Observations from the Side Aisle

Much as I hate to credit

2008-09-30T13:56:00.000-07:00

Much as I hate to credit Rush Limbaugh:

He was speaking of “Change” on a recent program and posed the question: “What kind of change do we want?”

As a matter of personal opinion I want:
1). A better enforcement of laws on the books regarding illegal aliens and those who hire them.
2). Less intrusion of the Federal Government within matters of State Government.
3). Less intrusion of the Federal Government with regard to personal liberty.
4). Less intrusion of the Federal Government, period, with regard to any issue not specifically authorized them by the Constitution of the United States of America.
5). Better protection of our borders.
6). Out of the Iraqi war when it is reasonable to withdraw without sacrificing the investment we have put forth to date.
7). A stronger military, so we are in a better position to defend our national interests, should further needs arise.
8). More effective use of tax dollars sent to the Federal Government and less waste and pork.
9). A better social security system for ensuing generations without taking away the benefits I’ve spent the last 44 years contributing towards and relying upon to be available.
10). Medicare “ditto” with the exception that I’ve only been contributing for 42 years. Actually, I’d like to see available medical care to all without destroying what is arguably the best care available in the world or one’s choice as to how to receive it. Or being taxed out the wazoo to pay for it.
11). Elimination of programs that reward people who use welfare to provide for their livelihood rather than using them to provide interim support until they can get back on their feet and again become contributing members of society.
12). All those/my freedoms guaranteed me by the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America.
13). Protection of my interests (as an American Citizen) before my government involves itself (by funding or actions) in the interests of other countries.
14). The ability to drill for oil offshore or in ANWAR, to establish “wind farms” where most effective, to construct “pocket” nuclear power plants without gross government interference, etc.; all in an effort to reduce dependency on imported energy sources.
15). Federal judges to rule on the laws of our land as written and to not attempt “interpret” them in light of current thoughts or social mores. For judges to quit legislating and stare adjudicating, as is their charge.
16). Stricter non-selective enforcement for any and all those who break the laws or subvert them to further their own interests.
17). A better public education system that brings discipline back into the classroom, that allows teachers to teach and that holds them accountable for the quality of their instruction.
18). No more racism from any culture or community.All Americans are equal one to another, but no one should be “more” equal by virtue of past discrimination.

I could probably go on & on with this, but what’s the use. Guess you know how I’m going to vote this November.

A groaner

2008-07-27T12:42:00.000-07:00

At EFM last year we had several discussions about N. T. Wright or John Shelby Spong's "take" on any given theological position. As anyone who has read them both knows, their positions are almost diametrically opposed.

Anyway, I've just finished reading N. T. Wright's Judas and the Gospel of Jesus and at Church this a.m. ran into all three of the upcoming year four students in our EFM Class. I was so taken with the book's applicability to upcoming studies and its tying of years three and four together, I had to tell all that they really ought to read it before beginning year four. One of the three said that though he had read Wright he much perferred Spong, to which I had to reply: "Well, I guess you're either Wright or Spong."

Don't be groaning too loud, now.

Go in Peace, Peter

2008-07-03T07:16:00.000-07:00

Just caught up with the doings in Jerusalem by our brothers and sisters of the Global South, and am deeply saddened. You can read reports here and here.

I've for some time felt that P. Akinola (am hesitant to pay respect to his title) is a most dangerous person within our Anglican Communion. Reports from recent meetings and their "Jerusalem Declaration" go far to reinforce my thoughts. It seems "Lord Peter" is finally effecting what he's desired for some time, a split within the historic faith and a shot at being named archbishop of his own fiefdom.

I hope I've found God's peace and grace and am of the opinion that is the message, and the only message of our Lord Jesus Christ: "Love God and love your neighbor, as I love you." All else is "buttons". And, that's a hard message to follow.

For quite some time now, Akinola has exhibited far too much judgment and desire for power within his realm; and offered far too little peace, grace and forgiveness towards those with whom he disagrees. Over and over, from he and his followers, we have seen a distinct lack of charity to the detriment of those with whom they are in disagreement. IMHO that's what we are constantly warned against in the Book that Peter A. and his troop espouse to "uphold". His pronouncements are not the message of my Anglican faith, nor my understanding of the catholic faith for that matter.

However, if I learned little else in last year's EFM class; it's that these "turf wars" have existed since our beginnings. Man is called to establish his relationship with the Father based upon his limited knowledge of Him. Then I suppose the question becomes: "What is Peter and his follower's knowledge?" Not mine for sure and hopefully not that of many others.

We have long been counseled to beware of false prophets. Is Akinola a false prophet; quien sabe, who knows? In any case, my being afraid of having to make hard decisions, it appears that by Divine Providence, direction continues to be given. Thanks be to God.

The Hippie Dippy Weatherman

2008-06-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

Just saw that George Carlin died. I've enjoyed him since the 60's and though his later style was a tad crude, to be sure, he was funny; and had a great run making people laugh. I've got to believe God has a sense of humor; else wise, why do we have platypus'.

RIP George

Under the Baobab tree

2008-06-09T06:44:00.000-07:00

Just finished rewatching Evan Almighty last night with continued enjoyment. It’s become a semi-favorite because of the profound theological thoughts I see therein.

My most inspirational comes right at the end of the picture when Evan, having returned to his normal demeanor, is having one final conversation with God, beneath what I see as a Baobab tree. I know it’s not really, but I’m projecting symbolism. In that conversation Evan tells God: “I fought You every step of the way.” To which God replies: “Yes, but you obeyed Me.”

“I fought You.” “But you obeyed.” Powerful thoughts, particularly in terms of the Old Testament. No wonder I’m so taken with the Book of Job.

Princes, Kings and Queens

2008-05-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Our Order of Worship from Sunday just passed had a profound quote, worth sharing:

“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.”
Thomas A’Kempis

And, yesterday afternoon, as C. S. Lewis (esp. Narnia) fans, we had to go see Prince Caspian. Very enjoyable, though from recollection it doesn't follow the book as well as the first. I'm rereading it to confirm those thoughts. Reviews called it "darker" in tone and more violent than the The Lion, Witch & Wardrobe. Didn't see that. There was, however, severe underlighting at the very first part of the movie that made the beginning hard to visualize; and some of the dialogue, overridden by the sound track, seemed a bit difficult to follow.

But, all this was made up for in the scene where Caspian was urged by Nikabrik to bring back the White Witch. Without revealing a lot of what happens, the immagery following Edmund's rescue of Peter and Caspian, while keeping the White Witch at bay, is majestic beyond description. That moment, for followers of Narnia, is worth the price of admission unto itself.

So, where do I stand on the film? If you're a Narnian at heart you'll love it. Great filmmaking? Probably not. A good afternoon's entertainment for the family? Absolutely!

A question

2008-05-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

Exerpted from todays news:

Myanmar's military regime distributed international aid Saturday but plastered the boxes with the names of top generals in an apparent effort to turn the relief effort for last week's devastating cyclone into a propaganda exercise.

"We have already seen regional commanders putting their names on the side of aid shipments from Asia, saying this was a gift from them and then distributing it in their region," said Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, which campaigns for human rights and democracy in the country. "It is not going to areas where it is most in need," he said in London.

The junta has refused to grant access to foreign experts, saying it will only accept donations from foreign charities and governments, and then will deliver the aid on its own.

So rather than an observation today, I offer earnest questions:

What is the Christian response to this tragedy?

Should we provide means for the "Herodians" to further their power and position, knowing that almost all aid and comfort sent will not be provided to those most needy or rather withhold aid because of the same knowledge; or even work counter to the current administration and their directives in an effort to provide sustenence and care for the least of these, by force if necessary, knowingly circumventing the government and furthering the civil unrest?

Truly, I don't know.

You only have to die

2008-05-05T07:16:00.000-07:00

Went to see John, His Story at the theater last Saturday night. It was performed by Jeanette Clift George’s A D Players from Houston and was uber well done; her take on The Gospel of John in one act. Part of it really got me to thinking “outside the box”, as I am wont to do from time to time. In the 3rd chapter of John, Christ says: “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” I understand that conventional wisdom says this speaks to Baptism and is in fact the basis for that Sacrament.

A while back I also started a post on Robert Farrar Capon's Kingdom, Grace and Judgement that I never got around to finishing. I was struck by Capon’s thoughts regarding salvation. He emphasizes, more than once, the point that: "Death is absolutely all of the Resurrection we can now know. The rest is faith."

Which put into my head the song lyric: "You only have to die." Took me a good half hour to recall where that music was from. I kept thinking of a James Bond movie, but finally realized it's in Jesus Christ, Superstar, one of my favorite musicals. I continue to be awed by the profundity of Rice and Weber's music and lyrics, as I am likewise by Fr. Capon's theology.

I think where I'm going with this is that we are frequently blind to the true teachings of grace. No one, I repeat NO ONE, is going to make it:
1.) on their own works. It doesn't matter how good we are, we are all still sinful.
and
2.) without dying, accepting death, our actual physical death, in this world.
Both of those statements seem to be absolute truth.

What Capon was emphasizing is not live for today because tomorrow you have as good a shot as anyone at justification; but rather, that God found His creation so wonderful that He was willing to undertake the ultimate sacrifice to redeem it. For in truth, only He was capable of meeting the requirement of a perfect sacrifice.

Which finally brings me back to “being born again.” What do you suppose was John’s thought regarding that particular passage? An injunction to practice Baptism or rather possibly that only by the acceptance of physical death as we know it are we able to be born again into new life.

Quien sabe? “You only have to die.”

A God Moment

2008-04-14T14:49:00.000-07:00

I just experienced a God moment.

Wife & I went down to Houston Saturday to visit the son (who's a 1st year Law Student). Friday he completed and turned in the Appellate Brief for one of his classes which constitutes about 75% of the Semester's grade in that particular class. Following all that work he finally had part of a day he and the daughter-in-law could share with us. In Law School you really do work pretty hard and personal time is at a premium. We all enjoyed a nice dinner as well as brunch the next morning before returning home. It was quality time.

While driving home from the visit I was listening to a Johnny Russell CD (Greatest Hits) that has one of my favorite tunes on it - Catfish John. I made comment to the wife that probably one reason the song meant so much to me was that one of my friend Roscoe Johnson's nicknames was "Catfish." Rocky was well about 45 years older than I, a black man, and he and his wife "Lil" baby sat me as a child. He worked at our family business for 'nigh onto 35 years. "I was proud to be his friend." He died a bunch of years back and I was the sole white person at his well attended funeral. He and his wife had no natural children but adopted a baby girl (Roxanne) much later in life. She was the absolute apple of his eye and did my wife and I the great honor of inviting us to the renewal of her Wedding Vows several years back, long after both her parents had passed on.

Anyway, listening to the music driving back got me to reminiscing about Rocky and Roxanne. I've not had contact with Roxie (or her husband) since that Vow Renewal. But back to my God Moment. I answered the phone here at the office this afternoon and Roxie's husband was on the line, looking to find an item needed for the place where he now works. I was blown away. Having not seen, spoken of or even thought about them for several years until driving home yesterday while listening to a piece music, I get a phone call today.

All I can say is: "Thank You, Lord, for the personal contact." And Rocky: "Keep a Jax cold for us to share when we next meet up."

John 19:25-27

2008-03-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

Is a part of the Lectionary we read this Palm Sunday past. From the NIV:

“25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ 27and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”

Ever the skeptic, it intrigued me. Conventional wisdom says that Christ was referring to John (The Beloved) when speaking to His Mother saying “here is your Son.”, and to John when saying “Here is your Mother.” However, everything pointing to John being there seems to hinge upon the pronoun “his” in the passage: “this disciple took her into his home.”

I can find no other reference to the Apostles being at the Crucifixion and have always recognized Mary of Magdalene as a Disciple (note that I didn’t say Apostle). Searching out the Synoptics, I can’t find any passages to contradict John’s description of those near the Cross. Figured out where I’m headed with this, yet?

Here then, is my heresy. What’s to say that Christ wasn’t speaking to John but to Mary Magdalene when He said: “Here is your Mother.”? The earlier part of the passage can certainly be interpreted as Christ speaking to His Mother in regard to His condition, saying behold, “here is your Son”; rather than instructing Her the Disciple is to be taken as Her son.

Obviously as a disciple Mary was loved by Christ, and is shown to be one of His favorites. I don’t believe that could be argued either. But for the pronoun “His”, there seems only circumstantial support and tradition for Jesus’ speaking to John. I’m not smart enough to translate from the original Greek and even were I so, after 2.67 years of EFM I might be tempted to question the possibility of a recension or redaction somewhere along the line.

The question then becomes: “Where does that leave me?” Truly, I don’t know. What I do know; however, is that Christ was crucified for the redemption of God’s creation. In that simple statement I find the salvation of this world, myself included. And that’s really all that matters, isn’t it? So, I guess I’ll just go home and reread The DiVinci Code.

Location, Location, Location

2008-03-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

For as long as I can remember and probably as long as I’ve been Episcopalian, I’ve always sat on the Gospel side of center, at the side aisle, about a third of the way back from the crossing in whatever Church I was attending or visiting. Habits certainly die hard, don’t they?

We have long been members of the old downtown Parish here. Our Church was organized in 1868 and we’ve been in our current location and structure since 1879. That’s only 32 years after Texas Independence and three years after the end of the War of Northern Aggression. Over the years, our historic structure has had several additions since it was first built. It so happens that the extension of the Nave which occurred some many, many years back begins about a row or possibly two in front of where we sit. You can see the joint where the original flooring stopped and where the “new” flooring begins. There’s a seam across its entire width.

While attending Maundy Thursday Services last week, following Communion, during the Stripping of the Altar, my mind wandered a bit. In EFM we’re working on all the different Reformations in Europe in the 16th Century. This, in turn, caused me to consider that much like our house of Worship, I’m somewhere between the past and today: trying to remain faithful to our tradition and yet be cognizant of modern knowledge and reason. And no, I didn’t forget culture, it was omitted for purpose.

That faithfulness presents a hard line to walk, but then that’s probably why I embrace Anglicanism. The Elizabethan Settlement (aka the Via Media or “Middle Way”) seems a successful attempt at bridging differences in the practice of faith while remaining true to fundamental principles of Christianity. Would that we were so fortunate as to have that wisdom and guidance today we would be much the better for it.

Chocolate Eggs and Jesus Risen!

2008-03-24T08:26:00.000-07:00

Y'all all have a Happy Eastertide

So I was bored

2008-03-08T12:12:00.000-08:00

So I was bored and took yet another test which told me what I already knew about myself, or at least the way I see myself. Every time I try one of these evaluations I hope to gain some new insight but all I really receive is affirmation. Here it is for your reading pleasure:

Your score on this personality test was 45%

Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a longer time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

Personality Quiz
Take More Quizzes

Old Dogs and Children

2008-02-26T14:40:00.000-08:00

Two of my better friends each lost their dog just this past week. Those losses brought back memories and reopened wounds that had long since scabbed over. One died in her Mom & Dad's arms at home of old age while the other; old likewise, was with those who loved her but at the Vet's having to be put down. It was hard for each of them to say goodbye, as it was hard for me to drop each of them a note of condolence and offer what thoughts as I might. At various times I have been in each of their shoes myself.

Over a year ago Barbaro was put down and I referred to it in a post. People are either animal people or they're not. I am.

I've always found compassion and love in animals while it has not often been so in people. That's probably why I identified with my friends' loss and why it was so important yet difficult to say the right thing. But, I'm fairly certain each appreciated my comments. To often we hear: "It was just a pet, get over it." But only from one who has not been in relation with one of God's creatures.

I feel compelled to post the words of George McDonald, the Scottish poet, writer and Christian minister:

"I know of no reason why I should not look for the animals to rise again, in the same sense in which I hope myself to rise again--which is, to reappear, clothed with another and better form of life than before. If the Father will raise His children, why should He not also raise those whom He has taught His little ones to love? "Love is the one bond of the universe, the heart of God, the life of His children: if animals can be loved, they are lovable; if they can love, they are yet more plainly lovable: love is eternal; how then should its object perish? Must the love live on forever without its object? Or, worse still, must the love die with its object, and be eternal no more than it? "Is not our love to the animals a precious variety of love? And if God gave the creatures to us, that a new phase of love might be born in us toward another kind of life from the same fountain, why should the new life be more perishing than the new love? "Can you imagine that, if, hereafter, one of God's little ones were to ask Him to give again one of the earth's old loves--kitten, or pony, or squirrel, or dog, which He had taken from him, the Father would say no? If the thing was so good that God made it for and gave it to the child at first who never asked for it, why should He not give it again to the child who prays for it because the Father had made him love it? What a child may ask for, the Father will keep ready."

Now, y'all go home, hug your pets a little tighter and give them a treat. They deserve it.

Sure and certain hope

2008-02-19T10:15:00.000-08:00

Several years back, when my father died a few years following my mother's death, I was approached by the Minister who was going to do his Service. The "Old Man" wasn't from a liturgical tradition as I have long been, consequently I was asked if there was anything I specifically wanted included in his (the Minister's) "words". I requested only that he make use of our Prayer of Commendation (you know, the one about our "sure and certain hope..."). I'm not really "down" with why I felt it important that particular prayer be said at a Baptist Graveside Service, but I felt it necessary. I suppose it's because those are words which provide me comfort from time to time, not solely during funerals.

Yesterday I was listening to a bit of "talk radio" while on the way to the Post Office and one of the callers was speaking to the use of the word "hope". His comments were not germane here; however, his and its definition were.

Hope - a trust and reliance upon God following our putting forth our own best efforts. A belief that a positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary, a spiritual grace. After we've done all we are capable of, hope is God's promise to do the rest. All we must do is allow it.

That struck a responsive chord and I suppose that's why those words hold such importance.

Grace & Peace, y'all

2008-01-25T07:53:00.000-08:00

At EFM the other night we were doing Theological Reflection on the passage from Matthew 13:44-46 (you know, about the Hidden Treasure in the field and the Pearl of great price).

I have long heard this parable preached as relating to our discovery of The Kingdom. However, the thought process within our EFM group is sometimes unconventional, to say the least. Anyway, one of our Mentors, in referring to John Claypool's take on this parable blew me away. He offered up Claypool's thought that possibly the field with the hidden treasure and the pearl referred to us, ourselves; while the man finding the treasure/pearl was God. To me, yet another description of Grace.

I've heard it said "all preachers only have three sermons" and that each time they speak is only a conceptual modification of one of those three sermons previously given. Were I "of the cloth," I suppose one of my sermons must would be on Grace. Having come to know the concept it seems I now see God's Grace everywhere and focus on it, often to the exclusion of other facets of the Faith. Perhaps that's why I was so taken with Claypool's image. But then, conservative as I am, I've never been accused of being conventional.

Grace & Peace, y'all.

Good Bad & Ugly

2008-01-11T12:09:00.000-08:00

Let's see; on Sunday past the wife went to the Clinic and found she had an infected finger; no great big deal but the medico did need to deaden it to open it up and then put her on antibiotics. Later that day she took the son back to Houston so he could get ready for second semester of Law School, year one. Jr. was a little nervous because he was awaiting first semester grades. I believe it was Wednesday that all the grades finally made it in and (no surprise to a proud papa) he made Dean's List. His sister called from NOLA that same afternoon with the news that she had been asked to shoot (photograph) a friend for a small article in Bon Appetite (proud papa speaking again). It would have been her first time to be published nationally. Yesterday, I was asked to allow myself be nominated to our Parish's Exec. Committee (even more snaps). About 3:30 pm I was feeling more than a little satisfied with how the week was going. Following a Finance Committee meeting at Church I made it home by 7:00. Whereupon, I found out that the daughter's shoot was cancelled about 30 minutes before it was scheduled. Also, that afternoon, the wife had accidentally bumped (hard) her foot (that was operated on 5 months prior) into a chair leg and it looks like she might have broken a bone. Finally, daughter called later that evening saying a good friend of her's was miscarrying at something like 4 1/2 months. Very quickly, the week had gone from good, to bad, to ugly.

But such is the way of life, isn't it? Wouldn't suggest our week was much worse than any other's, but you might have had a hard time arguing that point with us last night. One minute you're on the mountain top and the next you're deep in the valley.

Not really sure of the point I'm going for here; but just perhaps, it's enjoy to the utmost your time on the plains.

Serendipity

2008-01-02T07:27:00.000-08:00

Was talking to the daughter last afternoon and she told me about a serendipitous moment she had just experienced while online. Goes like this:

It seems that she had just gotten a notification from one of the airline companies that some 40,000 of her miles were due to expire due to inactivity on the account. Obviously not wanting that to happen she went online to donate 1,000 or so of the miles to cause activity and keep her mileage current. While doing so she was also surfing around some photography sites (have I mentioned she's a starving professional photographer?) and found that a free workshop was being offered, on how to establish your photography business, to the first respondent. So, she popped off an email. As fate would have it she was the first to reply, thus receiving a scholarship to a workshop she was really interested in.

I've long said that "No good deed goes unpunished." I guess this time that's inaccurate. In blessing others she also was blessed.

Have I mentioned that the name of the website was, in part: "Pay It Forward?" He works in mysterious ways, No?

Y'all have a happy & prosperous New Year.

Kinky quotes

2007-12-14T06:32:00.000-08:00

I'm a collector of thoughts. When listening or reading I seem to hear profound truths from time to time and like to keep them for future contemplation.

Have recently finished Kinky Friedman's Cowboy Logic. Here are a few of my favorites:

“It may not be the easy way,
but it’s the cowboy way.”

“Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned.
Love is given.”

“Hang on tight, spur hard,
and let ‘er buck.”

“Find out what you like and let it kill you.”

“Be yourself - that way you never have to remember who you are."

“The judge of who is a cowboy should be
God and little children.”

And finally, our City is in a bit of a "to do" over a proposed statue for the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum located here. Lots of Letters to the Editor and opinions on both sides of the issue. A young lady (about 14) wrote the local daily and queried the following:

"Whatever you do, always ask yourself:
'Would the Alamo defenders have died for that'?"

There is wisdom all around us, No?

Reflective

2007-12-10T06:59:00.000-08:00

Seems I always become more reflective around Christmas. I've been told it's "the nature of the beast." Guess it has something to do with missing some of the carefree times of my youth when Grandparents exhibited unconditional love, unconditionally; when all the family got together to bake cookies for Christmas gifts to Grandaddy's customers, and when a kid had no responsibility other than to be a kid.

Much of our extended family always came together one weekend each Advent, for companionship and baking. We all ate homemade chili and Grandmother's Tamale Pie and baked hundreds of dozens of different kinds of cookies. Those were good times. Times have changed and we've moved on to other traditions and currently the family's not together that often; but, "the good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise," given time even this will pass.

Y'all enjoy your Advent and look forward with anticipation to His birth.

Rodeo Tough

2007-11-28T16:01:00.000-08:00

For no good reason, a phrase from long ago drifted thru my mind the other morning. “Rodeo Tough”, it took me back about 40 years or so and I’ve seldom heard it since. Now days the catch phrase seems to be “cowboy up”. But, in my mind, they don’t equate.

From first hand experiences, “rodeo tough” is dislocating your riding shoulder on a head of rough stock Friday night, jamming it back in place behind the chutes, loading up, going on down the road, being up on another bull the next day and taking him to the buzzer. It’s going to the hospital to get a bone set and cast and then hurrying on to the next “show” ‘cause you’ve already paid your entry and you know you can still ride hurt. It’s a 135 lb. cowboy-clown-bullfighter putting himself between a bucked off cowboy and an 1800 lb. bull and taking a real beating because “that’s his job”; sacrificing himself to keep another cowboy safe. In short, it’s doing what has to be done, irregardless the cost, how broke up you are or how much the pain you’re in when the chute gate opens because that’s how you’ve learned to live your life. No-Matter-What!

Today’s rodeo cowboys still have a “get-r-done” attitude and do play hurt. They’ll “cowboy up” and give a better try than most because that’s their nature. But, rodeo’s changed over the years and today’s cowboys are athletes. They take care of their bodies and don’t seem as prone to take the extreme chances as their predecessors did before them. Probably, that’s a good thing because you don’t see as many hands ruined for life being that they’re too stupid to take any care of themselves and instead just tough it out. However, I miss the old time attitude. It strikes me as much the same thing that made our country great: “Damn the Torpedoes, Full Steam Ahead!” Don’t hear that any longer, either.

The grey middle way

2007-11-11T13:43:00.000-08:00

Spent yesterday out of town at a Diocesan meeting to "profile" our next Bishop Co-Adjutor (election presumed to be upcoming in May or June of next year). It was interesting in that I was seated at a table with 6 staunch conservatives. I guess they needed a designated moderate.

I was pleased in the way the profile workshop took place. Only uncomfortable times were:

1) When I was asked what I meant about a comment regarding the Via Media,
and
2) When I was asked what I thought a definition of traditional family values was.

In both cases my answers were something along the lines of: "I can't really define it/them but I know when I see it/them." Guess someone was trying to put me in a box but I've long ago given up being boxed in anywhere. When I was young I could see things as black or white; but eyesight seems to dim with age and all I seem to get now are varying shades of grey. Maybe I should have used that as a definition of the "middle way".

Brazos Valley Boys

2007-11-08T06:46:00.000-08:00

News from yesterday is that Country Music Legend Hank Thompson, a native Wacoan & graduate of Waco High School died at age 82 in Ft. Worth. Ironically his last performance was in Waco at the Heart of Texas Fair just this past month. I'm sorry now that I missed seeing him though they had him scheduled Monday at 5:30 pm. which is a rotten time for any performer. With work, I just didn't seem able to make it. That makes two of my favorite performers I missed seeing in person and won't have another chance to do so, Bob Wills being the first.

Hank is best known for his classic "Wild Side of Life". He never played Waco in those days, I'd been told it stemmed back to resentments he had from High School. His classmates supposedly made fun of his interest in country music and he couldn't put it behind him. Even in your teens you can be seriously injured by your peers.

Each time Bob played around here it seemed someone else special was performing too. Since The Playboys were more or less "local" and the others weren't, we felt like we'd catch them next time. Yeah, well next time finally turned into a stroke for Bob; so he and The Texas Playboys went down as an opportunity missed ... and regretted.

Every time I hear music by Hank or Bob or any other of the "Legends" of the era, I'm transported back to another time and place. It was classic Honky Tonkin' and we polished many a belt buckle to some great music. But, to quote Ray Price from a previous post: "Time takes no prisoners, and nothing but time marches on."

Y'all don't miss any opportunities, you never know what tomorrow may hold.

Grace appears in the strangest of places

2007-10-30T06:24:00.000-07:00

I'm one of those emailers who is always filling up your mailbox with things I find interesting. Probably a bunch of it is dumped, but now and then something does have attention paid to it.

Yesterday I emailed a group of Episcopal friends as well as the Episcopal portion of my EFM group a humorous snippet about Episcopalians that resonated with me. It reportedly was adapted from an essay by Garrison Keillor.

This morning I got back an email from one of my EFM group who said in part:

"...On a more serious note, this paragraph hit home - I do believe this, people: Episcopalians, who love to sing in four-part harmony are the sort of people you could call up when you're in deep distress. If you are dying, they will comfort you. If you are lonely, they'll talk to you. And if you are hungry, they'll give you tuna salad!

I will expound on this ... but suffice to say, 'I saw all of this and more given to a close relative, by a church that had never set eyes upon her before she barged into their parish and cared for her until her death. If ever there was a way to illustrate grace, this would be it'."

How about that, I sent out a funny that returned to me a sermon. Guess you never can tell when you'll be struck by Grace.

Shutting Doors

2007-10-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

Let's see; following their latest Council Meeting, the Diocese of Ft. Worth is now in line to join the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and San Joaquin, moving towards disassociation with TEC. The House of Bishops communique wasn't deemed sufficient for them.

Most recently, the Diocese of California in convention has approved three rites for trial usage, blessing same gender couple's unions, and is urging their Bp. to approve them. Seems they weren't satisfied with what came out of the H.O.B's Meeting either and have decided to take matters into their own hands, too.

So, despite the Church's leadership attempting to keep our TEC from walking off a precipice, the laity is still hell bent on marching straight into oblivion. I'm most fearful other Dioceses will also follow, according to their leanings.

I remember reading and saving a definition of the Elizabethan Settlement once as:
“… via media was the term applied to the Elizabethan Settlement of the 1550’s. … She (Elizabeth) set aside her personal preferences in hopes of gaining national unity and peace. The ‘middle way’ was applied to elements not essential to one’s salvation.

The brilliance of the Elizabethan Settlement was in the way it incorporated various Catholic and Protestant ideas of worship into a single entity. The middle road accepted divergent ideas on items of less importance, ...

… It was not having a large table with room for everyone and every view. … The historic middle way was not a compromise between competing theories about God. It was … ‘not a bridge but a causeway.’ It did not join together two differing religions but was a way through the middle ground of the one true religion. The historic via media did not open new doors to a new Church, but allowed entry through several doors to the same Church.”

I see us all as sinful before God and theologically don't differentiate between those of a greater or lesser nature. Distinguishing between sins mortal & venal is an exercise in futility, IMHO. By denying sinners access to the Church we immediately become unable to seat anyone in the pew.

So my question is: "Why can't we take time to 'do the theology' on these issues that divide us before we begin closing and locking doors on each other?"