Jane and I are gearing up for a writing class offered by Redhawk Publishing. The class begins this Thursday and will last for eight weeks. It will give me a chance to re-fire my writing which has laid dormant this summer. I have had ideas pop in my head that would make good stories or poems but I have not acted on any of them. I admire those that are able to daily set aside time and energy to pour out of their heart, mind and soul onto paper or computer screen. Life has a way of distracting or demanding that we do it instead of reflect and record about our experience. It is interesting how yard maintenance or domestic tasks consume me, deterring me from spinning yarns and wordsmithing essays through the portal of my computer. The habit of writing eludes me despite the knowledge that I cannot chronicle life without surrendering time, the one commodity that never replenishes. Growing older has empathized the trap that retirement affords me unlimited time was a lie. As am nearer the end, I sense a greater value of my time. However, without daily career demands, my routine becomes less ritualistic, and I am prone to be more ADHD in my living. I see the window that needs cleaning, tires that look low, a toilet that runs slowly or an number of visual distractions that beg for attention. My focus becomes more toddler like as I age. I am reminded of Paul's declaration; I do those things I don't want to do and the things I want to do, I don't. The internal battle goes beyond a war within the soul, the struggle is with the mind and heart as well. What could I be doing? Is my writing a waste of time? I am sure all of us that try to put life into words are conflicted with similar thoughts. Hopefully, this class will inspire me to carve out time for writing. If nothing else, it will give Jane and I an evening out. 

 

July 1^st

Half of 2024 is gone. We rarely think about that this time of year. Our minds are on the heat, July 4^th, vacations or any number of things that distract us from the passage of time. This year has disappeared extremely fast. Cataract surgery, back surgery and on-going issues with a rash that won’t go away have been physical issues that have kept my mind from processing the passage of time. Another factor that has disturbed our time is Jane and I have finally become dog owners once again. Beaux-Bo, as my granddaughter Kate christened him, is a half-beagle, half- Jack Russell mix that is all puppy. It was a long process to find another dog since my old dog Cotton was such a good dog that lived to the ripe old age of 15 and one-half years. We knew that there would be a period of time training Beaux but remarkably he has been a fairly quick learner. Again, we lucked out to get Beaux at 14 weeks which allowed the prior owner to do some training with him.

A dog is a reminder of the brevity of this life we have been given. For a dog to reach the age of Cotton is unusual but those 15 years go by so fast. Cotton was my dog as well as my daughter, Megan’s dog. As a young girl Megan, trained the little Jack Russell to ride in a basket on her electric scooter. Where ever Megan was, Cotton was normally by her side. Cotton was fearless when it came to dispatching snakes, so much so that she suffered a copperhead bite while Jane and I were gone to Raleigh for a workshop. Thankfully, Darin and Kelly were able to get her to the Vet and mitigate her injury. Cotton’s claim to fame was her ‘Zoomies’, where she could be whipped into a frenzy. She would run back and forth in the house, jumping into her sleeping bed and sliding into the wall. However, she normally was very laid back, particularly for a Jack Russell. It was this dichotomy of her behavior that endeared her to our family. (Of course, the way she would jump into my lap and nuzzle her short muzzle under my chin, was especially gratifying for me.)

So now begins a new chapter of dog ownership for Jane and I. The puppy stage is both frustrating and amusing. Beaux’s personality is coming out more and more each day. Beaux will not allow Jane and I to chill out for long. In fact, as I am writing this he is yipping, reminding us that he is out on his tied down, his place for after breakfast to avoid messing in the house. We hope to get him trained to hang out at the house without a tie down but I don’t trust his beagle nose that wants him to take-off and track anything and everything. For now, we will keep him leashed close by or in the house. I am sure that the life of Beaux will go even faster than the dogs that grew up with my children. I see them, with children of their own, and wonder where the years have gone. A half a year seems like a month or two. Maybe 2024 will be bit slower with a wild and crazy pup.  

Memorial Day 2024

The rainy start to this day adds an element of solemnness as we consider the price of freedom.  Free men and women are not issued that consideration as right or privilege. We live in a world that would that bombards us from both liberal and conservative viewpoints, telling us to they are the sole standard bearers of truth. As each of diligently pursue the admirable concepts of truth, justice and peace, may we also consider the lives lost over the years that allows us as Americans to freely follow these cornerstones of democracy. I offer today a couple of speeches that clearly define who we are as Americans. Are we perfect in our pursuit of the aforementioned concepts? Our history shows our failures as well as our success. Freedom shines a light of transparency, though sometimes it may take years for the light to root out discrimination and oppression even in our system of governing. Nevertheless, freedom must be accompanied by accountability. The graves of those that gave their all demand nothing less. 

We Are Americans

Oliver North, US Troops Veterans Day

Trace Adkins - Arlington

Remembering Those Patriots

 As a means of remembering those dear patriots that never returned from harm's way, I will be posting be posting essays and videos I shared with our Senior Center patrons on Memorial Days while I served as our County Service Officer. Please reflect on the importance of this day. Please excuse the all caps text. It helped me see what I was reading.  

MEMORIAL DAY 2014

THE MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION HAS ITS ROOTS IN THE CIVIL WAR AND IN WHAT MANY FOLKS USED TO CALL DECORATION DAY. THE FIRST OFFICIAL PROCLAIMATION WAS MADE BY GENERAL JOHN LOGAN, COMMANDER OF THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, ON MAY 30, 1868. ON THAT DAY, THE GRAVES OF BOTH THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE DEAD BURIED IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETARY WERE DECORATED. THE HONORING OF THE DEAD THAT PASSED IN SERVICE TO COUNTRY IS AT THE CORE OF OUR REMEMBERANCE TODAY.

THE HISTORY OF SACRFICE OF OUR SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND AIRMEN STRETCHES BACK TO THE DAYS OF LEXINGTON, CONCORD, VALLEY FORGE, YORKTOWN AND THE OTHER PLACES OF BATTLE THAT BOUGHT AMERICA’S FREEDOM FROM BRITISH RULE AND TYRANNY. EVER SINCE, YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN HAVE ANSWERED AMERICA’S CALL TO SERVICE AND SOME HAVE GIVEN WILLING YET UNFORTUNATELY, AS LINCOLN FIRST SAID, “THEIR LAST FULL MEASURE OF DEVOTION” IN SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY. IT IS THEIR SACRIFICE THAT WE HONOR TODAY AND RECOGNIZE THAT THE COST OF FREEDOM IS DEAR.  NOT ONLY TO THE DEPARTED, BUT ALSO TO THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS LEFT BEHIND TO CHERISH AND RECALL THEIR LOVED ONE’S MEMORY.

THE HIGH PRICE OF FREEDOM DEMANDS THE RESPECT OF ALL THAT LIVE IN ITS UNIQUE AND UNFETTERED LIFESTYLE. TOO OFTEN OUR COUNTRY’S CITIZENS FORGET OR WORSE YET ARE APATHETIC TOWARDS THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT LIE SILENT IN GRAVES ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY AND THE WORLD. THESE QUIETED VETERANS HAVE FORFEITED A COMPLETE LIFE THAT THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS MIGHT LIVE COMPLETELY. THE MARTYED DEAD WOULD NOT HAVE US DWELL ON THEIR DEATHS BUT RESPECTFULLY REFLECT ON THEIR BRIEF LIVES AND THE JOYFUL MEMORIES WE HAVE SHARED WITH THEM.

SO MEMORIAL DAY IS NOT JUST A DAY THAT SIGNALS THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER, OR DAY OFF FROM WORK OR AN OPPORTUNITY TO PICNIC AND GRILL OUT. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT JUST A DAY TO DWELL ON THE SACRIFICES OF PAST DEAD VETERANS AND THE UNFULFILLED LIVES THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIVED. IT IS ALL THESE THINGS; RESPECTFUL REMEMBERANCE AND JOYFUL CELEBRATION, QUIET CONSIDERATION AND PURE UNADULTRARED FUN. MEMORIAL DAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LIVING “TO DECORATE” THE SACRIFICED LIVES OF CITIZEN SOLDIERS WITH BOTH LIFE AND REFLECTION. MEMORIAL DAY IS IN FACT AMERICA’S MOST COSTLY DAY OF CELEBRATION.

National Anthem (Gaither Vocal Band)

Psalm 16

Today's post is an examination of Psalm 16, written by David. The Psalm points us toward the Messiah and His gracious life and sacrifice. 

                                                                

                                                            Psalm 16

What is a Miktam? Henry says that this Psalm is golden, more treasured than other Psalms because the Psalm points directly toward the Messiah. He, Christ, is the true treasure to be found in the Old Testament field.

Verses 1-7 David appeals to God directly to keep him safe. Why does he feel the need to seek God’s protection? How does this request of God mirror Christ’s request at Gethsemane? David is continually re-committing himself to His God. Henry says everything within us should be committed to seeking God and His way for our lives. It is so easy to go ahead and do, then ask for God’s blessing and guidance on our efforts. Truly trusting God means trusting through everything, the beginning, middle and end of work and trials.

If we are to take on the Lord’s countenance, we must do good and be good. Without the goodness of God in our lives, we can never be truly happy. We will run down every rabbit hole of trying to be like Christ when He asks us to trust Him with our lives. The solid underpinning of faith that says He is in control and knows best, prepares us for all the coming storms of life.

Since our goodness comes from God, we are to share that goodness with “the saints”. Who are the saints? Why do we share the gift of goodness with others? Because when Christ died and resurrected, it was not a benefit to God, rather it was a means for sinners to stand before a Holy and Righteous God. We must remember that nothing we do can be seen as a “favor” for Him.

Verse 4- Who is David referring to? It is easy to chase after other gods (little g) than to keep ourselves focused on the one true God. A real problem of worshiping other gods is that we intuitively know they aren’t enough so we seek other gods to fill in what is missing. This traps us into chasing more and more things that won’t satisfy. Notice that David points out that others will drink the “blood” of whatever god they are chasing. We know our perfect sacrifice drank the cup we should have drunk. His blood covered our sin and is sufficient for all our needs. We are secure that Christ is enough.

Verse 6- David is pointing to a time when we will stand before a righteous God without any hope other than the perfecting work of Jesus. The boundary line are fixed and consequently we can return to that pleasant place, where Paul says we return to our first love. Why do we struggle returning back to that place where we completely surrendered all like the old hymn says? What is our delightful inheritance? What can we desire, or treasure better than God? David had the distractions of family, a kingdom, and armies to lead but the Psalms are full of examples of where he retreats to whenever the pressures of the world were too much.

What are we to make of the idea that God counsels David in verse 7? What does it mean to have God as our portion? Henry talks about the idea that if we were left to our own means we would follow our eyes into trouble and evil that abound around us. The fact God enlightened us with his Holy Spirit is a blessing we many times forget. If we truly choose God as our portion, then He is all we need. This is so counter to the world than demands more and more. Christ demonstrated this complete resting in God’s sufficiency by following His Father’s exacting demands to defeat death and sin by dying on a cross.

 

Verses 8-11

These verses were quoted by Peter during his Penacostal sermon that led 3000 to the new church. David is not only appealing to God for mercy from this world but also, he shows faith that God will bring him to life in eternity. What has shaken your world lately? Did it block your view of God who is close at hand?

Verses 9-10 David refers to body being glad, rejoicing and resting. Why did he associated these different parts with these active states of being? Heart=glad, rejoice=tongue and body=rest. Henry says these verses point to the resurrection of the coming Christ and his transformation from death to life without any corruption. Like every other aspect of Christ’s life his death and resurrection went according to His Father’s plan.

Verse 11 David acknowledges God’s leading by showing him the path of life He has for him. Though joy and fulfillment are parceled out incompletely in this life we have an assurance that “eternal pleasures” are waiting in Eternity. We will have to give up this earthly body in order to claim our eternal reward. We must wrap our minds around the idea that Christ fulfillment was not complete until he died on the cross and rose from the grave. He didn’t bypass the difficult task before him. His glory and fulfillment came because he perfectly satisfied a just and Holy God. If he didn’t shrink from the assignment given to him, we too must search for God’s will, discover what He would have us do and continually remind ourselves that we can walk closely with God, in this world and the next.

Spilled Milk

My shaky, nervy hands betrayed me this morning. They lost their grip on a bowl I was carrying to the couch. It was filled with a Keto cereal and ultra processed milk, both a concession to my age and my pursuit of a healthier lifestyle. The release of the bowl was inevitable since in past two weeks my hands have become twitchy, strong and solid at times but also filled with an unseen alternating current of electricity that I cannot control. I am once again struggling with lower back issues which are impacting my right leg and hip. I am not sure if the onset of my hand shaking is tied to this new round of back problems but somehow, they have their genesis at the same time. 

I look at my hands freckled with brown liver spots and wrinkled contours, and wonder if the slippage this morning is foreshadowing of things to come or if it is a one off, a reminder that mortality means a slow degradation of one’s self. I can truly sense my mental deterioration: leaving my cell phone in the golf cart, forgetting name, dates, places, what I went into the room for, my mind distracted by an object that conjures up an additional undone task. My body is yielding to time but my hands had remained secure until recent days. I can see them visibly waver, dancing to an unheard tune, moving without guidance from my brain. 

As I swept up the remnants of the cracked bowl, cereal and milk, I wondered how many more times will I have to clean up a mess I have made due to an unreliable grip. A simple motor skill is becoming a task that requires my full attention. As I draw closer to Life’s finish line, I will no longer take for granted simple daily mundane tasks. As I regress, I become more infantile, while life ushers me backwards to what I once was, however robbed of the innocence that marked me as a child. Throughout this process of living, I remain tethered to the Truth and Hope of salvation by way of faith in Christ Jesus. As my body fails, my faith in Jesus increases since my own ability is diminished. I reside in skin, that is easily bruised and torn, which houses my eternal spirit. Linked to Christ by faith, my spirit longs for heaven and the unending joy and worship I will be able to participate in my new, whole body, made in the likeness of Christ.

     

Devotion for Psalm 46

This Psalm encourages us to trust in God no matter our circumstances and give Him glory for both what He has done and what He will do. It was said that when Martin Luther heard any discouraging news, he would say, ‘Come let us sing the forty-sixth psalm. What is the song you lift up to the Lord when you get bad news? (Love Lifted Me was playing in the background even while I was typing out this lesson, my favorite up lifting song. It is my testimony, only God’s love could lift me out of my sin and selfishness both in the past and as I live now.) We all need a go to song to remind us of the power of our great God!

Background: This was written by the Sons of Korah. Does anyone know who these three guys are? (Exodus 6:24 tells us the names of Korah’s sons were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph.) They were the three children that listened to Moses and stepped away from their father’s tent, Korah, and were not swallowed up when the earth opened up to quell the revolt against Moses. They went on to write many of the Psalm because of God’s provision and their willingness to follow Moses and God’s leading. The prophet Samuel comes from this lineage.

The song also notes that it is an Alamoth. What do you think might mean? Scholars seem to think that this is a song to be sung by soprano voices. Songs were typically led by men, a small choir, made up of trained voices ages 30-50. However, many times the Psalm encouraged the congregation to participate along with the choir leadership.  The fact that the song is an Alamoth, a soprano led song, is unusual. Why do you think it was written for women? As we read and study this scripture, I imagine somewhere around His throne there is a group of Old Testament women believers singing this song even as we all wait for the trump to usher Christ back to earth to call his family home.

Read v1-3

Verse 1 is a very familiar verse and yet it contains a great deal of good news. The fact that we can claim God as our own and he sees us as such because of Christ is remarkable. A Holy God is a shelter and refuge for unholy people because of Christ’s sacrifice. A now and forever near-by present help. How do we forget to call on our burden bearing God?

Verses 2-3 What can we count on because of the writer’s statement in verse 1?  NO FEAR! The writers go to extremes to make a point: It is our duty and privilege to be fearless. What does it mean to be fearless for God look like? Can you really deal with the Earth melting and all of this reality coming to an end? Though the earth shakes and all appears to be crumbling God remains on His throne, constant, unshakable, and in control.

Read v4-6

These verses contrast with the shaking earth and foaming waters. What does God’s dwelling place look like? He leads me by the still waters. Why do we need to refresh ourselves by God’s waters? We like the woman at the well are thirsty for His soul satisfying waters. We can return and refresh again and again without running out of water. We tend to drown ourselves in the uproar of politics, news and gossip, full of dirt and grit, which will never fill us.

Read v 7

A declarative statement that is still just as true as it was then. The Lord God Jehovah was, is and will always be our fortress. Why did the writer choose fortress as an image for our faith?

Read v 8-10

The writer has us recall God’s sovereignty and power over all things. Why do people feel that the world is beyond God’s control? What bows and shields does God need to shatter in your own life? Our dependency on God is solely based on the absolute truth that nothing in our lives is beyond His redemptive help and control. Sure, we can willing oppose His will but He can even take those actions, and turn them into good things for us and for His glory. His ability to make all things new is matchless. Verse 10 is one of my favorites “Be still and know that I am God”. When was the last time you were really still before Him? God’s personal mission statement follows “I will be exalted”. We many times think it is about us, salvation, grace and love. But I really believe it is and forever will be about Him, His Son and the Holy Spirit. If you don’t think that, Heaven might not be a uncomfortable place to spend eternity.

Read v 11

The writers repeat v7. Why?

 Play Crabb Family “Through the Fire Again”.