Oh How I Hate To See October Go.....

We have finally come to the end of October, I have been waiting for almost a month to share this with you. I have always loved October. Maybe it’s because I was born in October, maybe it’s because I love October weather so much, it is traditionally the month with the least rainfall and most sunshine, according to what I have heard on The Weather Channel. Perhaps it is because of the warm sunny days and the frosty cool evenings, maybe it is because of the excitement of The World Series (not that the Cubs have ever been there) or High School football and homecoming. Maybe it is because of the harvest or the excitement of Octoberfest. It could even be the thrill of seeing the annual running of “It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” I guess I don’t know for sure, but all I know for certain is that I really love October and am always sad to see it go.

Which brings me to the Barry Manilow Song “When October Goes.” If you are married to someone who loves Barry Manilow as much as Karen does, you have basically two choices, make peace with Barry, or spend a life of suffering. I chose to make peace with him a long time ago. The reality is that I have always enjoyed Barry’s music. Don’t tell Karen, but I really never minded going to his concerts all that much. But, out of all of his hit songs, there has been one rather obscure song that has always been my favorite and that is the song “When October Goes.” The interesting thing about this song is that Karen was watching an interview on television with Barry one day and he was asked, out of all of his songs, which one was his favorite and guess which one he picked? No, not “Mandy!” He picked “When October Goes.” So sit back and enjoy my favorite and Barry’s favorite Barry Manilow song and when he gets to the last verse, you will understand exactly how I am feeling today!

“I should be over it now I know, It doesn't matter much how old I grow, I hate to see October go.”

Blessings
I will tell you my favorite Barry Manilow concert story tomorrow and then after that I will tell you about my adventure at the psychologists office, oh my you will want to hear about that one!

A Dog Named Lucky

There must be something about dogs here lately. God must be trying to get my attention about my little four legged friends. Maybe it has something to do with having just finished doing some reading about Saint Francis of Assisi. (the Patron Saint of Animals) Anyway, my friend Don sent this story to me and I thought that it was priceless. By the way the picture is of Rosco and Bosco. These were Karen’s dogs before Odie came along, and as you can see in the picture below, they helped to watch over Mary and keep her safe when she was a baby. Now Mary and Andrew just like to drag them around by their ears. (They said that they really don’t mind) Enjoy the story of Lucky!

A Dog Named Lucky

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.'

Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.

Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. She was terribly afraid and something made her feel that she was going to die from this disease....in fact, she was certain in her mind that it would be fatal. With fear and trembling riding on her shoulders, she called the Doctor to schedule the double mastectomy.

The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked her husband Jim, he was truly Mary's dog through and through. “If I die, Lucky will feel abandoned,” Mary thought. “He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him.” The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The appointed time came and the surgery was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated. Mary ended up being hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, and moped around, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom.

Jim did what he could to make his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to take a nap and get some much needed healing rest. Lucky stood watching over Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke up she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when she realized the problem. She was totally covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day.

It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember....live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God

Blessings

Tring to Stay Warm in Ohio!

It is a good feeling to know that the difficult part of my school week is now over. My papers are turned in for this week and now, other than reading, I am prepared for my classes tomorrow. I will mention that I received the grade today for my mini sermons that I got hammered so hard over. The first was a B (that was the one nobody liked) and the second was an A-. I guess that isn’t too bad, but it does mean that I will have to work extra hard for my major sermon which I have to give next week.

It is certainly getting colder over here in Ohio. I have noticed over the years that there can be a significant difference between the temperatures here in Columbus OH and home. But that’s ok, I am ready. I have my winter coat with me so even if it snows, which it did flurry a bit this morning, I am going to be ready. The only thing that I didn’t bring on this trip is my winter hat. A couple of years ago, I splurged and got one of those fur lined hats. I think I have seen them referred to as Mad Bomber hats. When Terri’s husband Josh saw me in it, he said that he didn’t think that he could look at me without laughing. Well, most people don’t laugh, (at least not to my face) but I will say that I certainly get a lot of complements on it such as, “it sure looks warm”, or “I would like to have a hat like that.” Do you suppose that they are just humoring the old guy in the funny hat?

When you get to be my age, you stop worrying about, or caring , for that matter, what other people think. All I know is that when I am wearing that hat, my poor bald head and ears stay nice and toasty warm. And besides, I have always hoped that I could live long enough to embarrass my kids as much as they embarrassed me when they were little. Aren’t paybacks great?

Blessings

Another Sunday Night!

It is now Sunday night, almost 10:00PM. I have finished the major presentation that I have to give tomorrow night in United Methodist Polity class, and now I just need to write the three page reflection paper based on the autobiography of Howard Thurman (a well known African American preacher who lived throughout most of the 1900’s) At least I have some idea of the direction that I intend to go with it which is always half the struggle for me.

This week I also have a meeting with my El Salvador class. Before Wednesday afternoon, I have a book on Latin American social struggles that I need to read. Right now I am thinking that I will get the chance to start it around 1:00 PM Wednesday afternoon. That gives me 4 hours before class, which should be just about right, it’s only 139 pages.

This week on Thursday, I get to (read have to) go up to Indianapolis and have a complete psychological evaluation done. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Actually, I had to go through one earlier in the ministerial process, and it really wasn’t all that bad, but I must say it is very extensive and painfully time consuming. I have to be there by 9:00AM and I don’t expect to leave up there until after 3:00 PM. I guess the good news, is that you can take heart and know that all Methodist ministers are sane. (Ok maybe I shouldn’t go there)

I can’t believe that October is almost over. The good thing is that I have a special post coming up with one of my all time favorite songs performed by one of Karen’s all time favorite performers. It will also give me a chance to tell one of my favorite concert stories. So much for previews of coming attractions, I think it’s time to go to bed. That paper can wait until later. See you all tomorrow!
Blessings

The Great Escape

To continue with the theme of our four legged friends, Jim also sent me this video. If you look closely you will see that this is obviously a long lost relative of Odie. I asked Odie about it, but he refused to divulge any information saying that he would stand on his 5th amendment rights protecting against self incrimination! (It is one of his own kind you know!)

Blessings and enjoy:)

Odie wanted to be sure that I added this disclaimer!

No dogs were injured in the filming of this movie (only the pride of the owners)

ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN..... Dont they?

I received this sequence of pictures today from my Brother-in-law Jim. I am not totally sure, but it appears from the pictures that these two churches are having a disagreement about the question of whether or not dogs go to heaven. Actually, if you look closely, you can tell that the pictures have been photo shopped, but even so, I must admit that it is an intriguing question and one which I have heard both sides of the debate many times. So what do you think? Do the animals that are a part of our family have a special place reserved for them in heaven? Or, is it because they have no souls they simply die? Or, do animals have souls? It certainly can be a source of debate. My heart tends to lean toward the story below.

An old man and his dog were walking down this dirt road with fences on both sides, they came to a gate in the fence and looked in, it was a nice, grassy, woody area, just what a 'huntin' dog and man would like, but, it had a sign saying 'no trespassing' so they walked on. They came to a beautiful gate with a person in white robes standing there. "Welcome to Heaven" he said. The old man was happy and started in with his dog following him. The gatekeeper stopped him. "Dogs aren't allowed, I'm sorry but he can't come with you." "What kind of Heaven won't allow dogs? If He can't come in, then I will stay out with him. He's been my faithful companion all his life, I can't desert him now." "Suit yourself, but I have to warn you, the Devil's on this road and he'll try to sweet talk you into his area, he'll promise you anything, but, the dog can't go there either. If you won't leave the dog, you'll spend Eternity on this road " So the old man and dog went on.

They came to a rundown fence with a gap in it, no gate, just a hole. Another old man was inside. "Scuse me Sir, my dog and I are getting mighty tired, mind if we come in and sit in the shade for awhile?" "Of course, there's some cold water under that tree over there. Make yourselves comfortable," "You're sure my dog can come in? The man down the road said dogs weren't allowed anywhere."

"Would you come in if you had to leave the dog?" " No sir, that's why I didn't go to Heaven, he said the dog couldn't come in. We'll be spending Eternity on this road, and a glass of cold water and some shade would be mighty fine right about now. But, I won't come in if my buddy here can't come too, and that's final. "

The man smiled a big smile and said "Welcome to Heaven." "You mean this is Heaven? Dogs ARE allowed? How come that fellow down the road said they weren't?" "That was the Devil and he gets all the people who are willing to give up a life long companion for a comfortable place to stay. They soon find out their mistake, but, then it's too late. The dogs come here, the fickle people stay there. GOD wouldn't allow dogs to be banned from Heaven. After all, HE created them to be man's companions in life, why would he separate them in death?"
Author Earl Hamner, The Twilight Zone

Blessings

PS: One last question, If dogs do go to heaven did they go of their own "free will," or were they "predestined?" Sorry, just a bit of theological humor:)

El Salvador

I sure have been slow about posting on my blog this week. As I know that you are getting tired of hearing, school and preparations for the Commissioning process have been pretty overwhelming. One of the preparations that I have been working on is a Cross Cultural Learning Experience to El Salvador coming up in January. This week I have been busy applying for my passport and getting the necessary forms and medical information filled out.

Let me first share with you what the Cross Cultural Experience is. The administration and faculty at my seminary believe that in order to be full rounded as a pastor, one must have not only book experience, but also personal experience with cultures outside of main stream middle America. They feel so strongly, that they have made it a mandatory part of the curriculum. In other words, I don’t graduate if I don’t go. In the past few years, their have been trips to India, the Congo, Palestine, Guatemala, Russia, and South Korea just to name a few. With all of these choices, you might ask why I chose El Salvador. That is a legitimate question which can best be answered by; it chose me.

First of all, as you know I tend to procrastinate and I have been successful in putting off this trip as long as absolutely possible. This was my last opportunity to go on a Cross Cultural trip without actually postponing graduation. Another issue was money. I have been paying about $325 each semester so far (which was required), essentially banking money toward this trip. I was told by the last group that when they returned from El Salvador, they actually had money returned to them, so whooo hoooo, Life is Good! I procrastinated as long as possible, the trip would be paid for completely, plus I will get money back, What a deal!

Uhhhhhhhh Guess again! Not only won’t I be getting money back, but now I have been informed that I have to come up with another $870. So much for the best laid plans. So now, I have the additional worry of trying to come up with almost another thousand dollars, and that won’t include spending money for the trip. Are you beginning to see why I say that I am in need of a couple of miracles between now and graduation.

I have begun to do some of the preliminary research on the El Salvador. It has been an area of great unrest and violence, however, much of that has settled down in recent years. I do have a good friend, Ernesto, who grew up in El Salvador and was arrested for speaking out against the government. Actually his story is quite a compelling story of God’s grace and I am looking forward to talking with him prior to leaving to get his insights.

One interesting aspect of the trip is that we are not going as missionaries, we are not going to build anything, or save anyone, we are simply going to learn and observe, to talk with the people, and to ask questions of those in power to see what we can learn about their culture and society.

Honestly, my heart tells me that this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity and that what I learn will change my life and ministry forever. Unfortunately, right now my mind is running through all of the things that I have to do between now and then, such as receive a financial miracle, survive this semester, and oh yeah, complete all of my Commissioning work.

I can sure use your prayers right about now, come to think of it, I could use them on a regular basis between now and let’s say……… May!

Blessings