Earlier this week, I went to Springfield for a couple of meetings. Ken McClure and I are working on some things regarding today's One Accord. Ken and his wife, Joey, were in One Accord in the early years. In fact, Joey gave us the name and then they were married in the First Baptist Church of Springfield.
I also had a meeting with Dr. Arthur Mallory. I wish all WAJ'ers could meet Arthur. He has always been a leader and as I have said many times to many people, he was the best commissioner of education the state of Missouri has ever had. Parents as Teachers began in his brain and that organization may be the best export the state of Missouri has in the 21st century. Arthur is helping with the "College Begins in Kindergarten" idea that I have fostered. He will make a great contribution to that endeavor.
Finally, I went to the cemetery where my parents were laid to rest. That is always a very sobering time for me. As I stood above their graves, I had to reflect on their lives and what they did for me. They were always giving and loved doing so. They believed in me and helped me so much educationally. After leaving the Army, I went home and got things ready to go to Baylor. My mother said she wished she could go with me and my dad said: "Why not?" We'll come to Waco on Sunday and will bring you back home. My mother and I were deep into Oklahoma when she discovered she had her house shoes on. There were so many special things. My dad would always go way out of his way to help anyone. He had a vision for Branson before Branson did. As I stood over their graves, I could not help but think what death did to their bodies and silenced these very giving people. The first time I went back to Springfield after they died, I felt like an orphan because for the first time in my life I didn't have a place to stay and no parents with whom to share. Not only that, I lost great prayer support.
How grateful to Christ we should all be when we stand over graves of loved ones, that there is more. There is more because of Christ. Hallelujah. As John Hagee says: "Hallelujah to the Lamb of God."
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
WINDERMERE - A PLACE TO EXPERIENCE GOD
Windermere Conference Center, located on the shores of the Niangua arm of the Lake of the Ozarks is a place where thousands of decisions for Christ have been made in the 50 years the ministry has been in existence. I believe my first experience there was in 1961 when I took a group of young people (I was young then, too) from First Baptist Church, Springfield, MO to have a retreat. My friend Gordon Kingsley was the featured speaker and we even had a quartet to bring some inspirational music.
A little later, I became pastor of the Lakeland Baptist Church of Sunrise Beach, MO and we would go to Windermere often when they would bring in special speakers. One time, we loaded up Harold Klee's cruiser and took a long boat ride to hear the greatest orator-preacher in the history of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. R.G. Lee preached his famous sermon "Pay Day Some Day." Through the years, I have heard that sermon several times and through the word pictures that Dr. Lee painted, you were in the middle of what was going on. I have never heard a preacher with the command of the English language like Dr. Lee. Somewhere I have the video of the 1,200th preaching of that sermon.
In the 1980's, One Accord had the privilege of singing at Windermere numerous times and being there, hearing the word, enjoying the fellowship and experiencing the lake were always great times in the Lord. On one of our albums, there is an insert picture of Jamie, Rick, and Holly at Windermere when they were little kids wearing shirts with the title of a song Sue wrote for them entitled "Father, Can You use a Child Like Me?" I told Sue that we also have a picture of our bus parked next to the Harding Auditorium where we sang so many times.
This past weekend, so many memories came flooding my mind as Sue and I participated in the weekend retreat of the Windermere Board of Advisors. A good friend of mine from college days is Dan Bench and he is the administrator-CEO of Windermere. I had not seen Dan in 50 years. That was great. Dr. Arthur Mallory is chairman of the Board and he invited Sue and me to participate in the activities. Sue sang "Over and Over," and "Mary, For a While" and did a great job. I spoke to the group about some things on my heart and so it was a time of giving and a time of receiving. Christianity is a lot like that. Windermere is a special place to experience it.
A little later, I became pastor of the Lakeland Baptist Church of Sunrise Beach, MO and we would go to Windermere often when they would bring in special speakers. One time, we loaded up Harold Klee's cruiser and took a long boat ride to hear the greatest orator-preacher in the history of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. R.G. Lee preached his famous sermon "Pay Day Some Day." Through the years, I have heard that sermon several times and through the word pictures that Dr. Lee painted, you were in the middle of what was going on. I have never heard a preacher with the command of the English language like Dr. Lee. Somewhere I have the video of the 1,200th preaching of that sermon.
In the 1980's, One Accord had the privilege of singing at Windermere numerous times and being there, hearing the word, enjoying the fellowship and experiencing the lake were always great times in the Lord. On one of our albums, there is an insert picture of Jamie, Rick, and Holly at Windermere when they were little kids wearing shirts with the title of a song Sue wrote for them entitled "Father, Can You use a Child Like Me?" I told Sue that we also have a picture of our bus parked next to the Harding Auditorium where we sang so many times.
This past weekend, so many memories came flooding my mind as Sue and I participated in the weekend retreat of the Windermere Board of Advisors. A good friend of mine from college days is Dan Bench and he is the administrator-CEO of Windermere. I had not seen Dan in 50 years. That was great. Dr. Arthur Mallory is chairman of the Board and he invited Sue and me to participate in the activities. Sue sang "Over and Over," and "Mary, For a While" and did a great job. I spoke to the group about some things on my heart and so it was a time of giving and a time of receiving. Christianity is a lot like that. Windermere is a special place to experience it.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
FEW SERVE
Here are some headlines that are not unfamiliar to anyone who has interest in either local or national news: BROWN HIRED TO COACH UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL; BLACK ASSUMES PRESIDENCY OF UNIVERSITY; SMITH ELECTED TO CONGRESS; JONES TO TAKE SUPERINTENDENCY OF DISTRICT; JOHNSON NEW CEO OF AREA'S LARGEST CORPORATION.
Without attaching real names to positions such as the above, one main ingredient is missing from each headline. What is missing is one of the things that is wrong with today's America. So many take positions because of upward mobility and the salaries and prestige attached to the position rather than doing what the positions demand. One should SERVE as basketball coach; One should SERVE as president of a university; One should SERVE as superintendent of schools; One should SERVE as CEO. One should SERVE as a Congressman or Congresswoman.
As I view decisions made by individuals who know little about leadership and yet they are in positions of leadership, it makes me want to cry out "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?" I don't know a lot about a lot, but I do know what makes a good leader. I could list a bunch of characteristics that a great leader should possess, but that is not the purpose of this blog. What I want to do is underscore some decisions made by one of the best superintendents of schools that I have seen anyone serving in that capacity can make. That has to do with endeavoring to help with weakest students in the district. This lady has brought corporations, clergy, and the school district together to do some great things. In doing these things, she is SERVING as superintendent. Last week, I had a breakfast meeting with the president and CEO of what one person calls the greatest export of Missouri. That lady is SERVING in her CEO position.
As Chairman of the Board of MOHELA, I want to serve the state of Missouri and help our at-risk children be able to see the need for post-secondary education and realize they can have that experience. I want the state to see that College begins in Kindergarten. Nehemiah was a leader who SERVED. Jesus not only SAVED, He SERVED. In the final analysis, perhaps the best way to save is to SERVE.
Without attaching real names to positions such as the above, one main ingredient is missing from each headline. What is missing is one of the things that is wrong with today's America. So many take positions because of upward mobility and the salaries and prestige attached to the position rather than doing what the positions demand. One should SERVE as basketball coach; One should SERVE as president of a university; One should SERVE as superintendent of schools; One should SERVE as CEO. One should SERVE as a Congressman or Congresswoman.
As I view decisions made by individuals who know little about leadership and yet they are in positions of leadership, it makes me want to cry out "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?" I don't know a lot about a lot, but I do know what makes a good leader. I could list a bunch of characteristics that a great leader should possess, but that is not the purpose of this blog. What I want to do is underscore some decisions made by one of the best superintendents of schools that I have seen anyone serving in that capacity can make. That has to do with endeavoring to help with weakest students in the district. This lady has brought corporations, clergy, and the school district together to do some great things. In doing these things, she is SERVING as superintendent. Last week, I had a breakfast meeting with the president and CEO of what one person calls the greatest export of Missouri. That lady is SERVING in her CEO position.
As Chairman of the Board of MOHELA, I want to serve the state of Missouri and help our at-risk children be able to see the need for post-secondary education and realize they can have that experience. I want the state to see that College begins in Kindergarten. Nehemiah was a leader who SERVED. Jesus not only SAVED, He SERVED. In the final analysis, perhaps the best way to save is to SERVE.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
A SPECIAL KIND OF SERVANT
I was on my way to the doctor's office this afternoon and was a little early, so I decided to go by Christian High School in O'Fallon, MO. CHS is a part of the Living Word School District of which I was the administrator during the nearly spectacular growth period in the late '90's and early 2000's. There were several serving, people on the teaching staff at that time and I had the happy privilege of hiring a number of new teachers, many of whom are still teaching there. One of those teachers who touched me in so many special ways was Francie Blackwell. Francie is a cute, vivacious lady who now has children in and considering college. MERCY!
When i walked in the door, she saw me and ran, threw her arms around me and made me fee so special. She talked about those years when we were just getting started and how lives are being changed today because of that work. Francie is always so encouraging and appreciative. What a special servant she is to elementary students.
Several years ago, I took Bill Weber, a friend of mine , to see one of the elementary schools. Francie was having PE in the parking lot and the kids were having a ball. They were exercising to the following:
"Jesus is our strength and power
He'll be with us every hour."
Bill could not believe it. He cried. Here was this gruff. strong man in tears because of the way Francie was teaching those youngsters.
Through the years, Francie has sent me cards at Christmas, Easter, birthdays. She is a thoughtful, energetic, loving, caring kind of lady who comes into one's life all too infrequently.
Since we began Write About Jesus, I have had the privilege of meeting a young lady who personifies the same qualities of Francie. Stacey O'Hara shares her love in so many special ways. Encouraging comments on my blog, checking to see how I feel, obvious love for Christ - all these things spill over into my life and I am so thankful. I have been working on trying to develop "Willing Learners," and Stacey has shared some really good things that help me in that endeavor.
One of the very best things about WAJ is the caring family that has been created. I treasure that and the relationships I am privileged to share.
When i walked in the door, she saw me and ran, threw her arms around me and made me fee so special. She talked about those years when we were just getting started and how lives are being changed today because of that work. Francie is always so encouraging and appreciative. What a special servant she is to elementary students.
Several years ago, I took Bill Weber, a friend of mine , to see one of the elementary schools. Francie was having PE in the parking lot and the kids were having a ball. They were exercising to the following:
"Jesus is our strength and power
He'll be with us every hour."
Bill could not believe it. He cried. Here was this gruff. strong man in tears because of the way Francie was teaching those youngsters.
Through the years, Francie has sent me cards at Christmas, Easter, birthdays. She is a thoughtful, energetic, loving, caring kind of lady who comes into one's life all too infrequently.
Since we began Write About Jesus, I have had the privilege of meeting a young lady who personifies the same qualities of Francie. Stacey O'Hara shares her love in so many special ways. Encouraging comments on my blog, checking to see how I feel, obvious love for Christ - all these things spill over into my life and I am so thankful. I have been working on trying to develop "Willing Learners," and Stacey has shared some really good things that help me in that endeavor.
One of the very best things about WAJ is the caring family that has been created. I treasure that and the relationships I am privileged to share.
Monday, March 17, 2008
A DIFFERENT KIND OF SERVING
For a few years, Sue and i worked at St. Charles High School. She was a jack of all trades serving as an English, Journalism and Drama teacher. During her stay at SCHS, a strange and funny event took place and she wrote a story about it that was on the front page of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and picked up by the Associated Press and printed in newspapers all across the United States. Indeed, there was a question about it on a syndicated game show.
Jean Mudd, an English teacher at SCHS was sponsoring Mark Twain days and a part of that special event was a scheduled frog jumping activity. Mrs. Mudd anxiously awaited the arrival of the frogs, and as the date for the event drew closer, the frogs had not arrived. It was incredibly cold in St. Charles at that time and it was discovered that the frogs had been left in the outside mailbox over the weekend. In opening the box, 42 frozen frogs were found. They had been exposed to 3 nights of sub-freezing weather.
They were immediately taken to Dan Odom's first hour biology class and his students gathered round as Odom worked feverishly to revive them. Frogs are cold-blooded animals whose body temperatures adjust to the ambient temperature.
Odom immersed the frogs into a cold-water bath and into progressively warmer baths as they began to show sings of movement. Then in an act of rare heroism and servanthood, he applied mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to four of them and the back pressure-arm life method of resuscitation to the remainder.Mrs. Mudd said it was a rare sight to see the 6-foot-5 Odom "bending over all these little limp frogs and coaxing them back to life."
In the end, not one frog was lost and none seemed to worse for the ordeal when put through their paces. Now that was truly a different kind of serving.
The question on the game show was this: "Can you give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a frog?"
By the way, Dan Odom and I were the sponsors of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at St.Charles High and we had the largest huddle in the state of Missouri.
Jean Mudd, an English teacher at SCHS was sponsoring Mark Twain days and a part of that special event was a scheduled frog jumping activity. Mrs. Mudd anxiously awaited the arrival of the frogs, and as the date for the event drew closer, the frogs had not arrived. It was incredibly cold in St. Charles at that time and it was discovered that the frogs had been left in the outside mailbox over the weekend. In opening the box, 42 frozen frogs were found. They had been exposed to 3 nights of sub-freezing weather.
They were immediately taken to Dan Odom's first hour biology class and his students gathered round as Odom worked feverishly to revive them. Frogs are cold-blooded animals whose body temperatures adjust to the ambient temperature.
Odom immersed the frogs into a cold-water bath and into progressively warmer baths as they began to show sings of movement. Then in an act of rare heroism and servanthood, he applied mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to four of them and the back pressure-arm life method of resuscitation to the remainder.Mrs. Mudd said it was a rare sight to see the 6-foot-5 Odom "bending over all these little limp frogs and coaxing them back to life."
In the end, not one frog was lost and none seemed to worse for the ordeal when put through their paces. Now that was truly a different kind of serving.
The question on the game show was this: "Can you give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a frog?"
By the way, Dan Odom and I were the sponsors of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at St.Charles High and we had the largest huddle in the state of Missouri.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
32ND ANNUAL PRAYER BREAKFAST FOR GREATER ST. LOUIS
Last year at this time, I had the happy privilege of introducing Governor Matt Blunt and Rick Warren to each other at the Greater St. Louis Annual Prayer Breakfast. That was a lot of fun and I suffered from a bit of "Head table Mentality" from that experience. Today, was the 32nd annual prayer breakfast with around 2500 in attendance. It is indeed one of the most attended prayer breakfasts in the United States.
Frank Cusamano, a local TV and Radio sports personality was the emcee and he did an excellent job in that capacity. Included in the program was the Mayor's Welcome, the County Executive's Welcome, Old Testament Reading, New Testament Reading, prayer for Mayors and other community and state leaders. There was also a prayer for our National Leaders, especially President Bush.
The speaker for today's prayer breakfast was Mr. John Aden who is Senior Vice President of International Operations for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. It was obvious that Mr Aden is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. His message suggested that each of us has a "God-Sized Hole." In order help fill the hole, we must recognize that God created us to Love Him. Filling the "God-Sized Hole" is more than a one time event. It is not just accepting Christ as Savior, it is a growing event. Filling the "God-Sized Hole" turns us to others. Filling the "God-Sized Hole" will lead to the real thing. That is a spirit-filled life.
Aden continues to be a very successful business person. He always starts the day in "The Word." He and his family have grown through the book "Experiencing God." After studying that book, his entire family and extended family have moved from being religious to committed lives dedicated to Jesus. In the final analysis, isn't that what God desires for all of us?
Frank Cusamano, a local TV and Radio sports personality was the emcee and he did an excellent job in that capacity. Included in the program was the Mayor's Welcome, the County Executive's Welcome, Old Testament Reading, New Testament Reading, prayer for Mayors and other community and state leaders. There was also a prayer for our National Leaders, especially President Bush.
The speaker for today's prayer breakfast was Mr. John Aden who is Senior Vice President of International Operations for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. It was obvious that Mr Aden is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. His message suggested that each of us has a "God-Sized Hole." In order help fill the hole, we must recognize that God created us to Love Him. Filling the "God-Sized Hole" is more than a one time event. It is not just accepting Christ as Savior, it is a growing event. Filling the "God-Sized Hole" turns us to others. Filling the "God-Sized Hole" will lead to the real thing. That is a spirit-filled life.
Aden continues to be a very successful business person. He always starts the day in "The Word." He and his family have grown through the book "Experiencing God." After studying that book, his entire family and extended family have moved from being religious to committed lives dedicated to Jesus. In the final analysis, isn't that what God desires for all of us?
Sunday, March 2, 2008
KINDERGARTEN - A PLACE TO CREATE
I feel I had a good start in school. I began kindergarten at Greenwood Elementary School on the campus of Missouri State University. We had 30 students in our class, 15 boys and 15 girls. Greenwood was not a private school, but you had to enroll early to be admitted. I believe my mother enrolled me when I was three days old. Miss Dora Henicke was my teacher and she had a great room in which to teach. We had a jungle gym, a storage locker for your shoes and other items, work benches with vices, an area carpet and a real opportunity to learn. I wish I would have become a "Willing Learner," but I as grateful for my year in kindergarten.
The first kindergarten in the United States began in the public school system of St. Louis, Missouri. Today, the district is plagued with so many problems that many corporate leaders in the city have given up. The district has been taken over by the state of Missouri. The present superintendent, Diana Borisaw (sp?) is a godly lady who really wants to do some special things to create a new climate for education in city schools. She has involved the clergy of the metropolitan area and making progress. Sadly, however, she is not going to continue as the leader of the district (By the way, she is a SERVANT-LEADER).
My friend, Ed Watkins and I, along with MOHELA are endeavoring to develop a program that will change, not only St. Louis, but the state of Missouri and the United States. It is strongly felt that we must begin in kindergarten and create "Willing Learners." Being a "Willing Learner" is not a natural thing, but they can be developed and we want to make sure that happens. I have some ideas, but need help in this endeavor.
Last Friday, I was in Springfield meeting with Arthur Mallory. He is a special friend and by far the BEST Commissioner of Education the state of Missouri has ever had. Several years ago, he began one of the best educational programs in the world when he created "Parents as Teachers." He gave me the name of the lady who is head of that organization and she has already e-mailed me so we can begin conversation on how that organization can help is in our kindergarten effort.
Meanwhile, if you have any ideas on how to create "Willing Learners," please let me know.
Sue came home last night at 8:10 pm. It is now 2:10 pm the next day in St. Charles, and she is still sleeping. I am looking forward to hearing all about her trip to the far east.
The first kindergarten in the United States began in the public school system of St. Louis, Missouri. Today, the district is plagued with so many problems that many corporate leaders in the city have given up. The district has been taken over by the state of Missouri. The present superintendent, Diana Borisaw (sp?) is a godly lady who really wants to do some special things to create a new climate for education in city schools. She has involved the clergy of the metropolitan area and making progress. Sadly, however, she is not going to continue as the leader of the district (By the way, she is a SERVANT-LEADER).
My friend, Ed Watkins and I, along with MOHELA are endeavoring to develop a program that will change, not only St. Louis, but the state of Missouri and the United States. It is strongly felt that we must begin in kindergarten and create "Willing Learners." Being a "Willing Learner" is not a natural thing, but they can be developed and we want to make sure that happens. I have some ideas, but need help in this endeavor.
Last Friday, I was in Springfield meeting with Arthur Mallory. He is a special friend and by far the BEST Commissioner of Education the state of Missouri has ever had. Several years ago, he began one of the best educational programs in the world when he created "Parents as Teachers." He gave me the name of the lady who is head of that organization and she has already e-mailed me so we can begin conversation on how that organization can help is in our kindergarten effort.
Meanwhile, if you have any ideas on how to create "Willing Learners," please let me know.
Sue came home last night at 8:10 pm. It is now 2:10 pm the next day in St. Charles, and she is still sleeping. I am looking forward to hearing all about her trip to the far east.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)