Son Mitch (second from left) is in a very popular band from Texas called Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys. They have a chance to play at Austin City Limits if they can garner enough votes. The voting is close, and Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys could sure use your vote. If you wish to vote, cast yours at the following site. You can vote once a day.
http://acl.mp3.com/feature/soundandjury/?band=HOMER-HICCOLM-AND-THE-ROCKETBOYS
Thanks for your support.
What more could one ask for than to spend 3 days with your kids in New England with sunny skies and mid-70 temps all weekend? On Friday, we headed to Maine to walk beautiful Marginal Way–a 3-mile trail along the rugged coastline–in Olgonquit. We had seafood in York and returned home tired and sunburnt. On Saturday, we made and flew kites along the Chelsea River, attended an Italian Festival in East Boston (where Steve and Chrissy live), and walked around downtown Boston before eating another great meal together.
On Sunday, Mitch had to go to his job as copy editor at Boston Now daily newspaper, but Steve and Chrissy met us for worship at Trinity Church, established in the late 1700s. I can’t say that the service was particularly moving, but it was interesting, filled with all the pomp and pagentry of “high church.” Afterwards, we enjoyed a coffee fellowship in the old building’s new fellowship hall where we met a nice lady who has been a member at Trinity all her life. She was actually born in Boston and has lived there since except for two years she spent in Dallas. I personally found her to be the highlight of the morning, taking a chance to meet some visitors. After church, we walked down to the Charles River for sandwiches on the Esplanade and a long walk over to Cambridge before meeting up with Mitch when he got off work. From there, we headed back to East Boston and another walk through the Italian Festival where we enjoyed great pizza and honest-to-goodness canolis. We capped the evening off with a concert in the park featuring my favorite music, bluegrass (in Boston, of all places!).
The weekend was refreshing and blessed by God. He has blessed us with good kids who have grown into great citizens. (By the way, daughter-in-law, Chrissy began a new job last Monday as CFO for a non-profit agency called Generations.)
Photos: (Top) Chrissy, Mitch, Steve Jr., Lynn at our favorite New England site, Dunkin’ Donuts. (Next) Two Steves at M.I.T. This is as close as they would let us get to the school…something to the effect of ”inferior minds” corrupting its image. Check out Steve Jr’s additional photos from our visit at
http://acu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2039914&l=70b8f&id=54602503
We are in a real slow period for Sears freight. I’ve had about 5 trips cancelled over the past two weeks because of low volume freight. Not sure what next weeks holds, but I hope it picks up soon. No drivey, not money.
I really like my job, despite the inconsistent paycheck. I like driving. I like the people I encounter along the way. I like my routes. I like having two days off (four counting the weekend) with Lynn. I like hurling down the highway at 65 mph in 80,000 pounds of steel and fiberglass. I especially like what I’m learning about me. I like not having my identity linked to my profession (as was the case in counseling ministry). I like overcoming new challenges (I don’t like it at the time, but when it’s all over, I feel pretty good.)
Maybe periodically we all ought to do something completely different from what we do regularly. What if you accountants learned to fly a plane? What if you waitresses took up law? What if you salespeople became firefighters? What if you preachers opened your own business? I think we would all grow closer to God who is our identity and our purpose and our strength.
What is the biggest challenge you have ever faced in your life? Something that you didn’t think you could do, but did anyway. An ordeal that you were sure you couldn’t get through, but by the grace of God, you did.
Lynn and I are excited about going to Boston next Thursday to see Steve Jr., Chrissy and Mitch. (Mitch is in Boston two weeks each month on a project for “Boston Now” newspaper.) I’ll share our experiences next time.
My favorite major league pitcher lost another one this past weekend. You’d think at $52 million, Daisuke Matsuzaka would have a better w-l record.
Corporate executive’s bonusus are in the millions. Oil company profits are in the billions.
In our house church is a single mom with two daughters who makes ends meet by selling frozen treats out her back door to neighborhood children.
A Hummer at Lynn’s summer job takes up two parking spaces.
Ticket prices for the Grizzlies will be up this coming season, and fans will pay them.
Churches in Memphis are spending millions and millions for new facilities while social service agencies must beg for every penny they get.
You wouldn’t believe what some people spend on home entertainment systems.
The wealthy in this country are getting wealthier, while the poor are getting more poor.
“If you can find the money to kill people, you can find the money to help people.”
That last quote was from Michael Moore’s new movie, SiCKO. It is admittedly a biased look at healthcare systems around the world, focusing mainly on the U.S.’s lack of one. The movie is entertaining yet sobering. One thing you will notice is how our priorities in this country are so messed up. Terrorists at Gitmo receive better healthcare than many of our own citizens.
If you have seen SiCKO, what are your thoughts? Got any ideas on how to fix the problem?
Dr. Leonard Allen stated the following during lectures at ACU in 2003 in his three-part presentation, Living in Light of Last(ing) Things. You can find expanded thoughts in his book, co-authored with Danny Swick, Participating in God’s Life, New Leaf Books.
The Basic New Testament claim is: The triumph of God has been revealed. The triumph of God has been uncovered. In Jesus’ death and resurrection, all the hostile principalities and powers of this present age have been disarmed and, in fact, defeated. God’s Kingdom has broken into history and—for the believer, those with faith—it has brought an end to all other kingdoms. In this new Kingdom, the believer sees—knows by faith—the end of history, how history is going to turn out. This triumph is not visible to the human eye, it’s not audible to the human ear, in fact, much of the evidence we see and we hear around us point to the contrary. Just read the daily paper. It is known not through any scientific search, nor statistical projection. It is known only through faith. The worldly powers keep on raging and threatening to overwhelm us to win, but the believer sees by faith that they (worldly powers) are already doomed, finished. They are already writhing in their death struggle. Therefore, the believer already knows something by faith that unbelievers do not know. They know that Jesus Christ now reigns as Lord of all. And further more, they know that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Lordship. Furthermore, believers not only know by faith how history will turn out (more than just knowing the end), they also presently participate in that end through the presence of God’s Spirit…as Paul states in 1 Cor. 10:11, “We are those upon whom the end of the ages has come.” So, this means then, for the faithful, that knowing this truth (this revealed truth) and experiencing this apocalyptic presence or power by the Spirit, the believer can follow Jesus in all things, even in those things that may seem to worldly logic and to mere worldly eyes utterly impractical and utterly unworkable to those who do not know what Christians know and see, by faith, what Christians see. And it is this basic New Testament outlook that can properly be called apocalyptic… The Kingdom of God in the person of Jesus Christ has broken into history. The end has come, and we are participants by the Spirit in that.
He went on to say that this vision (Paul’s vision) eventually faded as the church became more institutionalized and powerful. This is what Dr. Allen’s thoughts say to me:
What does this say to you?
We have lots of videos of Christmases past when the boys were little. As they grew and the presents become more practical and less “toy”, one thing didn’t change from year to year. Every Christmas and birthday, the boys had to show each present to the camera and say who that present was from. “This “Etcha Sketch” is from Aunt Susan,” little Stephen would say. Mitch might say, ”Thanks, Uncle Richard, for this nice sweater,” as he held up his gift. When the boys were real young, the process would get pretty funny. Little Mitch might say something like, “This baboon (balloon) is from Uncle Ginny.” Well, the process was the same at every Christmas and birthday: open the presents, hold each one up and say “thank you” to the giver.
I really regret having had the boys go through that gruelling process. My intentions were to instill in them a sense of gratitude. I didn’t want them to take gifts for granted, focusing more on the gift than the generosity of the giver.
Maybe my obsession came from my own years of lack of gratitude, when I took things for granted and even had the nerve to complain when I didn’t have the things I wanted when I wanted them.
Not sure here, but I think that maybe ingratitude more than anything irks God. He pours out sunshine and rain on good people and bad alike. We wouldn’t last one nano-second without his generous provisions, yet we complain so much. It’s too hot. It’s too cold. Too much rain. Not enough rain. Nothing good on TV. I’m bored. Is this all there is? I haven’t eaten in two hours! All I do is work, work, work! She is so uppity! He’s so strange. Why can’t you be like other husbands? Our house is too small. My car is five years old. Why can’t I have an iPod like everyone else? My hair won’t do right. I wish I had hair. And on and on and on…
I really don’t know the secret to being grateful. Except perhaps to put yourself around people who have far less than you, or those whose health has failed them. Maybe it would help to live on half our salary for a year. I really think it would help if we get our focus off those who have more than we do and simply enjoy what we have. (A young couple I know has committed to not purchasing anything new for a year.)
I am really trying to grow in this area of thankfulness. When you try, it’s amazing what you find to be thankful for. Things that I took for granted in the past hold new value to me now. I love sunsets and sunrises. And time with Lynn doing nothing. And working in the yard. And hamburgers. And our neighbors. And every ache-free morning. And work. And old hymns. And sons who are not in a war. And freedom. And our house. And chess pie. And old friends. And memories…
Do you have any ideas on developing an attitude of gratitude? Some of you do this very well and I’d like for you to share your secret. What are you most thankful for?
Your will on earth as it is in heaven.
If we only knew what life in heaven is like then we would know what we’re shooting for here on earth. Wait a minute; Jesus would know. He came from heaven. He’d know what God’s will is for heaven and earth. And wouldn’t he live his life in full compliance with God’s will? And wouldn’t he teach others what was important to God?
Then, to get an idea of how to create a bit of heaven on earth, we need only look to Jesus to see what that might look like. Jesus also said, “Your Kingdom come…” Seems to me that we who wish to follow Jesus are put here to usher in God’s Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. (Pardon me, but I don’t think Kingdom and church here are synonymous. I think the church is chiefly commissioned to announce the Kingdom but Jesus wasn’t praying for the establishment of local congregations throughout the land…the Kingdom is far bigger than that.)
To get an idea of what my role in announcing the Kingdom I need to observe very carefully what Jesus focused on while he was here. It’s interesting that he didn’t say much about church worship. Nor about leadership or women’s role, or church music or other issues that church people focus on and argue about.
The clearest teachings for me are found in his “sermon on the mount.” There he talks about our influence (salt and light), relationships (murder, adultery, divorce, keeping your word, revenge, loving enemies, judging), caring for the needy, prayer, fasting, greed (treasures in heaven), worry, choices (narrow/wide gates), hypocrisy, building a strong life (foundations). And in the description of his own mission, Jesus reveals what kinds of work he must be about in creating “on earth as it is in heaven.” Remember, he said he is to be about giving hope to the poor, mercy to wrong-doers, relief to the infirmed and comfort to the alienated.
Again, it seems to me that these are what I’m to be about if God is using me to reveal his Kingdom and will on earth as it is in heaven.
That’s why I’m trying really hard to make every encounter with another person something significant. And sometimes it seems so silly and trivial. I carry a big bucket of Double Bubble gum in my truck to give to the men and women at the many security checkpoints I go through each week. Now, they look forward to my coming by. Several weeks ago, I heard a warehouse person complain about the huge truck load I brought him and that he wouldn’t have time to study for a test. I asked what kind of test; he said he was trying to become a firefighter. Last week, I asked him how his test went. He didn’t even remember our previous conversation and was amazed that I did. He was genuinely impressed that I asked. I look for ways to help other truckers, wave at every kid I see, pick up paper in the parking lots, tip generously, compliment profusely, engage in conversations with service people (janitors, waitresses, cleaning people, etc.), and do the very best I can at work. In short, what I learned from Jesus is that there are no insignificant people and no insignificant events. Every encounter has potential to reveal the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Doesn’t that give new perspective to your day? Doesn’t that put the power of God in your hands? Doesn’t that take the edge off of having to win an argument? Doesn’t that alleviate the stress of having to live up to expectations? Doesn’t that put the one hour a week or so you spend “at church” in perspective?
We had an interesting weekend. Lynn and I left Friday afternoon for Nashville where we met up with my sister and her husband, had a great dinner together and spent the night. Next morning, the four of us drove out to Antioch, TN to visit our first cousin, Wayne and his wife, Ouida. Wayne is in the intermediate stage of Parkinson’s disease and is part of a research project at Vanderbilt looking at various options for treating the disease. Ouida fixed us a great lunch on Saturday before we all drove an hour east to look at Wayne and Ouida’s retirement property, 30-or-so beautiful wooded acres overlooking a gorgeous lake. There, we met up with another cousin whom we hadn’t seen in several years.
Wayne has a great attitude about his Parkinson’s. He sees his life as anything but over. He remains active, plays golf daily, still rides his horses, still works, still involved in the leadership of his church and still considers all he does as ministry. He and Ouida have raised three children to be Jesus lovers and productive citizens. Our time with the Thurmans and Holts was encouraging and renewing.
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One great blessing to my job as a truck driver is the absence of stress. Unlike most jobs I’ve had over the past 40 years, truck driving is relatively stress free. Once I make my deliveries each day, I forget about work. I don’t have committee meeting. I don’t supervise anyone. I am not responsible for budgets or productivity goals or customer satisfaction (as long as I make my deliveries on time). And as a result of no stress, I no longer suffer the physical effects that stress once induced. I sleep well at night, eat well (too well, at times) and get along better with others. I no longer run with sissors or cheat at checkers. Thanks to God, I am as content with day to day living as I have ever been.
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On this Father’s Day, my sons and wife honored me with wonderful gifts and sentiments. As I read my sons’ carefully composed notes, I kept wondering “who are they talking about?” Such gestures make all the strains of rearing children worth it. Watching our sons grow into good men is gratifying beyond words. Their lives alone are gifts enough to last a lifetime.
Please excuse me while I make a quick diversion to my son’s blog at www.harvestboston.net. He quotes another blog that hits at the issue of “church vs. poor.” The following thought sums up the writer’s experience.
I guess the poverty and church cultures repel each other. We somehow couldn’t do both. At least not real well.
I encourage to go read the blog then come back here and leave me your thoughts. How has your church done at connecting with the poor? What percentage of your church’s membership includes the truly poor? Do you have any thoughts on why the church hasn’t done a better job at connecting with the poor?
I have lots of time to think…while I drive, while I wait for my truck to be unloaded. In fact, driving a truck probably allows me more thinking time than any job I’ve had. At least, I’m taking greater advantage of the time to do more thinking.
What do I think about? Well, there are the usual things of family, sports, weather, etc. But I also spend a lot of time thinking about God, my purpose, the best use of my talents, and the like. Several things have dawned on me during these thinking spells.
Most people I know don’t spend much time thinking about the real important things in life. Most people let life happen to them rather than actively planning what their life will be. Most people don’t critically think about the dire consequences of following the patterns of this world. I wonder if people who drive Hummers, for example, really know or care about the problems their vehicles (and others like them) create for our world. I wonder if those who spend tens of thousands of dollars for home entertainment centers are aware of the people in their city who have barely enough money for only one sparse meal a day.
Most Christians don’t plan their lives around the mission of God; rather, they plan their lives based on their human wants and then work God in where they can. They choose their neighborhood based on personal likes and dislikes, convenience, comfort or safety, never once considering if this is where God might want them to live. Consider the number of believers who have chosen to live away from the real needy spots in our city. This happens because people don’t stop to think about the implications of their choices. And I can understand that; it’s so much easier to not think about those types of choices. To be honest, most of my choices are default choices considering only my wishes.
One thing I have been thinking about a lot lately is retirement (not that I’m anywhere near old enough!). But I have been thinking about where I might want to live when that time comes. Several options appeal to me. We could move back to New England where we spent nearly 20 wonderful years of our lives, near one of our children and among people we know and love. Or we could pick a part of the country known for its cheaper cost of living. Maybe central Kentucky near fishing lakes and family . I’d really like to buy a little place up in the Colorado Rockies away from the hustle of city life. There’s nothing wrong with any of the choices we have for retirement. But then again, maybe there is.
Perhaps it’s really not our choice as to where we live out our lives; maybe it’s the Father’s choice. Could it be that he might have a say in where we live our lives? Maybe it’s God’s will for us to live and die in Midtown Memphis (or some other part of this city) around people who need whatever degree of Godly influence we might offer. And maybe this principle applies to other ares of life…like how we spend our money, how we treat our bodies (can I really serve him best if I’m overweight or out of shape?), who we befriend or who we don’t.
I know this: I have lots of time to think, and frankly, sometimes I don’t like it! It makes me uncomfortable at times. But I believe God speaks in silence, and that requires I turn off XM, t.v., get alone and listen to the one who wants to direct my life.
Your thoughts?
 | Alan Miller on SiCKO |
 | Ed Baker City Or on First Trip is Over! |
 | Wayne Holt on Homer Hiccolm |
 | Nancy on Boston |
 | Ron Cook on Slow times |
