight between the North and the South. So, he crept away from home in the night and made it to Washington, D.C. to the recruiting station. No one in his family knew that he had left. The commander of the unit Charley was trying to enlist in wrote to HWL (as Charley called him) for written permission for Charley to join. Permission was granted.

Charley's battle career was not without excitement. While he missed the battle of Gettysburg due to an illness, he did fight in several battles. On November 27, 1863, at the battle of Mine Run, Charley was shot through the left shoulder. The bullet travelled from his left shoulder, grazing the spine and exiting below the right shoulder. Charley was shipped back to Washington, D.C. for surgery and for recuperation.

On December 1, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was eating dinner when a telegram arrived, informing him of Charley's condition. He and his youngest son immediately left for Washington, D.C. to be with Charley, care for him, and hopefully nurse him back to health. Upon arrival to D.C., Charley was examined by surgeons who felt his recovery should be complete, although the bullet grazed his spine, rendering him at least temporarily paralyzed.

During this dreadful time, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the famous poet, looked about him and could only see heartache, disaster, unbelievable grief, and a world gone absolutely wild. Seeking to make sense of it all, Longfellow penned the words of what has become a significant Christmas song, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound the carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn the households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
(Words and story provided by Justin Taylor)

I think Longfellow captured the scenes well. You can almost see those cannons firing, smoke filling the air, screams of hatred and pain intermingled so that neither are distinguishable from the other. In the middle of the chaos, Longfellow wonders if peace and good-will would ever return. In fact, he wondered where God was in all of the horrific pandemonium. Look again at those last three stanzas. Longfellow chronicles death, destruction, division that is capitalized by the strength of the hatred that was prevalent around him - it "mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

There are times today when Longfellow's lines seem to be repeating themselves. San Bernardino, Colorado Springs, Roseburg, OR, Paris, and the list goes on. The beheadings, burning, horrific images that flash across our television and computer screens. The New York Daily News proclaims, "God Isn't Fixing This" after the San Bernardino shootings. While I believe they were mocking Christianity, there is some truth to that statement. God isn't fixing this. You might even agree with Longfellow, "There is no peace on earth for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men."

But let me make the same declaration where Longfellow ended his poem. I firmly believe God is not surprised by what's happening. He is fully aware. His lack of intervention does not mean that He is not aware and that He is not able. One day, He will intervene. In that day, we shall know Him for what He can do. The Psalmist proclaimed, "He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth, he breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; he burns the chariot in the fire. 'Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.' The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold." (Psalm 46:9-11, NASB)

Perhaps Longfellow had Psalm 46 in mind when he wrote the last stanza.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

Friends, God is not dead nor asleep. The wrong shall fail and the right prevail. During this Christmas time, let's not lose sight of our Redeemer, our Lord and our King of all kings.

A Mighty Fortress

Did you know that just a few Sundays ago was Reformation Sunday? Yes, I'm sure you did. That was the Sunday before All Hallows Eve, better known as Halloween. Reformation Sunday is in celebration of Martin Luther's nailing the 95 Theses to the Wittenburg church door. You'll remember Luther was protesting the sale of "indulgences" meant to free the newly departed from purgatory to be released to Heaven. Of course, Luther was right - no one has the ability to forgive sins except God, Himself.

Can you imagine the trepidation Martin Luther felt, the struggles he endured, in writing and then posting those 95 Theses. He had to know this was not going to sit well with the Church fathers. Life was immediately going to get interesting. Talk about throwing the gauntlet down; he was announcing to the Church and to the world at large what he thought was wrong with the Church and how it should be fixed.

I was recently privileged to attend a theological educators conference in Turkey. I must admit, I was a little apprehensive. We were a long way from any of the trouble that's been happening over there, but still my mind found a way to conjure up some of the worst images imaginable of "what could happen" while we were there. I'm not the only one. In a Facebook post, one of the conference attendees from that region tried to calm concern by stating that the troubled areas were really quite far away. He concluded, "Looking forward to our time together even if we share a sense of fear and anxiety we are then feeling united with many of our sisters and brothers in many parts of this troubled world." Wow, thanks for the encouragement. Nothing like throwing fuel on the fire!

The truth is that terrorists are just people who traffic in terrorism. Their whole intent is to produce fear. Sounds like another's view, right? Satan wants to make us afraid. He specializes in it. Just to be clear: I believe there is a devil, Lucifer. He has his own minions whose job it is to work to damn each of us, to dissuade us from following after God. He will do all in his power to drive us from God. If that means making us afraid, he'll do so. He's a master at fear. He is a terrorist, the chief of all terrorists. Fear works.

You may not be stepping into a physically unsafe place, but you may be fearful of your circumstances. You may even be telling yourself that you just can't do the task laid out before you. "What if I fail?" "What if I just can't get my head around that task?" "If I fail, I'm washed out. I'm useless. I can't do what God has called me to."

I don't know what Martin Luther experienced by way of fear. However, if you read one of his best known and beloved hymns, you have to wonder. Listen to these words:

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name, from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours, thru him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
the body they may kill; God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.
(from Hymnsite.)

Friends, whatever battle you are facing, whatever fear is rising, we are the children of THE great King. We can trust Him. We know this, that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8: 37-38 NASB)

He's in the boat

I've been a believer for a very long time. Over these 40 plus years, I have experienced many great things and some not so great. I can look back over my life and see God's hand at work in my life. I can see many blessings and many wonderful things that have come my way. God is truly good ... all the time! In spite of this, there are times when it seemed like I was all alone, like I was waging the war all by myself. Eventually, the battle concludes and I discover I'm not alone, that God was there but I didn't sense His presence during the battle itself.

Have you ever felt that way? Perhaps you do right now, like this thing of serving God is an uphill climb and that you're pulling the weight on your own. You might even be praying, "God, I need your help. Just a little help, that's all. Can't you see I'm struggling here? Please?" You feel no answer. You continue to struggle. You may even be feeling "it" slip away, like you're losing the battle.

Not long ago, I was privileged to hear Dr. Javier Sierra preach. His sermon was about the time when Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee. (It's found in Matthew 8, Mark 4 and Luke 8.) Dr. Sierra did a masterful job of preaching about the calming of the storm. However, I must confess, I got a little derailed by his introduction and I'm still enjoying it. My imagination is somewhat active, so I can picture the scene. It goes something like this:

Jesus has been teaching for quite some time. He's tired, as is the rest of the disciples. "Let's go to the other side of the sea. We can rest over there. Actually, we can rest on the way." Everyone is agreeable. I imagine they don't just pick a boat, that they probably choose one of their own. Again, my overactive imagination picks Peter's boat. Peter says to himself and perhaps a few others, "He's in my boat. He picked MY boat. Jesus is in my boat." Great "victory" and bragging rights, you know?!

So, they set out across the sea. Jesus, quite tired, goes to the back of the boat to get out of everyone's way so he can just relax and promptly falls fast asleep. In the middle of the sea, a storm arises. That's not uncommon, but this time feels frantic. The seasoned sailors try to manage it on their own. Orders are shouted to pull in the sail, bail out the boat, hang onto the lines, "All hands on deck". Yet, Jesus is asleep in the boat. He's there. He's powerful. He can do great things and has so many times already in the past. Yet, he's back there sleeping. What's up with that? Can't he sense that they are in trouble - desperate trouble? Finally, someone stumbles back to him and wakes him up. "Jesus! Hey, Jesus! Wake up, for crying out loud. We're in trouble. Don't you care that we're seconds from disaster. We're losing. Come on, help us!" Jesus stands up, rebukes the storm, and then turns to his disciples and says, "Why are you so afraid? Where's your faith?"

Ah, much can be said about this. I want to leave it at this one point. Jesus is in the boat, but he's asleep. Have you ever felt like He was in the boat, but asleep? Yep, you have him, but what good does it do you? He's there, but the storm is still threatening to run you over. What good does believing in him do? Well, at least you'll die trying, right? Then, Jesus says to you, "Why are you so afraid? Where's your faith?" What do you mean, where's my faith? I have you in the boat, don't I? I'm doing what I'm supposed to, right? How come I still have the storm?

The scripture doesn't really explain Jesus' remarks here. Was he telling them they should have called him sooner? Was he saying that they didn't exercise their faith and rebuke the storm themselves? Was he saying they should have relaxed because, when He's in the boat, they have nothing to fear?

Honestly, I don't have the answer. It could be one of these, all of these, or none of them. But, sometimes I feel like I'm doing my part but Jesus is asleep. What's up with that? "Hey, Jesus, wake up here! Can't you see that I'm struggling?" He's in the boat but it doesn't look like he's an active participant in my life at the moment. What am I to do in those times? In spite of the slight rebuke, I think the story holds the key. We are to go to Him for help. Keep asking Him to intervene. Sometimes, he'll rebuke the storm and all will be well. Other times, He'll give us the strength to endure. Still other times, he'll work miracles through us. In the end, we just need to turn to him in full trust.

Does it feel like Jesus is in your boat and yet he's asleep, seemingly unaware of your situation? Hang on. Trust Him. Believe in and on Him. Allow Him to work in you, for you, and through you. I wish I could say that, unequivocally, your storm will cease. It doesn't work that way. I can't predict that. What I can tell you is your trust will not be misplaced. Eventually, the struggle will cease and you will come out on the other side a better person, a deeper Christian than you were before.

Remain ...

A great tuba solo from Mnozil Brass.

Why do birds sing?

I believe I have told you my non-politically correct philosophy, right? In a nutshell, people are weird. Yep, that's right. I said, people are weird. Politically correct, every individual is unique. But, I like mine better. People are weird. How do I know? I see a weird guy every time I look in the mirror. So, my post today illustrates just this point, that I'm weird. Still, the question is a good one.

Why do birds sing? Have you ever stopped long enough to listen? I'm sure you have and you've probably asked yourself the same question. Maybe you asked a grown up when you were a child. I don't know what the answer was but I can assume it had something to do with happiness, finding a mate, or even praising their Creator.

But, have you ever really stopped to listen. My all time favorite songbird is the cardinal. Yep, just the ordinary, common cardinal. This bird has followed me, wherever I've lived. I can generally pick out it's song, even though I've noted that it's different at different times. When my wife and I were getting ready to leave our first congregation in Oklahoma to go to the far north state of Iowa, I became acquainted with the cardinal's song. One particular incident (perhaps that is best left for another time), the song sounded just like the bird was singing, "I'm right here" with an Andy Griffith blurring of the words so that it sounded like, "I'm rightcheer." Love that bird and that song.

But, I digress. Have you paused to think about the birds singing? What do they have to sing about. I mean, we have air conditioning in the summer, heat in the winter. We have shelter from rain, sleet, snow, and anything in between. They don't. What do they have to sing about, then? They have nests. Woohoo! Kinda breezy, don't you think? And, what's more, not very waterproof and is only good for a short time. So, WHY do THEY sing?

I think it's actually the way their Creator made them. They don't worry. They don't worry about tomorrow. They don't worry about their next meal. They don't worry about their young. They don't worry about anything. They don't worry. Why? Because God takes care of them. "Aw, come on," you say. "God takes care of them? That's pretty rotten care, if you ask me. Why, look at their nests. Just twigs and bits of stuff. No protection." And yet, they sing. They have all they need. They find food, shelter, etc, just when they need it. Jesus said in one of the best "don't-worry" sections of the Bible, "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." (Mt. 10:29-31)

On the other hand, absence of worry doesn't mean the absence of awareness. As George Bush (41) would say, "It wouldn't be prudent." No, be aware of what's going on around you. But, don't become so obsessed with what is happening that you are overwhelmed with fear, having turned your heart from trusting the one who feeds the birds, clothes the animals, and provides for His loved ones. Trust Him and let your music lift your spirits and those about you.

Trust is the song of life.

MOWING the lawn!!!

Washing Feet

Palm Saturday, I was privileged to play a very special role in our church's observance of Palm weekend. Saturday, we had an all day event that mimics VBS with crafts, music and a Bible lesson. The Bible lesson is obviously about Palm Sunday. I was asked to play the role of Jesus. In about an hour, the triumphal entry, the last supper, the Garden scene, and the resurrection all occur. As Jesus, I don't say a word; merely act out the parts that are narrated. Among other things, during this one hour I wash "the disciples" feet. One of the narrators becomes a disciple whose feet I wash. Then each of the children and their teachers come, one by one, to have their feet washed. At the time of the washing, the narrators ask "I wonder" questions. "I wonder who would wash your feet. Would your teacher at school? How about your principal?" The list grows until it comes to Jesus. Then, should He wash their feet? Questions of significance hang in the air. Purpose. Why did Jesus do it? Why didn't a servant do it?

For fifty to sixty participants, I'm kneeling on the floor (thankfully, not all 60 at once but in six sections), bent over, pouring water and then drying their feet. Gotta admit, sometimes I think, "How much longer do I have to do this?" Seriously, it's tough on the back, knees, legs, neck. Muscles ache that haven't ached like that for a long time. Besides my own discomfort, I am also aware of the discomfort of the participants, adult and children alike. Washing feet is an awkward setting at best in our society. It just feels really odd. I've seen shyness and embarrassment. It's just awkward. I also note the feet. Some are long and skinny, boney, short and stubby. Some look deformed and ill proportioned for such small tykes. There are bandaids, nobs, bumps, bruises, callouses, dirty toes, etc. You get the idea. It's not pretty. There aren't any foot models among any of them. See, there is nothing glamorous at all in washing feet.

Because this is done in assembly line fashion, one right after the other, I have to concentrate on speed and efficiency of movement. Speed for a couple of reasons. Each class has a certain amount of time to get to the next activity, so we are limited in how much time we can take there. Speed is also important for my own endurance. The quicker I can get their feet done, the quicker I can get out of the uncomfortable position. However, in spite of the efficiency and time, I like to make sure I get as much of the water dried off while treating each foot gently. I'm trying to be Jesus and I just can't imagine Jesus being rough, no matter how painful it was. After the feet are done. I like to make eye contact with each participant. Just a little connection. Sometimes with the adults, there is a flicker of some much deeper, serious emotion. For the children, there is an awkward feeling like the "pretend" time just took a step beyond what was expected. They participate, but it feels funny, as if something meaningful happened but they can't label it. So, it feels mysterious.

Can you imagine the thoughts that went through Jesus' mind when He washed His disciples feet? I am no Jesus, but I can’t help but imagine Jesus saying to himself something like, "Peter, couldn't you have missed at least one of those mud puddles?" "John, how many times have you broken that toe? Wow, look at that thing! One more break and it'll be at a right angle!" There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus would have thought, "Oh my! What have I gotten myself in for? I've only done three of these and my back is already having spasms." Yet, he continued. I'm equally sure that He prayed under his breath for each one of those disciples. "Father, none of these have been lost. Please strengthen each one for the days ahead." Don't you think He paused when He reached Judas? "Father, forgive him for he knows not what he is doing!" I'm sure he looked Judas in the eyes with a knowing look. Judas probably turned away so as not to betray his own tumultuous thoughts and misgivings. Yet, in spite of the discomfort, Jesus' own physical and the disciples mental discomfort, something else happened. Looks exchanged between disciples, as well as between the Master and the disciple, that spoke more than mere words. Deep, unspoken words that impacted each one to the core of their being. “The Master is a servant! What manner of man ought I to be?” Perhaps, one more thought, one more pervasive, uncomfortable, outlandish, frightening thought - “Jesus is preparing us for His departure.” How odd! They are not in control. In fact, there is nothing that is happening that is within their control. So much is said in this simple act of washing the disciples feet.

So much happened in that one meal at that one time. We don't have time to address all of it. However, I think this simple act reflects a very important point and could very well sum up what was about to take place. In this, Jesus shows what is His last will and testament. Service to others. He demonstrated that service first by washing their feet. What followed showed the depth of His service. Likewise, we should serve others and by so doing we serve God. What a novel and yet honorable thing. Friends, during this season, let us live by the example so beautifully shown in the selfless, painful and yet rewarding way of serving those around us. Remember, He didn't stop at the feet, He served the heart.

Hmmmm, I DO resemble this

GoComics.com - Your source for the best online comic strips around.

The Heaven's Declare the Glory of God

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1)

This morning, rising at an early hour, I paused to look out the front window.  It had been raining for the past 24 hours or so.  It was one of those gray days that seem as uninspiring as the gray clouds above.  Yes, I know, I've written about the specialness of God's creation, even in the clouds and rain.  Still, you can't deny that a cloudless day beats a rainy day in its beauty under normal circumstances, right? But, I digress.  As I looked out the front window, I could see light - moon light.  It was a full moon.  So, the skies had cleared, the stars were out, and the moon was doing its thing of lighting the night sky.

It dawned on me that one reason the theory of Evolution has taken hold is to deny the existence of God.  Think about this.  If you consider the order, the features of the universe itself, the moon and the sun to provide light at their specific times to coincide with the needs of the other parts of the universe, then the randomness of evolution must be called into question.  On the other hand, if an alternative could be offered, it would have to be that a "Being" much more powerful than you AND vastly larger than any one thing any of us had to be the Creator.

I have been to the Creation Museum in northern Kentucky and enjoyed the experience.  The museum was good, but the planetarium was fantastic.  It's description of the universe fits so well in what I'm trying to say.  The narration speaks of the vastness and order of the universe.  It seems that an alternative to the randomness of evolution must be an orderliness of creation.  For me, it is much easier to believe that there is a Creator who purposely placed the creation as it is as opposed to the randomness of evolution somehow creating an ordered universe.  Just doesn't seem right.  The moon to light the night and the sun to light the day did not just happen.  Just as we point to our parents through genetics, features and behaviors, the universe must point to the Originator of that universe.

Let me take you one step further down that argument. Someone might say, "Yes, the moon lights the night and the sun lights the day.  Their very properties are what makes the day bright and the night dark." True. Yet, to discount an organized Creator who ordered the universe as is would be to assume an orderliness to the randomness that is an oxymoron in itself.  Randomness speaks of disorder.  But, in our little solar system, there is much order.  Without the balance and order that is present, the system would fail, humanity would not be or would be elsewhere, and the one who refuses to believe in the Creator could not exist. The very presence of both the sun and the moon, the order in which they span the sky, indicates a Creator more so than an explosion.

So, we come full circle.  "The heavens declare the glory of God.  And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands."  Amen to that!

Good enough!

When my father-in-law would complete a project, his words of completion were, "Good enough!"  When you watch this video, here those words.

How big is God? Hmmm?

Oh, my.  Watch this video produced back in 1977.  Then, take a step back and think about evolution or God.  Ask yourself these two very simple questions: how?  why?

Acknowledging God

Solomon wrote, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.  Fear the Lord and turn away from evil." (Proverbs 3:5-7)  I think those verses should be linked, not considered separately.  Solomon is telling the reader to trust God, period.  Don't try to figure this out for yourself.  Trust His leading.  Verse 6 seems to be the capstone of these three, but neither verse 5 nor 7 are forgettable.  We trust Him, we fear, as in respecting His authority.  The word "acknowledge" means more than a tip of the hat or a cursory task to be completed.  It actually means to know, it "engages the whole energies of the soul (Delitzsch), and sees in God power, wisdom, providence, goodness, and justice. This meaning is conveyed by the Vulgate 'cogitare', which is 'to consider' in all parts, 'to reflect upon.'" (Biblehub.com)  We can therefore trust in the Lord because we have come to know Him.  We have learned that He is faithful.  He will make our path straight, hedged about so that it is plain to see the direction we should travel.  He will surely inform us when we stray IF we know Him, have learned His ways, and intentionally live under His guidance.  It is not necessarily freedom to do anything we want but freedom to do everything we want under the watchful eye of our loving Heavenly Father.  When we fall under His authority, we can trust Him to keep us safe.  When we respect His authority, we will not "kick against the pricks", we will not force our way but will trust Him to provide a clear path, that is, we will turn from demanding our own ways and instead lean into the way provided.  May God help us to listen and follow His clear path.

Being trombone!

Ever wonder what it must feel like to be an instrument, in particular, a trombone? Watch James Morrison, musician extraordinaire.

Sameness

Okay, I don't rant on very much on this site.  Yes, I enjoy humor, sometimes at others' expense, but that's just part of it.  I don't believe I have ever talked about this, though.  So, here's my rant for today.

I went to breakfast with my dad and my two brothers recently.  I left a little before they did and took the picture below.

My brother's car is the white impala.  Next to it was a Lexus and the black one is an Acura, I think.  Brands aren't important to this discussion except to say that my brother's car is just a simple "dime-a-dozen" Chevrolet Impala.  Here's the bottom line of this rant.  Please note the body styles.  If you were to cover up the back end of the car, you'll see the three cars are basically the same.  One has a spoiler, but that's about it.  Where is the innovative designs of yesterday?  Think about the fins, chrome, fastbacks, etc. of the cars gone by.   I miss the '57 Chevy's, the '65 Mustang, the '72 Cutlass, even the '73 Monte Carlo.  Where are those engineers?  Are we now in the place where body style is viewed the same as Mr. Ford viewed color? Ford said, "They can have any color they want as long as the color they want is black."  We can have any body style we want as long as it looks like a ???; right, I don't know what it looks like.  Finally, note the Ford 4 spaces to the right.  Body style is different.  Wow!  I'm not really crazy about it because there are other cars that look very similar.  However, in this picture, at least it offers a different shape.  Just wish the dreamers were back in control of the body styles so that a Mercedes or a Jaguar would be unique again, something to think about.  Now, there's no distinction to the tune that everyone is singing the same melody and, quite frankly, not everyone is in tune!

Okay, I'm done ranting on this.  At least until the next time.

The Power of Music (Especially the trombone!)

Take a look at this.  Good playing with a great effect!  Enjoy.  (Thanks, Timothy Thomas for the video.)

God's sense of humor

Friends, I have often stated that God must have a keen sense based on his call for me to step into pastoral ministry.  However, I'm wondering if that understanding is somewhat false.  What if God saw in me some latent ability to speak, to dream, to say the things He would have me say in a public setting?  What if it was His foresight that prompted me down this path because He had confidence in me even if I lacked it?  See, that changes everything.  It's not His sense of humor but His confidence in me.  Rather than pulling some uncomfortable practical joke, He's really pushing me to be better than I am.  Wow!  What a change of thought!  I had this notion that He was sitting on His throne, elbowing Jesus and saying, "Watch this!  I'm gonna tell this fellow he's going to preach.  Watch him squirm.  Then, when he gets in the pulpit, I won't leave him hanging, but it'll be fun to see the contortions he goes through just to get there."  Gales of laughter from the Three-in-One.  Please understand, I mean no disrespect to God.  It's my poor view. I'm not saying that God doesn't have a sense of humor.  It must be a keen sense and one that is deeply affected by the actions of His creation.  However, in this way, I don't believe it was His humor that led me to be a minister of the Gospel, to be a student again, to earn a PhD, to direct an online learning program.  It's not His humor; it's his confidence.  At that, I bow my head in wonder and amazement - that the King of all creation would consider me enough to push me in ways that would expand my horizon, equip me to do things beyond my natural ability, and to keep me moving forward.  As the old chorus says, "What a mighty God we serve!"  "I stand, I stand in awe of [Him]!"

Be still!

I don't know about you, but sometimes I need help. Sometimes, the help needed is something I can get from family or friends. Other times, it is much deeper, more difficult to satisfy. I was listening to another of those lectures of Dr. Seamands this morning in which he was describing an interview of Joni Erickson-Tada, the quadriplegic who has turned her handicap into a witness of God's grace. In this interview, Joni spoke of trying to get her head around what it meant to be a quadriplegic, the eternal "why". She concluded that one day God is going to give her the key that unlocks the answer to that question. That's not now, though. For now, she needs to be content in Him.

A few weeks ago, I was at a gathering of academic leaders. That day, one of our group led us in a devotional. Honestly, I can't remember much about the devotional. However, one thing the leader said was that he and his wife practiced scripture memorization and would find opportunities to use that scripture over and over. It helped make relevant the scripture while at the same time spoke into that point of their lives. I thought to myself, "That's what I need to do. I need to use the scriptures in that way." Yes, I've heard others say the same thing, but I got it this time.

Following that lead, I decided to do the same. I picked a verse of scripture that has not been far from me for quite some time. Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Be still. I don't know about you, but sometimes my life gets in a major uproar. I start worrying, fretting over what is or what might be or what isn't. "Be still." But, I need an answer to this terrific problem! "Shhhh. Just be still." Yes, but... "Be still." The still small voice whispers, "Be still and know that I am God." Don't worry about this. Just rest and trust in Him. I keep having to hear that but every time I do, I hear the comfort, grace, love of the Father compelling me to "cast all my cares on Him because He cares for me." (1 Peter 5:7) Hear it? "Be still."

Friends, I don't know what you face but this one thing I do know. God is fully aware and is not in the least caught by surprise by your predicament. We can have every confidence that He will work all things for our good. He will answer. He will reveal some of those answers later, when we are with Him in person. But, until then, rest in Him. "Be still and know that He is God."

Power in Praise? Really? No, REALLY!

I generally don't subscribe to popular thought for the sake of embarrassment.  It generally takes me a while to catch on to what is being said and most of the time, the new thought becomes old and outdated before I'm anywhere close to accepting it.  Yep, I know, that doesn't make much sense.  Suffice it to say, I like to wait and see on theories and ideas to see if they actually bear the weight of time.

I've been listening to a series of lectures by Dr. Steve Seamands on the Introduction to Systematic Theology.  Wow!  What a great opportunity to learn from one of our best.  He gave a devotional that has been really good for me to work on.  I haven't mastered the concept yet, but it makes sense.  I'm going to try to explain it in very short detail here because the punchline is what is important.

Back in the 1970's, one of those "new" thoughts emerged that had to do with praise.  It was something like, God works when we praise Him.  I remember a song that the Imperials sang back then:

Praise the Lord; He can work through those that praise Him. 

Praise the Lord, for our God inhabits praise.  

Praise the Lord, for the chains that seek to bind you 

Serve only to remind you

That they drop powerless behind you 

When you praise Him.

Great song.  Popular thought.  I didn't give it much thought ... until now.  Dr. Seamands pointed out what happens when you praise God.  In praise, we are really acknowledging God's position in our lives.  Essentially, we are admitting to Him, ourselves, and any who hear us, that He is in control, that we are subject to Him, that we trust Him.  That's the punchline.  We submit to His authority when we praise Him.  God can then work through our praise because we are submitting to His authority. Friends, "There's gold in them thar hills!"  Think about it.  In the midst of a test or trial, we stop to praise Him.  In the midst of it, we are acknowledging His place in our lives and our dependence on Him.  Sooooo, whether it's a written test or a test of the soul, praise Him.

Last Saturday, we had a memorial service for the District Superintendent of our district, Ron Balzer, his wife, Tammy, and their granddaughter.  They were killed in a tragic car accident in August in Valdosta, GA. I'm still shocked that this happened.  He was a great guy, a good leader; the kind of guy you'd just love to be around. He could be serious but could also lighten the moment with a broad smile and an offhand joke.  He will be sorely missed by many.  YET, even in the midst of this tragic loss, we praise God.  We don't praise God because Ron, Tammy, and their granddaughter died, but because God is!  I realize that's an awkward place to end a sentence (God is what!), but that's the point.  We praise Him because He is, He exists, He is aware, He cares, He is God.  Because He is God, I acknowledge His love for me, for the Balzers, and all those who are experiencing loss and pain.

I must admit, I hesitate to post this.  The second I submit it, it's possible I'll encounter some trying circumstance.  In other words, I'll have an opportunity to practice what I preach.  Believe me, immediate trial or not, I want to be "that person".  God helping me, I will!  Join me?