Teeth & Termination

Just some uneventful news so far this week. Sunday afternoon I was in my office, chewing a bit' - of - honey and chomped down on something hard ... now what could that be? So I took the candy out of my mouth, and to my surprise there was a 'tooth' in the candy - that will get your mind spinning. How did a tooth get in my candy .. you might know it would be my candy .. how much could I sue Nestle's for .. would the settlement let my wife and I take trips to different places around the world .. how many taxes would we have to take out? As I was somewhat troubled by the health hazards of chewing on someone else's tooth I tried to balance that with how wealthy I was about to become ...... then, yes, you've guessed it .... my dreams evaporated - my tongue had located the vacant spot where 'that' tooth used to reside! There would be no riches forthcoming,
the only thing looming in my future was a trip to the dentists' chair - that chair where my blood pressure spikes another 20 points, that chair where nightmares become reality, that chair where all kinds of pointy things enter my mouth, that chair where the only positive thing I've heard heard is, 'that's will be all!' Now don't get me wrong, I have the greatest dentist in the world, but I'm still convinced he probably chose to be a dentist because of some guilt complex about his past. Tomorrow 10:30AM.
This morning I went the big-city north and signed up to be enrolled in the Veteran's Affairs Health system. Oh yah, I'm 60 now - life is on the downward side. While over there I also went past the Veterans Home, so when I get to be too much of a pain, now that I'm into the system, my wife and kids can just commit me there. Just think on nice warm days I can sit on the porch, drink ice tea, and recall all the life-saving tasks I did while serving my country[that shouldn't be difficult I was a clerk, the only thing I saved were paper clips]; then in the winter, I can sit on the porch all bundled up drinking hot cocoa and watching my breath spiral into the wind and trying desperately to recall 'how did I get here?'. A couple years ago I had gone to the same clinic and was given some papers to fill out and bring back with my DD214[for those of you not familiar with this form, its your discharge form]. For some reason I didn't have a copy and when told I should have registered it at the county courthouse when I got home from the Army I didn't recall ever doing that. But then the VA counselor here in town convinced me to call there and find out, just in case. Wow! what a just in case, I had filed the form and they could mail it to me; better still my hometown county courthouse did such a service free from veterans. However, since my mother has her hair done every week in the same town she picked it up for me, then when my wife was visiting her this past weekend mom sent it home with her. Now I feel really good, I'm about to become another number in a government system, can it get any better than this. I mean even when it gets to the point I start forgetting my name all I have to do is show them this little card with 'the number' and the eagle on it, presto I'm in luck again. So I don't get to take extended trips to places I've never been, I'm still assured of a place I never want to go to! Wonder if they have a dentist' chair there?

The River of Doubt

A Book Review: 'The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey.' Millard, Candice. New York, New York. Broadway Books Publish. 2005
This is an absolutely thrilling book, and probably one that is not that well known among Americans. Stinging from a defeated attempt for a third term as US President Theodore Roosevelt goes to the Amazon Basin, there to explore and map out a tributary of that great river that is unknown to civilized man. Although a few have gotten a little ways, no civilized man has ever gone its entire length and mapped its course.
For those who enjoy travel logs this is great, Ms. Millard provides information about the plant and animal life along their trip that makes it come alive ... at times you can almost feel the insects bites and jump at every little noise mentioned. If you're real focused you'll find yourself anticipating what's around the next bend or seeing hidden Indians along the banks as surely Teddy and the explorers must have. To think that a former US President would take such a journey is incredible, and then almost die on the trip, wow what a story. I'll let you read the book for the details and suspense.
In this review I would rather focus on the psychological aspects of the story. One thing that caught my attention was the fact that Teddy in his pursuit of conquests fmay have failed in some of his aspirations as father. Although it seems that all his kids grew up rather well adjusted yet he leaves them with expectations that can rarely be met, and a relationship that is based more achieving than being. I know that often times in the book those who are close to him speak about 'loving him' though I question in what context do they mean love him? Is it in the sense of hero worship, which can have its positive aspects, is it in the sense of personal intimacy, love doesn't seem to be a major expressive factor even in his relationships with his wife ... rather, to me 'this loving him' appears in the context of 'awe.' It also often appears to me that his 'awesomeness' tends to create a dependency upon him, that relationships with him are built not on how two may relate more intimately but how closely the other can cling to Teddy. One particular illustration comes to mind, and I will try to explain it without getting into particulars in the story. As the expedition begins Teddy's reckless son Kermit agrees to go on the journey simply to pacify his mother's concerns about his father; however deeper into the story we find Teddy trying to become the protector of his son - why? glad you asked - because the recklessness of Kermit mirrors the character of Teddy himself. I'm not so sure the former president ever recognizes this, but it is one aspect of how his character so monopolizes his family members that they will often go to any bounds to make sure he loves them. With his seemingly boundless abilities and energy I wished that he could have been more like President Carter, and even President Adams, in the sense that he put those post-presidential energies to work helping out his fellow man or found a way to positively influenced his country's well being. [Though there were probably few men who loved their country more at that time than he did] Having said all of this I am sure that I would have felt nothing but admiration for the man, and been humbled to have merely stood in his presence. I must say that in contrast to all I've said he was a man not unaware of the price others were willing to pay for the success of the journey. Numerous times Teddy forgoes his own welfare for that of the workers along with them, and at one time offers to stay behind the expedition so that he won't slow them up. This book is indeed an extremely rare look inside a president, and it all happens after he has left public office. I hope that you ENJOY this book half as much as I did. I can't say as I am fully satisfied with this review for I fear that some of you will take it as negative and I in no way mean for it to be; therefore I may change and add it from time to time as thoughts come to me.

Getting frustrated!

Last night I ventured into the religious no man's land when I introduced a study by citing from the novel 'The Shack.' You would have thought I have now turned heretic and the people need to be on their guard because I've been influenced by he who rules the night. I'm not writing a critique of the book yet, because I still have a couple chapters to read, which I'll complete before I turn in tonight, but I want to take some space here to vent.
In my opening comments I was careful to explain that the book is no theology textbook, matter of fact I don't even know that there are any deep truths in it ... but it is mostly a book that causes you to reflect on what you believe, particularly about the Trinity. I guess the reaction I got was similar to people who don't want to even discuss Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings; people who haven't read the material, but because of entrenched opinions are sure thinking outside the box is not a religiously healthy thing to do. Now I certainly don't recommend people who have a new, and/or weak faith read this kind of thought provoking material because it might have an undue influence on their fledgling faith, but to those of us who have a somewhat tested and mature faith, should we not find a challenge in reading this ... not to realign our faith but to develop it. I think that we sometimes 'react' in our reading rather than being 'proactive'. Okay I hear you, how in the world do we be 'proactive' if we've already read something ... here's what I do, I refuse to react to what I'm reading particularly if its theological in nature. I mark the text just read, get out the scriptures and try to find as many verses as I can that relate to that portion, then after I have read both the book and the bible I look to see how well the two relate to each other, is the text following scripture, [please take note of the priority of scripture that I've made] or is it taking a different direction, and what is the future outcome pointed to.
I think we need to be especially careful that we don't attach meaning to the authors writings that were never intended; ex: if the author is struggling to work through a concept we must be careful that we don't interpret that author's intention as trying to mislead the reader, rather than trying to find an answer. So far in my reading of 'The Shack' I find the author struggling with his past, trying to find some kind of answer, trying to come to grips so that the past can be released. Now I may be extremely naive, but I don't believe the author is trying to present a correct theology of the Trinity here, nor do I believe he is trying to persuade us to interpret the Trinity as he does, but he is questioning ... why are we so afraid to question? There is a hidden danger in not being able to question and that is that we cease to grow, we cease to develop a more intimate relationship with Christ in new areas of our lives. I'm reminded that Paul said we 'are to work out our salvation,' meaning that there is a continual growing that must be taking part. Although growing can be an exciting time, I more often find it to be hard work, often times painful and certainly most of the time challenging; yet as Christians we tend to want our growth to be happy and exciting, and not challenging but comforting. The God that I serve is certainly big enough to not feel threatened by my questions, and gracious enough to tarry with me as I work them out, maybe its the time to work, and cost of working them I shy away from.
The main question that I had tried to propose was never really answered, 'how close of a relationship do we have with the Holy Spirit?' Whenever we appeared to get close to the answer a comment on the hierarchy of the Trinity surfaced. Now I will be the first to admit I'm not big on that issue, 'who is greater God, Christ or the Spirit' because I don't believe there is an answer to that question, matter of fact I'm almost convinced that is not a correct question at all. An intimate relationship with God dissolves that issue, matter of fact an intimate relationship with God does not even see such an issue; for a wholesome relationship with God means communion with the Son and the Spirit also, in the same context, in the same depth, without any competition. How do we establish an intimate relationship with just one aspect of God, when the way to God is through the Son and the Spirit facilitates our coming to the Son? Well now I'm entering into a theological quagmire, and I don't know where the land mines are so I'm backing out. Perhaps we fail to realize that even 'novel's' can be inspired to the point that they cause us to think without having to arrive at an answer ... could it possibly be that that inspiration could even point us to developing a greater relationship. As I read this for the 'umpteenth' time I have to chuckle a little when Ithink of how upset people must have been at the teachings of Jesus; for these were certainly concepts beyond what religious leaders had been telling them for centuries.

How did they grapple with his teachings? Where did they find others that were even willing to discuss them? Did Jesus teachings cause them to want to develop deeper relationships with God?

Good to have SWCOBL back!

My precious SWCOBL has returned from spending the week-end with my mom in Ohio. She had a good time and was able to help mom get up her Christiams decorations, [yes its the first part of November, but mom has always been the early bird in getting decorations up; guess she wants to catch the winter worm before anyone else] and SWCOBL got to visit with gram, and also our niece. She had a safe trip both there and back, and I thank God for that. Now its getting time to turn our focus on a Thanksgiving reunion with her family in Illinois, and a partial family reunion with two of our kids and their families who are also coming to the reunion celebrating my wife's parents '40th' anniversary. I forgot to mention that my wife also brought back with her some 'kickin' home-made chili she created at my mother's house; its almost as good as my home-made jambalya .... ummmm, thinking of jambalya, I'll fix jambalya for the 'men's hunting banquet' this saturday night?!

Here is the jambalya recipe I think I'll use. Its really a conglomeration from a bunch of different recipes I've put together [I would be interested in any suggestions]
1 Cup chopped celery
1 Red[or yellow] bell pepper chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 lb. andoullie sausage
1 lb. chopped chicken
1 pkg. [40-51] shrimp
2 can [14.5 oz.] cans crushed tomatoes w/liquid [w/chili flavoring]
1 small can of tomato paste
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups tomato juice
1 teaspoon dried thme
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cummin
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon oregano [I use oregano in everything]
*Cook chicken then chop into pieces.
*Heat celergy, bell pepper and onions until sauteed.
*Add chicken and sausage to pot, pour in crushed tomatoes, chicken broth and tomato juice.
add seasonings plus kosher salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat and cover for at least 20 minutes.
[if I have some crab meat in the pantry, I'll throw that in the mix also.]
*Add cooked shrimp for another 15 minutes.
*Now taste, and see what needs to be added.
*THIS IS BEST MADE THE NIGHT BEFORE, SO THAT IT CAN SPEND ALL DAY MARRYING THE FLAVORS IN THE FRIG. THEN REHEAT AND SERVE!

Back Roads Photo's

[can you spot the deer in the center of the pic?]

[if anyone knows what these mushrooms are, and whether

they are edible, please let me known]

ENJOY!

Delightful Dinner for All the Senses

Yesterday, SWCOBL and me, were invited to a couple's home for dinner after Sunday AM worship! And what a wonderful time it was, the fellowship was endearing and the food a real treat. Our appetizer was hot apple cider and crackers stacked with cream cheese, cucumber and topped with dill and pimento slices .... it was good. Then we sat down at the table and were treated to a California salad consisting of young spinach leaves, red onions, light blue cheese, nuts and tangerines, topped with homemade cherry vinaigrette served with hot tea or coffee! The main course was homemade lasagna and green beans with garlic/cheese slices of bread. Our hosts then served us ice cream with homemade chocolate topping - the chocolate topping was fantastic, and topped with crushed pecans. WOW! What a dinner ... thanks again to our friends.
This came after a spiritually rewarding Sunday AM worship. First our souls were filled with God's Word/Worship [we had a new young couple about to have their first child visit who told us they would be back and a young teen girl saved at the altar!] then our hearts were filled with additional bountiful fellowship around the table, and our bodies were deliciously stuffed. What a day in the 'family!'

Communion Tables & Altars

I have just read an amazing article in the "Leadership Journal, Fall 2009: Your Walls Talk, p.21-23, by Paul Louis Metzger. The author challenges us to rethink forsaking the communion table [and though he didn't include it, I want to include the altar] in our worship in an attempt to make people feel more comfortable; quite the opposite I believe, we are trying to make people feel less threatened. The author talks about what message the communion table sends to the people: 'a symbol of sacrificial love that breaks down cultural divisions and barriers of affinity. It reminds us that life is about being chosen by the Lord for interpersonal communion rather than choosing to consume stuff, and it reminds us we are called to take up our cross rather than seek personal comfort.'[p.22] Sometimes I wonder if we, the leaders, are more timid about worship around the communion table than the congregants? We're told by our denominational leaders how many times its considered appropriate to serve communion. Oh I know its done as a guideline because if it wasn't there in some churches communion might rarely be served, but there are no scriptural commands so why do we feel compelled to observe them and offer the elements of sacrifice and love to our people at every worship experience?. The tired adage, 'it may become a ritual' doesn't fly anymore. I agree with the author that the communion table is to be a time/place where the family can gather together and celebrate the blessings of his love for us, and in the process celebrate our love for each other.
Another place in worship that I feel has been forsaken is the altar, with its accompanying pastoral prayer. In our church the Family Prayer time is a special time/event in the worship service where family is encouraged to gather 'at the foot of the cross' for a variety of reasons, not the least being simply because the Spirit has guided one there. This is a time of family coming together. Attendance there is sporadic, some Sundays there are many, others hardly any'; yet I'm convinced there is never the full compliment that the Spirit is calling. The centuries long training that the altar was only a 'mourners bench' makes it tough to open our people's eyes to the communicative value in gathering there with the family. People are quick to judge why someone has come to altar, rather than opening up their hearts/minds to going there themselves. Now I'm not complaining, just this past week we saw a young teenage girl saved at our altar, and we anointed a young father because his mother has elected not to have more stents and instead has gone home to die among her friends; and people will come when specifically invited. What I am talking about is the 'altar becoming a familiar place of community during the worship; I fear we have become to comfortable in entering worship, finding our seat and then with our posture saying, 'now I'm going to sit here, would you feed me.' Wouldn't it be so enriching if people viewed communion and family prayer as ingredients of worship that they almost couldn't imagine worship not having?
Much of our younger generation is being drawn to sacred symbols, to worship times of interaction. How wise it would be of those who are Christian exemplars to place themselves at the altar during family prayer time, and partake of the elements offered there as a spiritual teaching of those who are younger, so that when they become worship leaders ... communion and prayer time will be enriching family events in worship; and one doesn't just come to worship for the inspirational singing, or the motivational message, but prepared to use all the times/places of worship for praise .. this I long for.
As I read the rest of this journal, my current plans are to continue journaling my thoughts from the articles ... I know that you have limited time, but your thoughts will enrich my understanding. thanks.