The Coat

 I have already received several emails this Christmas season with life lessons learned in each one. This one is no different. Read the following then I will comment at the end.

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma.
I was just a kid.
I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big
sister dropped  the bomb:
"There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know  that!"
My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been.
I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me.
I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always
went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous
cinnamon buns.
I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so.
It had to be  true.
Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm.
Between bites, I  told her everything. She was ready for me.
"No Santa Claus!" she  snorted. "Ridiculous!
Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around  for years, and it
makes me mad, plain mad.
Now, put on your coat, and  let's go."
"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked.
I hadn't even finished my second world-famous, cinnamon bun.
"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store,
the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything.
As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.
That was a bundle in those days.
"Take this money," she said,  "and buy something for someone who needs
it.  I'll wait for you in the car."
Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.
I was only eight years old.
I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for
anything all by myself.
The store seemed big and crowded, full of  people scrambling to finish
their Christmas shopping.
For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-
dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.
I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the
kids at school, the people who went to my church.
I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker.
He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me
in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.   Bobby Decker didn't have a coat.
I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter.
His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough,
but all we kids knew that,
Bobby Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat.
I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement.
I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!
I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it.
It looked real warm, and he would like that.
"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter
asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.
"Yes," I replied shyly. "It's ... for Bobby."
The nice lady smiled at me.
I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a
Merry Christmas.
That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and
ribbons (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible)
and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa  Claus",  on it --
Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy.

Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went
that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept
noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave
me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."
I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the  present down
on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open.
Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.
Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering,
beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes.

That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were
just what Grandma said they were:  "Ridiculous".
Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the tag tucked inside:  $19.95.

This is not my story, but I did experience one much like it several years ago. The difference being my family and I were the recipients. If God, no when God lays that name on your heart, follow through. If you don't, you may miss all that God has for you this entire season.

Okay, so Thursday was a rough day. We said our first good-bye to my son-in-law, the next will come the day after Christmas.

Tuesday his battalion  was given a great deployment ceremony. A very patriotic and moving experience. Thursday morning the event was much more subdued. A simple formation, the unit commander spoke, then the last few minutes with the families then out to their aircraft.

We stood and watched as they started the big engines and then the rotor blades, and then moved into flight formation and then they took off.  I am still awed by the sound of the engines and the skill that it takes to lift that UH-60 Blackhawk into the air, rotate it then move forward to a specific spot and then all lift off at the same time and move forward to their destination.

Here is a snippet of the sights and sounds of the morning.

This is video

Good By Tears Revisited

It pains to me to write this blog. Once again and way to soon we are having to prepare for another deployment. A lot has changed in the 2 1/2 years you have been home from the last one. Cayden is now older and more aware and there  has been another addition with Grayson our 16th month old. I am trying to grasp your feelings from a father and husband point of view but I can just only imagine the turmoil of emotions you are in. Of course I don't won't to forget to add the loss of your dad so close to this event and leaving your mom to handle those things on her own. I just sat down and wondered just how much you might be able to handle emotionally.

I can offer you no more than the Word of God for comfort and if I thought you looked elsewhere or not at all for help I couldn't bear it.

As before, Shirley, Cathy and I will be here to help wherever it is needed. We will try to see ahead with God's vision what needs to be done and get taken care of.

No matter what you see outwardly, we are all crying inside with you. No out of fear, but out of longing for you to go and hurry back. The stress of anticipation has been great and at times it shows it's ugly head, but don't give into it, for He that is in you is greater than the one who wishes to cause you and your family harm.

Shirley and I thank God everyday that you are the husband to our daughter and the father to 2 wonderful grandsons, and we love you like you are our own. I leave you with this from Psalm 18:

..."The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me, who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you among the nations O Lord; I will sing praises to your name."

Go now with our prayers and the prayers of many others. Be safe and return to us soon.

Family Time

Last night was a fun night! Shirley and I went with Sonia, JD and the boys to the Mississippi State Fair. Jay was off on an adventure of his on with his Sunday School teacher and his "girlfriend". That is another story all it's own. We had a really good time. The air was crisp and weather this year, DRY, unlike last year.

 It is so much fun when you take the little one's especially when they are very young and are just noticing things. The midway was seemingly very interesting to Grayson. The flags flapping in the wind and the lights and sounds that he just couldn't quite take all in. Cayden is older now and enjoys the smaller rides. Well, at least some of them.

There is a boat ride that isn't that much fun. I know this from experience! I was duped into riding with Cayden a year or too ago and neither of us liked it then. But for some reason last night, he thought he wanted to ride it. He may have, if the ride had started quicker, but it took some time for the operator to get it going and then "the look" came across Cayden's face. The look of fear, and I don't want to do this, please help me. I turned to his mother and told her I thought he wanted off. Sure enough the tears began to roll. As mother's do, Sonia went flying up to the ride and rescued her baby. I think he suddenly realized that none of us was going to ride it with him and he became afraid.

When a minister (preacher) sees something like this he may think there is a sermon somewhere in there. Well, I am no preacher but I did spot a life lesson.

You and I often run upon situations that make us afraid. Life is not fair a lot of the time. We look at our circumstance become afraid, look to see who is there to ride with us and discover  no one is and then we look for someone to rescue us. There is someone waiting to rescue us, our Heavenly Father. God tells us in his word, that we shouldn't be afraid, we should trust Him. We will still have our circumstance to work through but "you can trust Him". Trust Him to ride the ride with you and to be your rescuer.

Last night Cayden's rescuer was his mother, but I hope that we are able to teach him to not have fear that God is always near him, holds him to His chest, and will rescue him if necessary.

Hoping you trust Him,

Consider the Consequences

When you:
Choose to hate...
Choose to steal ...
Choose to be unfaithful...
Choose to kill...
Choose to tear down...
Choose to dishonor...

Consider the consequences first

The Mosque

I will just tell you up front that I am breaking ranks with a lot of folks on this, but common sense has been lost in the debate. Let me also state that I am conservative in my views on religion, politics and life. I lean more to libertarian views than republican. I have become convinced that the 2 party system is failing and is nothing about this country and the benefits to it's citizens, it is about who has power and what can we do with it.

Now back to the mosque. If you are of the persuasion that it shouldn't be built because it is a mosque or because of it's Islamic religion then maybe you haven't considered the consequences to opposing it's being built. Would you want to be told you can't build the church of your religion on property you own if it is in the proper zoning area? I don't think we would. So, if we succeed to stop this renovation and conversion, however ill advised it may be, then we run the risk of just that happening. Our nation's constitution, guarantees us the right to the free expression of religion, so, do we want that right revoked? Is if fair that I get my way for my beliefs but they can't theirs? Does that mean that Mormon's, Buddhist, and Hindus, can't do as they wish because our beliefs differ? Grant it none of those were involved on the worst attack in American history, but does that mean that every Muslim is dangerous? Are we closing down churches that preach the Nazi views and have the swastika incorporated as their symbol? Not unless it can be proven that particular church is involved in plotting violence against the people or government of America. Anyway just how close is it to the site of the World Trade Center? You can't even see ground zero from the proposed mosque site.

I believe that people's feelings are still very raw over the attacks of 9/11 and if Islam is a true religion of peace, then it would be more sensitive to the situation at hand. But if they choose not to be then they have a fundamental, constitutional right to worship as they see fit and that is all any of us really want. The constitution provides protections against a majority mob rule and for that I am thankful. So, before we jump into the hot skillet, we should pray, think and pick our battles wisely.

Time has flown since my last post. It just seems the older I get the more time fleets by. This morning I awoke around 4. I don't know why really, but that has occurred the last three or four nights. As I lay in bed quietly listening to my wife's rhythmic breathing, my thoughts moved to a song that we are working on for church, "At Your Mercy Seat". The title caught my eye and I just had to hear it and read the lyrics. What a powerful song.

From every stormy wind that blows, from every swelling tide of woes,

There is a calm, a sure retreat found beneath the mercy seat.

There is a place where Jesus sheds the oil of gladness on our heads,

A place that all beside more sweet; it is the blood bought mercy seat.

Chorus

I will come, I will bow down, pour my burdens at Your feet;

I will come, I will bow down at Your mercy seat.

There is a scene where spirits blend, where friend holds fellowship with friend;

Though sundered far, by faith they meet around one common mercy seat.

Chorus

I will come, I will bow down, pour my burdens at Your feet;

I will come, I will bow down at Your mercy seat.

There on eagles wings we soar, and sin and sense molest no more;

And heaven comes our souls to greet while glory crowns the mercy seat.

Chorus

I will come, I will bow down, pour my burdens at Your feet;

I will come, I will bow down at Your mercy seat.

Have a Great Day

Let Freedom Ring!!!!

This Sunday the male quartet I sing in at church will be singing the song "Let Freedom Ring". We have practiced this for several weeks getting ready to really let it "RIP" for July 4th at church. The song reminds us of that heartbeat of desire for freedom in everything alive. No matter the oppression, that desire lurks beneath the surface of every being on earth. The song reminds us also of the sacrifices made by so many whether through death or by their participation in securing our freedoms by walking up to the gates of hell so others won't have to. Those reminders are necessary or we will take our freedoms for granted and loose them altogether.

The song also reminds us that Christ walked up to the gates of hell, unlocked the door, and left it open so that souls, that believed in His blood redemption, could not longer be held captive by Satan and his minions. He bought our freedom with His sacrifice upon the cross and stamped pardon on our souls.

Oh, I hope that all of you reading this have experienced that freedom. Without it, all the civil freedoms we now enjoy most certainly will have less meaning.

Go to worship Sunday, honor our freedoms by honoring and worshiping the Christ who makes them all possible.

"The Living Bible"

I haven't posted in long while. Generally, I am moved by an event or something I hear or read and I have an opinion to write. I have had quite a dry spell lately and time has just been limited.

The other day I received an email that caused a stirring deep in my soul. I had to look inward and be honest about how I might respond in this situation. I am going to reprint it here but don't know where it originated so if you are the author let me know and I will give you credit.

If you have read it before, then let the Spirit stir in you once again. If you have never read this, then I suggest you get some tissue before beginning.

"The Living Bible"
His name is Tom. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it,
jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire
four years of college.

He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a
Christian while attending college.

Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative
church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not
sure how to go about it.

One day Tom decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his
T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Tom starts down the aisle looking for a seat.

The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now,
people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says
anything.
Tom gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he
realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.

By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is
thick.

About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the
church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Tom .

Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a
three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very
courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward thisboy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.

How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?

It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.

The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane.
All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.

And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With
great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Tom and
worships with him so he won't be alone.

Everyone chokes up with emotion.

When the minister gains control, he says,'What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.'

'Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will
ever read!'

That last phrase reminds me of a chorus to a song I sing ever so often:
"'Cause you're the only Jesus some will ever see. And you're the only words of life some will ever read. So let them see in you the one in whom is all they'll ever need. You're the only Jesus, some will ever see".

Grandparents

After marrying and our children were added to our family, I always heard the saying, "Just wait until those grandchildren come". I thought people were nuts, because all I could think about was getting mine grown. Well, as always with old sayings, I found this saying to be true, but this post is not about my grandchildren although I believe I could write pages if I had the time. This time I would like to tell you about my grandmother. A woman that has lived long enough to see the 5th generation.

Lillian, as her friends and family know her, is my ma maw. Being so young the first time I saw her, she was quite blurred. Later she would come into full focus. I wish I could write a novel about her, but sadly I don't know all I would like to know about her, but I will try to tell you what I do know.

She was raised in the Mississippi delta. If you have never been there, it is quite the dreary place in the winter. The farm land stretches for miles and is almost void of trees except for the occasional bayou along the way. In the early 1900's it was a tough place to make a living. Many folk there were sharecroppers working on the land owned by others and sharing in the harvest to support their families. It was hard and it was hot.

There, is where my grandmother met and married my grandfather. There, is where she birthed and raised 5 boys. She helped work the farm and cooked and cleaned for the seven of them.

My first remembrance of her was at the age of 4 or 5. She and papaw lived near us at that time. The first gift they gave me, at least the one I can remember, was a puppy. She was named princess and stayed with us for several years. As you can tell I have never forgotten her.

Ma maw was then and still is a woman of small stature. Her height may be 4'8" , but she stands taller than her physical size. She became an LPN(Licensed Practical Nurse). She worked in the hospital setting as well as for a family dr. Her's was the last face I saw in the hall when I went into surgery for my tonsils to be removed. She was the one to tell me to drop my drawers to see how bad I had chicken pox. (that may be more than you want to know) She could cook the best biscuits in the world. You know the kind. They were made with Lard and cooked in an iron skillet in the oven. I long for that taste again.

As I grew older, distance and responsibilities got in the way of taking time to see her, but when I did she always welcomed me with a big hug.

Ma maw now is in her 90's and time has not been so good to her. Her memory is not good anymore. She cannot recall my name even though she says she knows me. We have lost her mind and her memories. Those things she never told us will never be told. The things, places and people she once knew will never be known again. One day, maybe not today or tomorrow, but much too soon, she will leave us. She will leave us with regrets. Regrets that we didn't take, no, make time to be near her when we could have. Regrets that we didn't get those memories out of her mind and into ours to carry and pass on to future generations.

I don't know all I wish I did, but I know enough. It is enough to know her and to love her.

A Thought for the New Year

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:20(NIV)

Are we ashamed? Do we (I) have courage?

While channel surfing last night during commercial breaks, I ran across a movie on TBN. It caught my attention, because a guy was heckling another guy in a diner about being a Christian. He also would insult him by calling him Jesus. It was obvious that the heckler was trying to make the Christian mad so he could prove the point he was trying to make, that all Christians where "hypocrites". The Christian young man eventually responded very quietly and caring about God's love for him. No matter what he said, the heckling continued and even got to the point I thought the guy(heckler) was going to hit him (Christian). When the food for the Christian arrived, he did however reach and pick it up and messed up the plate.

After all that, the Christian young man stood and faced the heckler and told him, God loved him. The heckler went ballistic, giving all the reasons why he shouldn't believe that God loved him. His dad left when he was young, and his mom had to scrub toilets and he was in and out of jail and he was only 32.

When he finished his tirade, the Christian young man turned toward the door and handed the diner owner his payment for the food he was unable to eat. The group noticed that he was walking. They rushed to the counter to pay for their food so they could chase after the Christian.

The diner owner told them it wasn't necessary but they insisted. He said it wasn't necessary and they asked, "Why"? "Because the guy you were calling Jesus paid for your bill in full". They all three stood stunned.

Although I have been a Christian since the age of six, those words still hit me in the face. "Your bill is paid in full".

Because Christ has paid the bill in full, why aren't we (I) more courageous in living our life that it is known that by the way we walk, live, and breathe that we are his. And when death does finally come knocking at our door others will say as they did on this tombstone in 1856...

To the memory of our Father Anderson West, Born Dec.5 1790 in Greenville, SC
"After eight years of Job like suffering, died the death of the Righteous May 11, 1856. His prominent traits of character were, Faith, Hope, and Charity. Supported by an inflexible will and determination, his answers were Yea and Nay. Never in his eventful life using profanity or wicked epithets, and avoiding all manner of intemperance, acting upon the principle that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose".

Dear God, help me to determine to live according to your purpose. To have the courage to stand for you this year and the years to follow that I am allowed to be here. Amen