As you might have guessed, my first blog post-trip is one extolling the wonderful time we had in Northwest Kansas over the weekend. And it was indeed a grand time.
Our trip out was uneventful. We stopped in Central Kansas to see my wife’s dad, then headed on “out west”. Arriving at our destination about 7:00 in the evening (or was it 6pm…I just don’t know for sure with the confusion of crossing the time zone), we were greeted by our hosts who operate a b & b “out there” in the middle of nowhere.
Built in the late 1800’s in a valley with a running creek, the b & b is also a working ranch, although not the kind of ranch one might expect. There are no cowhands, horses, etc. here. There is a lot of tilled ground, irrigation, and some livestock. It’s operated more like a farm than a ranch, for those who know the difference.
We stayed in the house, which was filled with history and oozing with stories of times past and gone. They’ve done a great job with the preservation of the place and seem to have a good handle on what it takes to make such a place productive and good.
The two things I noticed most, however, were the quiet (which I’ve written about before), and the wildlife. Ducks, pheasant, turkeys, deer, geese, frogs (we were near a creek), and even prairie dogs were enjoyed over the course of time. The quiet was stunning and was a welcome respite for folks from the big city.
One thing I had kind of forgotten was how far people have to drive out there to get anywhere. It’s just a long way from one place to another, and drives of 20 miles or more to go to the store, to eat, to church, to visit, etc., are not uncommon. The roads aren’t all paved, either. Our car received some battle scars in the form of clinging mud on the fenders and wheel wells while out there. When I opened the trunk lid, the dust came flying off of it and into the air in a brown cloud. I knew then we were in God’s country.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
A Whole, 'Nuther Country
Today, we will take a trip out to Northwest Kansas. We used to live in that area, and have been asked to come back for the weekend to attend and participate in some church-related activities. We look forward to our short stay out there.
Northwest Kansas is in many respects a “whole ‘nuther country,” as they would say in Texas. Some of the area is on Mountain Daylight Time. Some is above 3,000 feet elevation, which seems to be the beginning point of a change in climate to more of a mountain-type. A lot of it is normally very dry; although this spring they have had a LOT of rain. The towns are small, as are the counties. Many counties in that part of the state have less than 5,000 population. The largest communities have about 5,000 to 6,000 population, and that’s counting a few dogs and cats.
There is an ethic out there that is at once independent, compassionate, stubborn, and gentle. There is a great respect for nature and for the land that gives sustenance and provides economy. Folks there don’t generally think much of city people, politicians, people with PhD behind their names, or the likes of folks such as Jesse Jackson or Al Gore. They’d much rather celebrate Veteran’s Day than Diversity Day.
So we’ll be traveling to that ‘nuther country, Northwest Kansas, shortly. And we’ll enjoy every moment we spend there and wistfully wish, as we travel back to Wichita, that we could stay longer.
Northwest Kansas is in many respects a “whole ‘nuther country,” as they would say in Texas. Some of the area is on Mountain Daylight Time. Some is above 3,000 feet elevation, which seems to be the beginning point of a change in climate to more of a mountain-type. A lot of it is normally very dry; although this spring they have had a LOT of rain. The towns are small, as are the counties. Many counties in that part of the state have less than 5,000 population. The largest communities have about 5,000 to 6,000 population, and that’s counting a few dogs and cats.
There is an ethic out there that is at once independent, compassionate, stubborn, and gentle. There is a great respect for nature and for the land that gives sustenance and provides economy. Folks there don’t generally think much of city people, politicians, people with PhD behind their names, or the likes of folks such as Jesse Jackson or Al Gore. They’d much rather celebrate Veteran’s Day than Diversity Day.
So we’ll be traveling to that ‘nuther country, Northwest Kansas, shortly. And we’ll enjoy every moment we spend there and wistfully wish, as we travel back to Wichita, that we could stay longer.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Meanness
Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts, in a column that ran on April 20, talked of the shooting at Virginia Tech. He quoted Nikki Giovanni, poet and professor who had taught the shooter, who talked about him. Among other things, according to Pitts, Ms. Giovanni said this, “''I know we're talking about a troubled youngster and crap like that, but troubled youngsters get drunk and jump off buildings; troubled youngsters drink and drive. I've taught troubled youngsters. I've taught crazy people. It was the meanness that bothered me. It was a really mean streak.''
Pitts concluded his column with these words, “You hear few people putting it that way, which isn't surprising. After you've established that there is meanness in the world, where do you go from there? Blame the police or mental health care, and the implication is that here is something we can get our hands around, something we can fix. But how can you fix meanness? How can you fix a deadness of the soul?”
“Some days, you look for answers. Some days, you seek things you can fix. But some days, I think, you just have to swallow the bitter pill that there is a meanness in this world. That will never pass for wisdom. But it feels an awful lot like truth.”
For Christians who believe in evil, the meanness that these folks talk about is personified as Satan, the Devil, or the Evil One. Choose whichever you want…to personify it or to just admit there is “meanness” in the world. Either way, the result is the same. People are killed. People are raped. People are abused. There are wars, famines, oppression, and genocide. There is, as a result of this meanness (or Satan…take your pick) theft, robbery, assault, deceit, rage, neglect, illness, and death.
Pitts’ questions regarding fixing meanness are especially appropriate. He has no answers. Christianity, however, does have an answer…Jesus Christ. That’s what makes Christianity so different from anything the world has ever seen. There is an answer to the unanswerable. There is a fix for meanness; for deadness of the soul. The fix is nothing we can do, but rather is something we can take advantage of because it’s already been done. The only question is whether or not we will do that.
Pitts concluded his column with these words, “You hear few people putting it that way, which isn't surprising. After you've established that there is meanness in the world, where do you go from there? Blame the police or mental health care, and the implication is that here is something we can get our hands around, something we can fix. But how can you fix meanness? How can you fix a deadness of the soul?”
“Some days, you look for answers. Some days, you seek things you can fix. But some days, I think, you just have to swallow the bitter pill that there is a meanness in this world. That will never pass for wisdom. But it feels an awful lot like truth.”
For Christians who believe in evil, the meanness that these folks talk about is personified as Satan, the Devil, or the Evil One. Choose whichever you want…to personify it or to just admit there is “meanness” in the world. Either way, the result is the same. People are killed. People are raped. People are abused. There are wars, famines, oppression, and genocide. There is, as a result of this meanness (or Satan…take your pick) theft, robbery, assault, deceit, rage, neglect, illness, and death.
Pitts’ questions regarding fixing meanness are especially appropriate. He has no answers. Christianity, however, does have an answer…Jesus Christ. That’s what makes Christianity so different from anything the world has ever seen. There is an answer to the unanswerable. There is a fix for meanness; for deadness of the soul. The fix is nothing we can do, but rather is something we can take advantage of because it’s already been done. The only question is whether or not we will do that.
Monday, April 23, 2007
"This is the day"
“This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” So says the Good Book regarding one aspect of the relationship of God to His creation.
Those of us who pray many times thank God for the day along with the things that He provides…shelter, food, etc. It’s a good thing to do, for it acknowledges that we indeed are dependent on God for the things that we have to have to live.
I know it’s a small thing, but we always, it seems, thank God for the day in past tense. In other words, when we think of God creating the day, we think in past tense…He has created it.
In a sense, that is correct. However, in a greater sense, I think, it is a miscarriage of our understanding of the nature of God and His work to think of this as a past tense event. Although it is difficult for me to do, I now try very hard to think of God in a continual creation mode, unfolding the day as it goes along. You see, God is always in the present tense. There is never any future tense or past tense with God. That's why Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I AM." Anything He does, He does in the here and now.
So I like to think of God as continually unfolding the day before us…continually creating…continually working…continually in tune with and in harmony with His creation.
If you’ve not thought that way about God before now, try it. Try imagining God continually at work unfolding and revealing the present tense to you as you hurtle through life’s existence. Hopefully, the exercise in doing this will enable you to comprehend even more the awesome and mighty God of heaven and earth.
Those of us who pray many times thank God for the day along with the things that He provides…shelter, food, etc. It’s a good thing to do, for it acknowledges that we indeed are dependent on God for the things that we have to have to live.
I know it’s a small thing, but we always, it seems, thank God for the day in past tense. In other words, when we think of God creating the day, we think in past tense…He has created it.
In a sense, that is correct. However, in a greater sense, I think, it is a miscarriage of our understanding of the nature of God and His work to think of this as a past tense event. Although it is difficult for me to do, I now try very hard to think of God in a continual creation mode, unfolding the day as it goes along. You see, God is always in the present tense. There is never any future tense or past tense with God. That's why Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I AM." Anything He does, He does in the here and now.
So I like to think of God as continually unfolding the day before us…continually creating…continually working…continually in tune with and in harmony with His creation.
If you’ve not thought that way about God before now, try it. Try imagining God continually at work unfolding and revealing the present tense to you as you hurtle through life’s existence. Hopefully, the exercise in doing this will enable you to comprehend even more the awesome and mighty God of heaven and earth.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
My Viewpoint
I wrote yesterday in response to an email sent to me asking me to speak to the godless condition of state schools which in turn leads people to kill others. The questioner also talked of leaving God out of the public forum and the evil that this causes. Although not quite word-for-word, I used his first email to construct these first sentences to be certain I gave his thoughts correctly.
The prompting for this came, I’m sure, from the Virginia Tech incident of a few days ago. I received a less-than-flattering response from the one who penned the original request. So much so that I have concern that this person may not be the Christian example that I thought at one time that he was.
I’m sure he was looking for someone to agree with him and others who believe, whether he understands that he believes this way or not, that government should cater to conservative Christians who wish to make their voices heard through the use of public funds and venues supported and financed by government. Somehow, in their minds, the shooting in Virginia is directly related to the lack of government approval of and promotion of the conservative Christian viewpoint. According to the natural and logical extension of his words that I outlined at the beginning of this piece, if we would only have God back in our schools, this wouldn’t have happened (nor would Columbine, etc.).
This view doesn’t fly with me for a number of reasons. I could speak of the foundational principles of our society, which prohibit such. I could speak of the fundamental unfairness of forcing others to support, through tax dollars, someone’s religious viewpoint.
However, it seems to me that one only need look at the example of the New Testament and the spread of Christianity in the first century to see that government was NOT the primary instrument of the spreading of the church. Rather, the church grew because Christians taught others, who in turn taught others. And they did so primarily, it seems, in homes, in places of worship, and in public areas such as what we would today refer to as parks and recreation areas.
They urged and encouraged others to follow their example as they lived their lives as best they could in conformance with the mind and will of God. They fed the hungry. They clothed the destitute. They healed the sick. They obeyed the laws of the land. They served the widows and orphans. They had a profound respect for women and children, the weak and the old (compared to the society in which they were living). They gave a cup of cold water to anyone who asked. And all along, they were telling people, I suppose many times one-on-one, the reason why they were behaving so refreshingly differently from others in their society.
Evil things will always happen in the world. Evil people will always kill, maim, and torture others. The spread of Christianity in the first century by the very Apostles of Jesus Christ didn’t keep Domitian and others from doing their despicable deeds. Our job as Christians is not to create a religious government. If that was so, Jesus would have set up a government himself and spread His church through that means. No, our job is to know the mind of God and do the will of the Father who sent Jesus to this world.
The prompting for this came, I’m sure, from the Virginia Tech incident of a few days ago. I received a less-than-flattering response from the one who penned the original request. So much so that I have concern that this person may not be the Christian example that I thought at one time that he was.
I’m sure he was looking for someone to agree with him and others who believe, whether he understands that he believes this way or not, that government should cater to conservative Christians who wish to make their voices heard through the use of public funds and venues supported and financed by government. Somehow, in their minds, the shooting in Virginia is directly related to the lack of government approval of and promotion of the conservative Christian viewpoint. According to the natural and logical extension of his words that I outlined at the beginning of this piece, if we would only have God back in our schools, this wouldn’t have happened (nor would Columbine, etc.).
This view doesn’t fly with me for a number of reasons. I could speak of the foundational principles of our society, which prohibit such. I could speak of the fundamental unfairness of forcing others to support, through tax dollars, someone’s religious viewpoint.
However, it seems to me that one only need look at the example of the New Testament and the spread of Christianity in the first century to see that government was NOT the primary instrument of the spreading of the church. Rather, the church grew because Christians taught others, who in turn taught others. And they did so primarily, it seems, in homes, in places of worship, and in public areas such as what we would today refer to as parks and recreation areas.
They urged and encouraged others to follow their example as they lived their lives as best they could in conformance with the mind and will of God. They fed the hungry. They clothed the destitute. They healed the sick. They obeyed the laws of the land. They served the widows and orphans. They had a profound respect for women and children, the weak and the old (compared to the society in which they were living). They gave a cup of cold water to anyone who asked. And all along, they were telling people, I suppose many times one-on-one, the reason why they were behaving so refreshingly differently from others in their society.
Evil things will always happen in the world. Evil people will always kill, maim, and torture others. The spread of Christianity in the first century by the very Apostles of Jesus Christ didn’t keep Domitian and others from doing their despicable deeds. Our job as Christians is not to create a religious government. If that was so, Jesus would have set up a government himself and spread His church through that means. No, our job is to know the mind of God and do the will of the Father who sent Jesus to this world.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
A Response
What follows is a response to an email sent to me by an acquaintence of mine who evidently believes that the shooting in Virginia can be at least in part attributed to the taking of God and the devil out of the public sector. My response is to him, but I thought I'd share it with all of you. Remember that my blog is copyrighted. Please do not share it or use it without my permission.
Hi, Bob. Thanks for keeping me on your email list. I don’t think what I will say is what you think I might say regarding the condition of state schools and our leaving God and the devil out of them, but will say it nevertheless.
I do not wish to have a state religion or have my tax dollars spent on the spreading or promotion of any religious doctrine. If that happens, which doctrine do we promote? Yours? Mine? Billy Graham’s? Jimmy Carter’s? Joe Biden’s? You see, there are nearly as many doctrines as there are people, I think. Someone somewhere isn’t going to agree on something that someone else believes to be absolutely true.
I do, however, desire that people be able to learn about various religions and to study the various religious holy writings of the world. That happens now and continues to happen in colleges, universities, high schools and other educational institutions both public and private, all over the country. I’m not sure what we’re complaining about regarding the seeming lack of God in the public forum.
You say in your email that “then these people wander around lost in their own minds being influenced by the devil without any correction by Truth. Lost, watching other people who seem to know their way and seem to know what they are doing. Yet the lost get no help, no guidance in the public forum. No discussion of Peace, Truth, Love, Salvation, Hope.” You further say, “with no solution, no way to manage the pain they go ‘Ballistic’ and our culture wonders why.”
If indeed that is true, why in heaven’s name would we want the public forum to give guidance and help regarding Peace, Truth, Love, Salvation, and Hope? The old saying, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help,” is as pertinent now as it ever was.
Where are the Christians, Bob? Why aren’t Christians discussing these subjects? Why aren’t Christians providing guidance and help in the public forum? Why do Christians wonder, along with the culture, why these things happen? Christians already have access to the "public forum", as you well know. Where were we? Don’t we already know?
Don’t we already know that we have failed as a Christian culture to tell the good news of Jesus Christ AND demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world? The Christian community's general hatred of homosexuals, abortionists, Democrats, Jesse Jackon, drug addicts, sex offenders, the homeless, the poor and others only solidify and harden our inability to reach across the divide.
We’d rather make certain our 401-K’s and our suburban lifestyle are maintained than to make certain that others know about Jesus. We’d rather donate a few dollars in the plate each Sunday to soothe our consciences rather than make life-altering sacrifices. We’d rather be certain we can pay the first and second mortgages, the credit card, the boat payment, the vacation fund, the cable bill, and the club membership than to see to it that others know about the Risen Lord.
Where were the Christians in this young man’s life? Who tried to span the divide? Where was he to learn about Peace, Truth, and Love if not from the private sector…the Christians? Who would teach him? The government? His professors? Give me a break.
Thanks for writing. I hope this has been helpful to you. I know it has been helpful for me to think about the issues you raise. They are pertinent and will continue to remain so long after the shock of this horrific event wears away.
Hi, Bob. Thanks for keeping me on your email list. I don’t think what I will say is what you think I might say regarding the condition of state schools and our leaving God and the devil out of them, but will say it nevertheless.
I do not wish to have a state religion or have my tax dollars spent on the spreading or promotion of any religious doctrine. If that happens, which doctrine do we promote? Yours? Mine? Billy Graham’s? Jimmy Carter’s? Joe Biden’s? You see, there are nearly as many doctrines as there are people, I think. Someone somewhere isn’t going to agree on something that someone else believes to be absolutely true.
I do, however, desire that people be able to learn about various religions and to study the various religious holy writings of the world. That happens now and continues to happen in colleges, universities, high schools and other educational institutions both public and private, all over the country. I’m not sure what we’re complaining about regarding the seeming lack of God in the public forum.
You say in your email that “then these people wander around lost in their own minds being influenced by the devil without any correction by Truth. Lost, watching other people who seem to know their way and seem to know what they are doing. Yet the lost get no help, no guidance in the public forum. No discussion of Peace, Truth, Love, Salvation, Hope.” You further say, “with no solution, no way to manage the pain they go ‘Ballistic’ and our culture wonders why.”
If indeed that is true, why in heaven’s name would we want the public forum to give guidance and help regarding Peace, Truth, Love, Salvation, and Hope? The old saying, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help,” is as pertinent now as it ever was.
Where are the Christians, Bob? Why aren’t Christians discussing these subjects? Why aren’t Christians providing guidance and help in the public forum? Why do Christians wonder, along with the culture, why these things happen? Christians already have access to the "public forum", as you well know. Where were we? Don’t we already know?
Don’t we already know that we have failed as a Christian culture to tell the good news of Jesus Christ AND demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world? The Christian community's general hatred of homosexuals, abortionists, Democrats, Jesse Jackon, drug addicts, sex offenders, the homeless, the poor and others only solidify and harden our inability to reach across the divide.
We’d rather make certain our 401-K’s and our suburban lifestyle are maintained than to make certain that others know about Jesus. We’d rather donate a few dollars in the plate each Sunday to soothe our consciences rather than make life-altering sacrifices. We’d rather be certain we can pay the first and second mortgages, the credit card, the boat payment, the vacation fund, the cable bill, and the club membership than to see to it that others know about the Risen Lord.
Where were the Christians in this young man’s life? Who tried to span the divide? Where was he to learn about Peace, Truth, and Love if not from the private sector…the Christians? Who would teach him? The government? His professors? Give me a break.
Thanks for writing. I hope this has been helpful to you. I know it has been helpful for me to think about the issues you raise. They are pertinent and will continue to remain so long after the shock of this horrific event wears away.
An Observation
It’s been a few days since I’ve put pen to paper (an anachronism from the old days) and posted something for my two faithful readers. That doesn’t mean that nothing has happened, or that I haven’t thought about anything. That only means that I haven’t had the time, energy, or will to expend the brain power to do this.
If you haven’t written a book, story, poem, or other writing under a sense of “I need to do this,” you probably don’t know that writing can take a lot of mental energy and emotional resources. That’s why I only write two to four times a week. Sometimes I can put something in two or three days in a row, or once in a while even twice in the same day. But generally, I have to rest my eighteen brain cells a few days in between.
Yesterday, we had a staff meeting. It was a routine meeting except for one item. We seemed to work on it for the longest time making sure we understood what our supervisor was saying. It seems like we circled all around the issue and poked and prodded it from various directions, making sure that communication had indeed taken place. No one seemed willing to pick it up and go with it for the longest time, apprehensive, I guess, that it might not be what it seemed to be.
I enjoyed watching the interaction and mostly kept silent during that time. I seem to learn more that way and think (although only time will tell) that I understand what was being said due in part to listening to the interactions of the others.
I’ve talked about communication before. I’ll say it again. Communication is without a doubt one of the hardest things human beings do. Forget climbing Mount Everest. Good communication is clearly more difficult. However, when it’s done correctly, it’s amazing how the wheels stop squeaking, the gears mesh, and the old jalopy of life goes smoothly down the road.
If you haven’t written a book, story, poem, or other writing under a sense of “I need to do this,” you probably don’t know that writing can take a lot of mental energy and emotional resources. That’s why I only write two to four times a week. Sometimes I can put something in two or three days in a row, or once in a while even twice in the same day. But generally, I have to rest my eighteen brain cells a few days in between.
Yesterday, we had a staff meeting. It was a routine meeting except for one item. We seemed to work on it for the longest time making sure we understood what our supervisor was saying. It seems like we circled all around the issue and poked and prodded it from various directions, making sure that communication had indeed taken place. No one seemed willing to pick it up and go with it for the longest time, apprehensive, I guess, that it might not be what it seemed to be.
I enjoyed watching the interaction and mostly kept silent during that time. I seem to learn more that way and think (although only time will tell) that I understand what was being said due in part to listening to the interactions of the others.
I’ve talked about communication before. I’ll say it again. Communication is without a doubt one of the hardest things human beings do. Forget climbing Mount Everest. Good communication is clearly more difficult. However, when it’s done correctly, it’s amazing how the wheels stop squeaking, the gears mesh, and the old jalopy of life goes smoothly down the road.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
The Circus
Cy and I went to the circus.
Cy got hit with a rolling pin.
We got even with the gosh-darned circus,
Bought two tickets and didn't go in.
We went to the circus yesterday. Although I know I shouldn’t complain if the circus was free, which it was for us as we received donated tickets, I’m going to register just a bit of concern with the event.
The Shrine circus is a staple of this part of the country. Each year for many, many years the circus has come to town. For the past couple of decades or more, it has performed at the Kansas Coloseum here in the Wichita area and is a well-attended event.
Some things I noticed, in no particular order, come to mind. The Coloseum was dirty. Not just from the prior performance, but deep-down, never-scrubbed dirty. I thought the smell was probably from the circus acts, but believe whole-heartedly that at least some of the odor was from a long accumulation of various kinds of dirt and filth that permeated the arena and concourses.
The circus has become an event for elevating the Shrine rather than as entertainment. I don’t care to see the Wichita Divan (board of directors of the Shrine) come in on motorcycles in a long procession and be introduced as if they were grand dignitaries. I don’t care for the commercials given by the ringmaster every few minutes regarding how great the Shrine is. And while the Shrine hospital system is indeed a good work, I would think the people who should be honored would be those who work with the sick and infirm rather than those who donate out of their largess.
The acts were, in many cases, second-rate. I haven’t a clue who actually owns and operates the circus even though the ringmaster said the name several times. However, it’s time to look around, I think, for people who will give a good performance. Cutting corners when paying for entertainment might be OK in some venues, but not this one.
On the other hand, it was free and it was for a good cause (assuming the money indeed does go to the hospital system). The drinks and popcorn were moderately priced and people seemed to be having a good time. I did too even though there were some things not to my liking. Gripe? Nah, just giving an opinion, which you’re free to agree or disagree with, read or not.
Cy got hit with a rolling pin.
We got even with the gosh-darned circus,
Bought two tickets and didn't go in.
We went to the circus yesterday. Although I know I shouldn’t complain if the circus was free, which it was for us as we received donated tickets, I’m going to register just a bit of concern with the event.
The Shrine circus is a staple of this part of the country. Each year for many, many years the circus has come to town. For the past couple of decades or more, it has performed at the Kansas Coloseum here in the Wichita area and is a well-attended event.
Some things I noticed, in no particular order, come to mind. The Coloseum was dirty. Not just from the prior performance, but deep-down, never-scrubbed dirty. I thought the smell was probably from the circus acts, but believe whole-heartedly that at least some of the odor was from a long accumulation of various kinds of dirt and filth that permeated the arena and concourses.
The circus has become an event for elevating the Shrine rather than as entertainment. I don’t care to see the Wichita Divan (board of directors of the Shrine) come in on motorcycles in a long procession and be introduced as if they were grand dignitaries. I don’t care for the commercials given by the ringmaster every few minutes regarding how great the Shrine is. And while the Shrine hospital system is indeed a good work, I would think the people who should be honored would be those who work with the sick and infirm rather than those who donate out of their largess.
The acts were, in many cases, second-rate. I haven’t a clue who actually owns and operates the circus even though the ringmaster said the name several times. However, it’s time to look around, I think, for people who will give a good performance. Cutting corners when paying for entertainment might be OK in some venues, but not this one.
On the other hand, it was free and it was for a good cause (assuming the money indeed does go to the hospital system). The drinks and popcorn were moderately priced and people seemed to be having a good time. I did too even though there were some things not to my liking. Gripe? Nah, just giving an opinion, which you’re free to agree or disagree with, read or not.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Boundaries Class
We are attending a class here on campus, sort of a continuing education class for houseparents. The class deals with the issue of boundaries and uses the book Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. The book (and class) works with people to learn to say no, set limits, keep people from taking advantage of them and foster healthy relationships. The foundation for the idea of good boundaries is the relationship that we have with God and He with us. I blogged about this back in February when we were just beginning the class. At the time, I didn't know much about the class or what we would be studying.
The class yesterday talked some of God respecting our boundaries. Think of it. We can say “no” to God and He will honor that. He will not force us into a relationship with Him that we don’t wish to have. He won’t bother us if we don’t want to be bothered. This is a great example of God respecting our boundaries.
In the same way, God has boundaries that we need to respect. To me, one of the most foundational boundaries is that God doesn’t want us to have a relationship with any other god. He wishes for the relationship we have with Him to be exclusive or not at all. If one thinks about that for a bit, it’s not at all an unreasonable request. Husbands and wives have promised exclusive relationships to each other for centuries.
I’m not in the business of selling anything, but this study is one of the best I’ve seen come from the Christian community in many years. It is timely and pertinent. It is down-to-earth and pragmatic. It is understandable and clear. And it gets out into the open a topic that many prefer, for whatever reason, to keep in secret.
This study is redefining my relationship with God in a positive way. It is also providing some possible answers to some questions that I’ve had as well as questions that others have asked me about God for many years. Exactly what does “God desires a relationship with me,” mean? Why does God insist on an exclusive relationship? Isn’t that being a little presumptuous? If God loves us, why doesn’t He rescue us from suffering and pain? Why does God insist on monogamous marriage relationships? Why does God allow us to go our own way and not stop us? Why does evil exist? You can probably add your own to this list.
In any event, if you can, read the book. Better yet, participate in or initiate a study of this material. I think you’ll find, like I did, that we have a lot to learn about God and our relationship with Him.
The class yesterday talked some of God respecting our boundaries. Think of it. We can say “no” to God and He will honor that. He will not force us into a relationship with Him that we don’t wish to have. He won’t bother us if we don’t want to be bothered. This is a great example of God respecting our boundaries.
In the same way, God has boundaries that we need to respect. To me, one of the most foundational boundaries is that God doesn’t want us to have a relationship with any other god. He wishes for the relationship we have with Him to be exclusive or not at all. If one thinks about that for a bit, it’s not at all an unreasonable request. Husbands and wives have promised exclusive relationships to each other for centuries.
I’m not in the business of selling anything, but this study is one of the best I’ve seen come from the Christian community in many years. It is timely and pertinent. It is down-to-earth and pragmatic. It is understandable and clear. And it gets out into the open a topic that many prefer, for whatever reason, to keep in secret.
This study is redefining my relationship with God in a positive way. It is also providing some possible answers to some questions that I’ve had as well as questions that others have asked me about God for many years. Exactly what does “God desires a relationship with me,” mean? Why does God insist on an exclusive relationship? Isn’t that being a little presumptuous? If God loves us, why doesn’t He rescue us from suffering and pain? Why does God insist on monogamous marriage relationships? Why does God allow us to go our own way and not stop us? Why does evil exist? You can probably add your own to this list.
In any event, if you can, read the book. Better yet, participate in or initiate a study of this material. I think you’ll find, like I did, that we have a lot to learn about God and our relationship with Him.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Another Passing
Another person of note passed away recently. Roger N. Wilson of Topeka, Kansas passed away. Now, most of you reading this have no clue who Mr. Wilson is and probably won’t care even after you’ve read this.
I didn’t know Mr. Wilson personally. I met him once and sat with him in a meeting in Wichita once. We interacted well, I thought. At the time he was living in Newton, Kansas and was the director of the historical society. Before that stint there, however, Mr. Wilson was a radio and television personality. I recall him giving the news on KFH radio in Wichita many years ago. He also did stints on television and on other radio stations.
His stories were concise and informative. His delivery and how he said his name at the end of his report became a classic signature. Having spent many years in broadcasting, I think I have an idea of what constitutes a good broadcaster. Mr. Wilson was one of the best in my opinion.
I don’t know about Mr. Wilson’s personal life. I don’t know why he moved to Topeka in late 2006 (I suspect he knew he was terminal and went home to die, but I don’t know that to be true). Mr. Wilson wouldn’t have recognized me had I met him again. But for some reason, I feel a loss that I am at a loss to explain.
Perhaps more than losing someone I knew about, maybe I feel a loss because this is one more disconnect of the past from my life. As it was when Kevin Craig died, this loss reminds me that I’ll never pass that way again. It also reminds me that I probably have never had a job that was more sheer fun than when I was in broadcasting. The money wasn’t good and neither were the hours, but I’ll ever and always relish and cherish those memories of late night maintenance, remote broadcasts, odd hours of work, video production, on-air chatter, responsibilities met, and I think a job well done.
I didn’t know Mr. Wilson personally. I met him once and sat with him in a meeting in Wichita once. We interacted well, I thought. At the time he was living in Newton, Kansas and was the director of the historical society. Before that stint there, however, Mr. Wilson was a radio and television personality. I recall him giving the news on KFH radio in Wichita many years ago. He also did stints on television and on other radio stations.
His stories were concise and informative. His delivery and how he said his name at the end of his report became a classic signature. Having spent many years in broadcasting, I think I have an idea of what constitutes a good broadcaster. Mr. Wilson was one of the best in my opinion.
I don’t know about Mr. Wilson’s personal life. I don’t know why he moved to Topeka in late 2006 (I suspect he knew he was terminal and went home to die, but I don’t know that to be true). Mr. Wilson wouldn’t have recognized me had I met him again. But for some reason, I feel a loss that I am at a loss to explain.
Perhaps more than losing someone I knew about, maybe I feel a loss because this is one more disconnect of the past from my life. As it was when Kevin Craig died, this loss reminds me that I’ll never pass that way again. It also reminds me that I probably have never had a job that was more sheer fun than when I was in broadcasting. The money wasn’t good and neither were the hours, but I’ll ever and always relish and cherish those memories of late night maintenance, remote broadcasts, odd hours of work, video production, on-air chatter, responsibilities met, and I think a job well done.
Johnny Hart
Johnny Hart passed away today. In case you don’t know, Mr. Hart is the creator of the B.C. comic strip that has appeared in print for about 50 years (Feb. 17, 1958). B.C. and the cast of characters that accompany him, Peter, Clumsy Carp, Thor, the Fat Broad, Wiley,Curls, the Cute Chick and Grog will appear no more; at least as drawn by Hart. There were other characters as well. Animals made regular appearances. Dinosaurs, clams, an ant, an anteater, a snake, a turtle and bird together, and an apteryx all were part of the strip. Some unseen correspondent across the ocean communicated regularly via a floating rock.
Some of this strips might have caused offense to some. If so, so be it. Mr. Hart has a right to his speech. Others have a right to not read it or buy it. All in all, though, Mr. Hart used his strip for one purpose…to entertain. And he did it with class. (By the way, you can look up additional information in Wikipedia…there’s a decent article there about him and the strip).
What is your favorite B.C. character? I think Wiley and Grog would have to be right up there in my books. Wiley is cool because of his insight and his ability to write things that are simple, yet profound. Grog is someone that for some unknown reason, I can identify with. For those who know me, that may seem a little strange, but you figure it out…I don’t have the time or patience.
I’ll certainly miss the wit and humor of Mr. Hart and the cast of characters that made up his prehistoric world. Thanks for a good ride, Mr. Hart.
Some of this strips might have caused offense to some. If so, so be it. Mr. Hart has a right to his speech. Others have a right to not read it or buy it. All in all, though, Mr. Hart used his strip for one purpose…to entertain. And he did it with class. (By the way, you can look up additional information in Wikipedia…there’s a decent article there about him and the strip).
What is your favorite B.C. character? I think Wiley and Grog would have to be right up there in my books. Wiley is cool because of his insight and his ability to write things that are simple, yet profound. Grog is someone that for some unknown reason, I can identify with. For those who know me, that may seem a little strange, but you figure it out…I don’t have the time or patience.
I’ll certainly miss the wit and humor of Mr. Hart and the cast of characters that made up his prehistoric world. Thanks for a good ride, Mr. Hart.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Walking in Others' Shoes
Today, we had what we call a senior dinner here on campus. We invite any and all who are willing to say that they are seniors and give them a meal, provide some entertainment, and update them on the home and what is happening here. The girls and staff prepare the meal, get things ready, and serve and wait tables. Everyone seems to enjoy it and have a good time.
There is a lot of planning that goes into an event that only lasts about two hours. Many multiples of that time are spent by several staffers as they prepare the meal, clean the facility, plan the program, contact the entertainment, set up tables, and take care of a host of other details. People who have never planned such a thing haven’t a clue.
I have been guilty many times of attending an event such as this one and flippantly criticizing some aspect of the event that I didn’t like or that didn’t go as I thought it should. I failed, too, to think of the hours of planning that went into it and that someone was just as disappointed as I in what happened (or didn’t happen).
Perhaps if we’d take a little more time to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes instead of being so concerned about ourselves, we’d understand much better what it’s like for the other person. Perhaps if we’d be just a little less self-centered and a little more others-centered, we’d not be so quick to criticize or chastise.
We had fun and it was a productive time. Did it all go as planned? No, but what ever does? Did people enjoy it? They said they did, and they had smiles as they left. I think that tells about all there is to say.
There is a lot of planning that goes into an event that only lasts about two hours. Many multiples of that time are spent by several staffers as they prepare the meal, clean the facility, plan the program, contact the entertainment, set up tables, and take care of a host of other details. People who have never planned such a thing haven’t a clue.
I have been guilty many times of attending an event such as this one and flippantly criticizing some aspect of the event that I didn’t like or that didn’t go as I thought it should. I failed, too, to think of the hours of planning that went into it and that someone was just as disappointed as I in what happened (or didn’t happen).
Perhaps if we’d take a little more time to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes instead of being so concerned about ourselves, we’d understand much better what it’s like for the other person. Perhaps if we’d be just a little less self-centered and a little more others-centered, we’d not be so quick to criticize or chastise.
We had fun and it was a productive time. Did it all go as planned? No, but what ever does? Did people enjoy it? They said they did, and they had smiles as they left. I think that tells about all there is to say.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Pennies and Dimes
I have occasion to go to the high school where my girls attend. I park in the parking lot that sits between the school and a super market. Invariably, I find coins in the parking lot as I’m walking to or from my vehicle. Mostly pennies, but I’ve also found other denominations of coins as well.
I asked one of my girls once why that was the case. She said that the students will go over to the store at lunch time and buy something from the salad bar or deli. They will walk back through the parking lot. They don’t want the change that was given to them in the transaction, so will just toss it into the parking lot.
I don’t know about you, but that seems like wanton waste to me. Growing up in the middle part of the 20th century, I recall when nickels bought candy bars and packages of peanuts. Pennies bought gum balls and tootsie rolls. Dimes bought soda pop and quarters and half-dollars (remember the Franklins and walking liberties?)…oh, my, one was wealthy with those in his pocket.
Store coupons back then were for three cents (or some such small number) off the purchase price. People used and saved them just as they do today with the dollar off coupons. Virtually nothing at the grocery store was over a dollar in price (unlike today when virtually nothing is UNDER a dollar) And five dollars would buy plate lunches for the entire work week with change left over for a coffee break in the afternoons.
On a more modern note, I have a change jar in my bedroom that I put spare change into. It takes about nine months for me to fill it, and when full has about $150 in it. No, pennies and nickels don’t buy much any more. Dimes and quarters are no longer made of silver and half dollars don’t circulate. But they will, when combined, result in an amount of money that almost anyone would willingly accept if offered.
I’ll take the pennies and dimes, kids.
I asked one of my girls once why that was the case. She said that the students will go over to the store at lunch time and buy something from the salad bar or deli. They will walk back through the parking lot. They don’t want the change that was given to them in the transaction, so will just toss it into the parking lot.
I don’t know about you, but that seems like wanton waste to me. Growing up in the middle part of the 20th century, I recall when nickels bought candy bars and packages of peanuts. Pennies bought gum balls and tootsie rolls. Dimes bought soda pop and quarters and half-dollars (remember the Franklins and walking liberties?)…oh, my, one was wealthy with those in his pocket.
Store coupons back then were for three cents (or some such small number) off the purchase price. People used and saved them just as they do today with the dollar off coupons. Virtually nothing at the grocery store was over a dollar in price (unlike today when virtually nothing is UNDER a dollar) And five dollars would buy plate lunches for the entire work week with change left over for a coffee break in the afternoons.
On a more modern note, I have a change jar in my bedroom that I put spare change into. It takes about nine months for me to fill it, and when full has about $150 in it. No, pennies and nickels don’t buy much any more. Dimes and quarters are no longer made of silver and half dollars don’t circulate. But they will, when combined, result in an amount of money that almost anyone would willingly accept if offered.
I’ll take the pennies and dimes, kids.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Life Lesson #644
I spent much of the day yesterday with maintenance-type issues on campus. You see, I am the maintenance person for the campus as well as a houseparent. Of course, the houseparent role takes priority and I do maintenance only as I can.
Yesterday, our mower broke down just a few minutes after I had started mowing around one of the cottages. The belt that went from the engine to the mower deck had broken and was laying in the grass a few feet behind the mower.
After obtaining a new belt, I undertook the task of figuring out how to install the thing. I had a book, and it had some explanation, but not much. It also had a couple of drawings. I messed around with it and finally formulated a plan of attack.
Getting the belt in place, I found that it was several inches shorter than it needed to be. I called the dealer, who assured me that the belt he gave me was the correct size. I told him I would look at the mower again to see if I had made a mistake of some kind, although in my mind I was sure I had not.
However, when I took the time to look at the rather crude drawings, I discovered that I had incorrectly placed the belt around the idler pulleys. I didn’t have time to do a correct placement yesterday, but know that when I make the correction today, it will work just fine.
I didn’t look at the drawings that were with the instructions because they were rather crude and I didn’t believe they were of much value. I also was rather proud of the fact that I could figure out how to make the repair all on my own and didn’t really need the help, thank you. Evidently, I shouldn't have patted myself on the back quite so quickly.
There’s a lesson here. I think it would be wise to heed it.
Yesterday, our mower broke down just a few minutes after I had started mowing around one of the cottages. The belt that went from the engine to the mower deck had broken and was laying in the grass a few feet behind the mower.
After obtaining a new belt, I undertook the task of figuring out how to install the thing. I had a book, and it had some explanation, but not much. It also had a couple of drawings. I messed around with it and finally formulated a plan of attack.
Getting the belt in place, I found that it was several inches shorter than it needed to be. I called the dealer, who assured me that the belt he gave me was the correct size. I told him I would look at the mower again to see if I had made a mistake of some kind, although in my mind I was sure I had not.
However, when I took the time to look at the rather crude drawings, I discovered that I had incorrectly placed the belt around the idler pulleys. I didn’t have time to do a correct placement yesterday, but know that when I make the correction today, it will work just fine.
I didn’t look at the drawings that were with the instructions because they were rather crude and I didn’t believe they were of much value. I also was rather proud of the fact that I could figure out how to make the repair all on my own and didn’t really need the help, thank you. Evidently, I shouldn't have patted myself on the back quite so quickly.
There’s a lesson here. I think it would be wise to heed it.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Insomnia
It’s ten minutes of four in the morning. I’ve been awake since before 3am, but just in the last few minutes decided to get up. I don’t know what’s happened that I’m unable to sleep. Maybe it was the late meal at an Italian eatery last night. Maybe it was my nap yesterday afternoon. Maybe it is the multitude of things stirring in my head. In any event, I’m here and you’re probably fast asleep.
There are things about this time of day, however, that are worth mentioning. If you’ve never experienced the late night (early morning) hours, you need to do that some time. It’s a different world out there. I used to, in another life, deliver newspapers in my local community (not Wichita). I started about this time of the day, or earlier. I found that I really didn’t know my own neighborhood and community like I thought I did.
The people are different this time of night. Yes, there are people out and around. Some have legitimate business out there…some don’t. The environment is different. Everyone relies on artificial light. A few times I would be out when the power had gone out for whatever reason. Now, that is eerie. Sometimes it would be raining or snowing. Sometimes the sky would be so clear one could almost literally see forever.
Things look different. One notices things that normally would escape notice in the light of day. The animals are different. Opossums, bats, and other creatures of the night are out and about. One’s senses are heightened. There’s more noticing of things that aren’t “just right”.
Then, depending on the time of year, about 5:30 or so the people of the day begin to stir. Waitresses go to work for the 6am shift. Nurses and aides trade shifts. The night people leave…the day people come on. Laborers, plumbers, garbage collectors and others begin the daily routines. Day has come and things return to normal, at least for the next 18 hours.
So we’ll see what today holds. Happy Monday to all.
There are things about this time of day, however, that are worth mentioning. If you’ve never experienced the late night (early morning) hours, you need to do that some time. It’s a different world out there. I used to, in another life, deliver newspapers in my local community (not Wichita). I started about this time of the day, or earlier. I found that I really didn’t know my own neighborhood and community like I thought I did.
The people are different this time of night. Yes, there are people out and around. Some have legitimate business out there…some don’t. The environment is different. Everyone relies on artificial light. A few times I would be out when the power had gone out for whatever reason. Now, that is eerie. Sometimes it would be raining or snowing. Sometimes the sky would be so clear one could almost literally see forever.
Things look different. One notices things that normally would escape notice in the light of day. The animals are different. Opossums, bats, and other creatures of the night are out and about. One’s senses are heightened. There’s more noticing of things that aren’t “just right”.
Then, depending on the time of year, about 5:30 or so the people of the day begin to stir. Waitresses go to work for the 6am shift. Nurses and aides trade shifts. The night people leave…the day people come on. Laborers, plumbers, garbage collectors and others begin the daily routines. Day has come and things return to normal, at least for the next 18 hours.
So we’ll see what today holds. Happy Monday to all.
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