I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY

Little did I know that what I said in my last post would happen so soon. Yesterday I
mentioned that my 95 year old father would preach in a minute's time if asked. He
did just that just this morning. He is a resident in a retirement home where they
have someone preach to the residents from time to time. The speaker for today
was a no-show so, they asked dad if he would preach to them. Without even giving
it much thought he told them that he would.
Dad needed his Bible so someone was sent to get it. When she returned, she
handed him a Hymn book, not his Bible. Rather than sending her back, he turned
to the back of the Hymn book and picked out a Scripture to talk about. He shared
some thoughts for a few minutes and had a closing prayer. No notes and no time
to prepare himself, dad just let the Lord speak through him. I wish I could of been
there to over hear the Gospel.
The reason I know that dad did what he did is that I called him long distance at
noon to see how he was doing. I'm delighted to say that dad is doing just fine. He
got to do his favorite thing in all the world today, tell others about Jesus. It made
his day and I'm sure it helped others have a better day too. I know I feel better
after hearing about my father telling his story about telling the old, old story.

ON CALL

Since I have been helping serve Communion at our 8:15 a. m. service for awhile, the Pastor
has asked if I can do it every Sunday. I've told him I will unless there is a conflict of some sort.
Since I preach for others from time to time, I will still be able to "fill in" if I'm called upon. It
is one of my ways of being in ministry.
I miss preaching weekly, being with people in their homes or at the hospital, etc. After all,
after all these years in the pastorate I don't want to do nothing at all. It is a high calling to
do the work of a pastor. It isn't something I take lighlty. I guess I'm a lot like my 95 year
old father who was a pastor. If he could preach, he would in a minute's time! So would I.
It is so sad to see so much bad press given these days to the Church and pastors. Some of
it is deserved, but where is the good news about the Good News? We don't do it for applause
and attention, we do it for the love of theLord and people. We simply go about doing good
like the Lord did.
I like being "on call" because it means my ministry is still worth while to others in one way
or another.

A HOLY HUSH

I started re-reading, The Returnof the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming,
by Henri Nouwen again. The first time I read it was in 1998 at New Harmony Inn.
The second time was in my study at First UMC in Campbellsville, Ky in 2000.
This is the third time for me to read a small book with a big message.
After I started reading it I realized that I was reading a book about a home coming
in my very own home. I've always lived in a home owned by the church.
Nouwen has always spoken to my soul in ways that seem to sneak up on me. I didn't even
know something spritually when all of the sudden it is right before my spiritual eyes. It is
always an eye opener for me. He makes me aware that there are others who struggle in
their souls with the same issues that I struggle with. And, he has a way of dealing with an
issue in such a way that I am able to find comfort and help.
Nouwen died several years ago of a heart attack. I have many of the books by Henri
Nouwen that I treasure. I have one I've read and re- read over twenty times.
There is a Scripture that says, "even though he is gone, he still speaks." Henri Nouwen
still speaks to me. At times he seems to shout and at times it is so soft that I have to
lean over and listen intently. In that hush, I hear the holy. This time the message of the
holy hush was that I'm home. And what a blessing that truly is for me tonight.

What's Your Story?

This morning I finished reading, How Starbucks Saved My Life. While there are a few
things I don't like about the book, it still said some things to help me help others. The
book shows how Starbucks gave the author affirmation, acceptance and a purpose for
living.
One of the things that stood out for me was that Starbucks wants to make people feel better.
So should I. So should the Church. There are lessions to be learned in how to make people
feel better on almost every page of this 265 page book. Also, the author speaks of how
Starbucks was like a life raft in tumultuous times. The Church can be a life raft for
people going through tough times. The Church can offer hope and help in so many ways.
This book tells how a man found a purpose for living when he was just about to give up.
The Church is filled full of people who can testify to the fact that God gave them hope
and help to keep on keeping on. If I were to tell my story, there would be similiar stories
of how I was saved, not by Starbucks but by someone who gave me a lift to my life.
That someone is Jesus. He can do the same for anyone, anywhere.
I understand that Tom Hanks may be in a movie about this book. If so, I'm sure it
will succeed just as the man the movie will be about is. If it comes out, I want to see
it as I drink my cup of coffee from Starbucks. I might even sneak in a couple of cookies,
who knows? I do, that's who!

SECOND THOUGHTS

I took our car in for work yesterday. While I was waiting, I started re-reading Richard
Morgan's, Settling In. In it, Morgan shares some thoughts about settling into a
Retirement community a few years ago. I first read this helpful book in October in an
effort to see what he has to say on the subject. I was deeply impressed with it then but
felt I needed a second reading so I could soak it in better.
I found myself thinking that what my wife and I really need to do is to take time to
read it together. That way, we would talk about the things he has to say. In fact, I
think this book would help anyone who is dealing with these matters for the future.
I highly suggest having a class in church for mid-age adults.
The trouble with reading so many books is that we rush through them without taking
time to stop and soak in the subject. We get onto the next read and leave the last one
behind in the dust. Buy this book and take time to let it read you. It will open your
eyes to things that you just might happen to have to deal with one of these days not
too far down the road.

STARBUCKS

I've gone and done it again. Yesterday I bought, How Starbucks Saved My Life. Since
Starbucks seems to get so much attention these days, I thought I'd like to get on board
and see why. So, I bought yet another book about the Starbucks.
I am amazed at how much influence Starbucks has on so many lives. We have a brand
new one that just opened a few days ago and it is already an attraction to so many people.
While I haven't been in it yet, I know that I will drop in soon. I might even take this new
book with me and see how Starbucks saved his life. Although I am only a few pages into
this new book, I have an idea that I know what it's all about and how it had something to
do with helping this man who wrote it.
I've read several sermons on the subject of Starbucks as well as Leonard Sweet's,
The Gospel Accrding To Starbucks, and see some of the things that Starbucks does
that the Church could and should be doing. I think it is great that we can learn how to
do better from someone who puts it into practice so well. So very well.
Maybe I should write a book about books about Starbucks. It just might be a best
seller. I'll drink to that! Starbucks, that is. Or, I might just save my time and my money
and read on some other subject while I drink water.

PAUSE FOR PRAYER

I was very moved while watching a service over the internet a few minutes ago.
They were celebrating All Saints Sunday. First United Methodist Church in Dallas,
Texas is a very large and old church. Therefore, I wasn't surprised when the
Pastor read the names of thirty or more people. As he read each name, they showed
someone lighting a candle at the altar.
It took time. Lots of time. But that was what I thought was so wonderful. No need to
rush to the next thing on the bulletin. No need to try to get it over with an go out to eat.
I didn't know any of the names. But I found myself pausing in prayer to thank God for
each and every one. After all, I want someone to pray a prayer of thanks whenever my
name is called out one of these All Saints Sunday's. I don't when that might happen. I
hope not too soon. I just know that it has to happen.

STEVE

When I was ten years old I played a game called "Kick the Can" with some kids from our
neighborhood. There were two boys named Steve who played the game at times. One
Steve had trouble with his school work while the other ended up graduating at the top of
his class may years later.
A few months ago I learned that one Steve died as a lonely man. Last night, the other
Steve became the Governor elect of the State ofKentucky. While I haven't seen either
Steve for many, many years, I've wondered where they were and what they were doing.
Now I know, and so do you.
As I was about to sign off from this Blog, I just thought of another Steve. Our Son is
named Stephen. He is good looking like his father and is works hard from day to day.
Three guys named Steve stand tall in my mind. I thank God for each one.

Yesterday

I had a date with my mate yesterday afternoon so we went out to eat and then we went to
Barnes & Noble. While she read one book, I read two. While she read, I drank Starbucks
strong coffee and watched people. Some sat all alone. Some were with others. Some worked
at the lap tops and drank their cups of coffee.
As we were leaving, I happened to see a book that I must go back and read, How Starbucks
Saved My Life. Really? I've read three books about Starbucks already but I don't recall
anyone saying it saved their lives. Leonard Sweet's book might mention how Starbucks
can help save souls but I haven't come across saving lives yet. I'll get a cup of Starbucks
and see what this man has to say about how his life has been saved. I'll let you know when I
know what he knows. Know what I mean?
I read some thoughts about solitude and the soul as I drank my cup of coffee yesterday. I
wasn't all alone, yet I was refreshed as I was reminded of my need for more "time out"
with and for God. I think I will try to "get lost" today while my wife is out and about. The
silence of the soul allows God to whisper to me in ways that I other wise might miss. It's
in times like this that I feel closer to God. What is it for you? What works best?

ON CALL

Who can you call at 3:30 in the morning if you need someone? Would that person get mad
and hang up on you or say, "I'll be right there"? I hope you have a list of people who would
want to help you if asked. St. Paul had a list of people he could depend upon. When he was
in prison he depened upon a young man named Timothy. He was assured that Timothy
would come through for him. Who is your Timothy? Are you a Timothy for someone else?
When I think back, I don't remember the services at churches I've pastored as much as
the people who served the Lord with gladness. When I'm gone, I hope people remember
what I've done more than what I've said. And, I hope that they are grateful that I was
there for them when they needed me most. While my name isn't Timothy, I want to be
a Timothy for someone in some way. What about you? Are you on call?

SIGHT SEEING

While my wife was shopping at RiverGate Mall in Nashville yesterday, I watched as people
passed by. What caught my eye was that so many walked by as they talked on their cell
phones. Also, most of them were not alone. Someone was with them. In fact, one group
of guys that passed by had three people who were on their cell phones. It was a sight to
see!
Then there were the people who passed by without any packages in their hands. Maybe
they couldn't find what they wanted or they couldn't afford what they wanted. But only
one or two had sacks showing they had bought something at one of the stores. It made
me wonder why they had even shown up in the first place.
When my wife showed up, she too didn't have anything for her troubles. Since she didn't
say much about it, I kept my big mouth closed. Now that was a sight to see!
(Maybe she hid my Christmas present or put it on lay away. I didn't dare ask. After all it
was out of my sight seeing.)