I know there must be a few of you that are wondering that since my last blog about the Greensburg tornado got published in "The Friends Voice" newsletter (here's the link )http://www.evangelicalfriends.org/north-america/voice/august2007/index2.html,
perhaps my head had gotten too big and I had decided to give up this blogging thing and move on to greener pastures.
Well, that's not the case. Not that I would mind getting to write for something that paid me; that would be too cool. I just haven't sat down and typed anything. But that doesn't mean I haven't had many thoughts and ideas that have floated around in my rather cluttered, A.D.D brain.
One of the reasons I haven't blogged much is that I got to spend some good time this summer with my friend Seth. When Seth and I are together we can't help but wax poetically about all things religious, political, BBQ and sports. For much of the summer I have been able to vent about a great many things; not only with Seth but with my ever patient wife. I mean if you want to see the level of my wife's patience you should watch her as I go off on about a 10 minute rant why John Edwards is a big phony. (Not that all politicians aren't and not that I care if he becomes president because at this point we could elect a stable full of horses and sheep and be in about the same spot). Anyway, I now feel the need to sum up some of my summer time thoughts for you. Most of these thoughts were almost blogs, but I just didn't sit down and put them together in poor sentence structure as is my wont to do.
Thought 1:
I have been thinking of milestones this summer. I recently went to my 20 year reunion with Haviland High School. In October I will have my 20 year reunion in North Carolina: 2 High Schools, long story. Last November my wife and I celebrated our 10th anniversary. 30 years ago we moved from Texas to North Carolina, setting the stage for a UNC obsession that has cost me at least 5 years off my life. (I also got to thinking that it was 30 years ago that Van Halen got going... not great news for all of you, but some things I just can't give up) I got to thinking about the 10-20-30 formula. Ok, it's my formula. I think we often are guilty of 'looking back' 10-20-30 years ago at key moments in life and celebrating them. More times than not, we look back with a lot of regret as well. "What if" seems to be the key question encompassing those moments. I think I need to start 'looking forward' 10-20-30 years. In 10 years Kaden will be in college and Kenyon will start High School. In 20 years I will just about be retired from the railroad and while that's great, if I don't quit eating bacon I see me sitting by the window with an oxygen tank by my side. In 30 years.... well, see the bacon thing and you'll surmise that there may not be a '30' year. Jesus said quit worrying about tomorrow and of course He was right; I mean He's Jesus after all. But I think we should also quit lamenting about the past. I recently asked Seth: 'Do you think people are waiting to live or waiting to die?' It's a bigger question than you may think.
Thought 2:
Storm Cleanup. The Greensburg tornado brought about a lot of emotions for millions of people; myself included. Soon after an event like that we are solid in our commitments to make changes in our lives and do things differently. We see the damage and we feel pain, sympathy and a new jolt of motivation. But after the news crews leave and all the politicians have all had their cameo moments, we often store the aftermath file away deep in our brains: out of sight, out of mind. I even got to a point where I could tease Seth's dad, Ron (a victim of the tornado) about the redneck FEMA trailer he was going to move into. I even bought him a Dale Jr. and Jimmie Johnson NASCAR picture for his trailer. But I have been thinking about how when traumatic things happen to our own lives or to those around us, we are quick to act and react. But after time we tend to forget that there is still much to clean up and much to rebuild. Our hearts, souls and minds are the same. We can't forget the finish the job when we are trying to deal with painful stuff in our lives; because Dubya (George W. Bush) only comes around once and then you're on your own.
Thought 3:
I preached again....
On July 29th I had the privilege of preaching at Ark City Friends church. This marked the first time I had given a sermon in 10 years. (see that 10-20-30 thing) Of course my family gets them all the time. Everything went well and the people were great. I talked about all the rules we have on the Union Pacific Railroad and how we are judged and graded using those rules by people who have never actually done what we do. It was all about grace, forgiveness and judging. Afterwards I really had a bit of a fire in the belly to do that again. I know that I'm a big, fat sinner and so it would be hard to be a 'pastor' again because I can't seem to get passed that whole hypocrisy thing. But to preach a sermon is a great joy for me. I wondered if God has a place for guys and gals like me or does it bother him that I don't 'leave all others' for the sake of the ministry? I don't know, but I know God gives us all opportunities to minister in different ways: love your neighbor, feed the hungry, house the homeless, clothe the needy, etc. I guess you don't have to be a pastor to be of some use to God, but man, I do miss it.
Thought 4:
Bring it on home to me.
My song for the summer has been by a band called 'Little Big Town'. They are a 4 member country/pop/folk band that I really enjoy. The first time I heard this song, it became another 'song from Jesus' for me. We played it at Frank's (Konnie's dad) funeral because she heard the song as something Frank would say to his girls: he was always there for them. Every time I hear this song, I'm moved. The harmonies are great but the message is better. 'I got what you need, bring it on home to me'. God is waiting for all us prodigals to come home. He's waiting with open, loving arms. And if you married couples aren't saying this to each other, well you should be. Here's the link for the song:
http://www.kstarheel.com/bringitonhome.html
That's it. I'm sure I've had more thoughts than just these but these will do.
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