When Sue comes home from Nashville, she usually heads straight to the bed to recover from a lack of sleep and a time of continuously being on the move. While in TN, she keeps a rather hectic schedule and when she arrives home, I endeavor to make home a quiet place with little responsibility for her.
This past week, Sue came home on Thursday evening and was totally wiped out. I told her she should go to bed without an exact time to get up. She could actually just become a part of the bed. No interruptions. This usually gets her revived for another trip to Music City.
Friday, however, was a different story. We got in my car and headed for Springfield, MO. Some of our friends invited us down for the Gaither Homecoming program that was to be held in the Hammonds Student Center, home of the Missouri State University basketball Bears. Holly used to cheer in this building when she was a Suger Bear (we have some nice pictures). Usually when you go to the Hammonds Center, you go for a basketball game. Concessions, ushers, usherettes, band, cheerleaders, NCAA banners hanging fomr the ceiling along with the jerseys of players whose numbers have been retired. The arena is an intimate setting for basketball. Tonight, however, there was no basketball in Hammonds. Ernie Haase provided tickets for Sue and me (a big thanks to Ernie) and we were about six rows from the stage on the floor. During the evening, we were blessed by the singing of Joy Gardner, Lynda Randall, Russ Taeff, Ben Speer, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Signature Sound and the Gaither Vocal Band. Jeff and Sheri sang a song that Simon Hawkins and Twila Labar wrote and we were excited about that for both of them. Then Jeff began to talk about a special song that became a number one song for them and was written by a lady by the name of Sue Smith who was present for the concert. That was really special and brought tears to my eyes.
As good as that was, it was not the highlight for me. When the homcoming friends sang "We Are Standing On Holy Ground," I was reminded that a basketball arena had been transformed into a holy place, not by flowers, special lighting, or anything like that, but the very presence of Jesus who made the difference. He can take an arena and make it a very special spiritual place. Miraculously, He can do the same thing with a life who will allow Him to do so. That is amazing!
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
FEELINGS IN GROWING OLDER
As a young person, I observed people dying, both senior and young, but I really did not stop to consider what life would be like as I entered those latter years. When I was younger, I kept making plans for the future such as buying a home, getting a new car, possible career change, taking care of my children, crossing paths with the "right" people, how best to serve the Lord, dealing with parents who were getting close to the end, etc. Now as I enter the latter phases of life on this planet, making plans for what is left in life is taking a turn I never considered until recently. About two months ago, I broke off a piece of a tooth that anchored my bridge. That led me to consider how much money I wanted to invest in my mouth. Instead of thinking about buying new things, I am thinking my present car may be my last. I find myself thinking I have accomplished so little with the talent God has provided and that makes me sad. For the umpteenth time, I saw the ending of the movie, "For the Love of the Game." This is story about an older pitcher who played for the Detroit Tigers and was played by Kevin Costner. In the movie, Costner goes by the name of Billy Chapel and he is pitching a perfect game against the New York Yankees in the House that Ruth Built, Yankee Stadium (The great announcer Vince Skully said the Cathedral of Yankee Stadium became a Chapel during that game). In this game, Costner reflects on events in his life and finally realizes his need for his girlfriend (Kelly Preston) and his desire to spend the rest of his life with her. Previously, she had told him that he did not need her. The story ends with Costner telling her that after pitching the perfect game, this moment should have been the happiest time of his life, but because she was not there it was far less than that and he realized his need for her to be part of his life. The story ends with passionate kissing in the JFK airport.
This made me think again of how important Jesus is and how he has prepared the future for my latter days. God has been so good to me. Only He could have worked out my meeting Sue and blending our families so successfully. In our family, no one was ever called "step" anything. Jamie, Rick, and Holly were and are brother and sisters. Sue was mom and I was dad. Our children and grandchildren continue to be so precious. Holly will give us another granddaughter in July. Sue's writing career is more that we could have planned. I am involved professionally with folks I would never have thought possible. My friend Ed Watkins and I have some plans for educational institutions we believe will be of signiicant help in shaping education in public schools. Ken McClure, a long-time friend, continues to open doors for me. I just visited with Dr. Arthur Mallory who is one of my two heroes and that was special. Our WAJ workshop, under Sue's direction, is fourishing and assisting so many in their pursuit of serving God as a writer. Although I have some health concerns. the important things are good and I can still go on our patio and shoot baskets pretty well. I have no idea how my life will end, but as the song writer once penned, "I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future." His name is Jesus.
This made me think again of how important Jesus is and how he has prepared the future for my latter days. God has been so good to me. Only He could have worked out my meeting Sue and blending our families so successfully. In our family, no one was ever called "step" anything. Jamie, Rick, and Holly were and are brother and sisters. Sue was mom and I was dad. Our children and grandchildren continue to be so precious. Holly will give us another granddaughter in July. Sue's writing career is more that we could have planned. I am involved professionally with folks I would never have thought possible. My friend Ed Watkins and I have some plans for educational institutions we believe will be of signiicant help in shaping education in public schools. Ken McClure, a long-time friend, continues to open doors for me. I just visited with Dr. Arthur Mallory who is one of my two heroes and that was special. Our WAJ workshop, under Sue's direction, is fourishing and assisting so many in their pursuit of serving God as a writer. Although I have some health concerns. the important things are good and I can still go on our patio and shoot baskets pretty well. I have no idea how my life will end, but as the song writer once penned, "I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future." His name is Jesus.
Monday, March 12, 2007
A Day with Rick Warren and Governor Matt Blunt
Last Wednesday began at 5 am when I had to roll out of bed and go to St. Louis for the Greater St. Louis Prayer Breakfast. It is heralded as the largest prayer breakfast in the United States. My joy was to meet Rick Warren and greet Governor Matt Blunt of Missouri and introduce them to each other. Warren was just as advertised, kind, gentle, and very real. As usual, Governor Blunt, who is a very committed Christian, was his kind self.
The prayer breakfast was a very spiritual experience, with Old Testament and New Testament readings and a prayer that surely made its way to the Throne of Grace. Pastor Warren, in his address to the business leaders of St. Louis, emphasized the powerful role of the church in the 21st century and shared that the church is the only organization in the world that has the volunteer man (and woman) power to change the world.
Following the breakfast (by the way, the food was not that good), a press conference was held in a room at the America's Center which is attached to the Edward Jones Dome, the home of the St. Louis Rams. I had the privilege of introducing Pastor Warren and Governor Blunt to the press. There was lots of talk of volunteerism in the four county area adjacent to St. Louis. That area is called the Westplex and a study has been done regarding the number of volunteer hours given to the not-for-profit organizations in St. Charles, Warren, Franklin, and Linccoln Counties. Both Warren and Blunt are vitally interested in the volunteer effort.
Paastor Warren then made his way to meeting the college bound seniors who attend school in the public schools of St. Louis. In this meeting, he emphasized that each person had a purpose and each one had to find his purpose in life. In addition, he gave a copy of his book to each student in attendance (800). It was heard that a few teachers felt Warren's message was too religious and he was informed of this during the question and answer period. It was interesting that he closed in prayer, not only for the students, but also for the teachers. With the problems in urban public schools, the teachers' complaint was an example of the knats and alligators.
For me, the final session with Pastor Warren was at the Bogey Club where lunch was served and he proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus to the affluent leaders of St. Louis. At the conclusion of time at the Bogey Club, Warren gave the audience a chance to ask him any question they had. He was a man with a message and was genuine in his every endeavor.
P.S. Pastor Warren gave each person at the breakfast and the Bogey Club a copy of the "Purpose Driven Life."
The prayer breakfast was a very spiritual experience, with Old Testament and New Testament readings and a prayer that surely made its way to the Throne of Grace. Pastor Warren, in his address to the business leaders of St. Louis, emphasized the powerful role of the church in the 21st century and shared that the church is the only organization in the world that has the volunteer man (and woman) power to change the world.
Following the breakfast (by the way, the food was not that good), a press conference was held in a room at the America's Center which is attached to the Edward Jones Dome, the home of the St. Louis Rams. I had the privilege of introducing Pastor Warren and Governor Blunt to the press. There was lots of talk of volunteerism in the four county area adjacent to St. Louis. That area is called the Westplex and a study has been done regarding the number of volunteer hours given to the not-for-profit organizations in St. Charles, Warren, Franklin, and Linccoln Counties. Both Warren and Blunt are vitally interested in the volunteer effort.
Paastor Warren then made his way to meeting the college bound seniors who attend school in the public schools of St. Louis. In this meeting, he emphasized that each person had a purpose and each one had to find his purpose in life. In addition, he gave a copy of his book to each student in attendance (800). It was heard that a few teachers felt Warren's message was too religious and he was informed of this during the question and answer period. It was interesting that he closed in prayer, not only for the students, but also for the teachers. With the problems in urban public schools, the teachers' complaint was an example of the knats and alligators.
For me, the final session with Pastor Warren was at the Bogey Club where lunch was served and he proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus to the affluent leaders of St. Louis. At the conclusion of time at the Bogey Club, Warren gave the audience a chance to ask him any question they had. He was a man with a message and was genuine in his every endeavor.
P.S. Pastor Warren gave each person at the breakfast and the Bogey Club a copy of the "Purpose Driven Life."
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Will We Ever Learn to Listen?
Dr. David McAlpin is our pastor. He is a gifted communicator and a better person. Today he shared something about listening and that trigerred some thoughts of mine.
One of the great faults of the American citizenry is that we don't really listen to each other. Much of the time we are wanting to interrupt with our special "expertise" about whatever the subject might be. Failing to listen to what is being said and endeavoring to understand what the speaker is saying is a large part of the reason there are so many divorces in our country. In Congress, Republicans do not listen to Democrats and Democrats do not listen to Republicans. Each party is so intent on pushing its agenda that they act as though no good idea can come from the opposing party. If you are a Republican, certainly no good idea ever came from a Democrat, and if you are a Democrat, Republicans are clueless. Liberals do not listen to conservatives and conservatives do not listen to liberals. Is it any wonder that we are in such a mess in Iraq!
James 1:19 say this: "My dear brothers (and sisters), take note of this: Everyone should be quick to LISTEN." On our way home from church this morning, I said to Sue that the art of listening should be taught in our schools. I don't remember hearing anything about that until graduate school in the counseling curriculum. Upon returning home, I looked in Anita Woolfolk's "Educational Psychology" textbook that I used to teach a class of that name, and I found these thoughts on page 488 entitled "Reaching Every Student:"
"Mrs. Perez and her fourth-grade class are working on a unit on social skills in social studies. They are learning the skill of LISTENING to someone who is talking by doing the following:
1. Look at the person who is talking.
2. Remember to sit quietly.
3. Think about what is being said.
4. Say yes or nod your head.
5. Ask a question about the topic to find out more.
According to the text, that came from "Including Students with Special Needs: A Practical Guide for Classroom Teachers' by Marilyn Friend and William D. Bursick.
Those social skills should be taught to presidents, senators, representatives, governors, music writers, husbands, wives, boys, girls, dogs and cats. Every person in America needs to be taught these social skills and apply them in their activities.
In leadership, I teach that LISTENING is the first characteristic of a serving leader because of its importance. A nation's policies would be altered, friendships would be strengthened, marriages would find healing, writers would have more patience, and the United States would be a greater country if these "special education" truths were practiced.
Will you give real listening a try? It might be surprising what you will learn.
One of the great faults of the American citizenry is that we don't really listen to each other. Much of the time we are wanting to interrupt with our special "expertise" about whatever the subject might be. Failing to listen to what is being said and endeavoring to understand what the speaker is saying is a large part of the reason there are so many divorces in our country. In Congress, Republicans do not listen to Democrats and Democrats do not listen to Republicans. Each party is so intent on pushing its agenda that they act as though no good idea can come from the opposing party. If you are a Republican, certainly no good idea ever came from a Democrat, and if you are a Democrat, Republicans are clueless. Liberals do not listen to conservatives and conservatives do not listen to liberals. Is it any wonder that we are in such a mess in Iraq!
James 1:19 say this: "My dear brothers (and sisters), take note of this: Everyone should be quick to LISTEN." On our way home from church this morning, I said to Sue that the art of listening should be taught in our schools. I don't remember hearing anything about that until graduate school in the counseling curriculum. Upon returning home, I looked in Anita Woolfolk's "Educational Psychology" textbook that I used to teach a class of that name, and I found these thoughts on page 488 entitled "Reaching Every Student:"
"Mrs. Perez and her fourth-grade class are working on a unit on social skills in social studies. They are learning the skill of LISTENING to someone who is talking by doing the following:
1. Look at the person who is talking.
2. Remember to sit quietly.
3. Think about what is being said.
4. Say yes or nod your head.
5. Ask a question about the topic to find out more.
According to the text, that came from "Including Students with Special Needs: A Practical Guide for Classroom Teachers' by Marilyn Friend and William D. Bursick.
Those social skills should be taught to presidents, senators, representatives, governors, music writers, husbands, wives, boys, girls, dogs and cats. Every person in America needs to be taught these social skills and apply them in their activities.
In leadership, I teach that LISTENING is the first characteristic of a serving leader because of its importance. A nation's policies would be altered, friendships would be strengthened, marriages would find healing, writers would have more patience, and the United States would be a greater country if these "special education" truths were practiced.
Will you give real listening a try? It might be surprising what you will learn.
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