More Than Conquerors

In going through Mom’s things after her death, Dad found a little thought jotted on a piece of yellowing paper tucked away in her Bible. It said, “Do the most. Say the best. Leave the rest.” No doubt she had heard that in a sermon or a Bible class lesson ad thought it worth preserving. Not only that, but I think she must have thought it worth living.

My mother was like anyone else, human, with her weaknesses, but her faith was strong in difficulty. And she seemed to have a handle on her eternal destination. It occurs to me that she was on God’s side. Some people try to get God on their side through their actions. Their worship, their offerings and their prayers are aimed at securing Divine approval. But that will not work.

On the other hand, a man on God’s side can’t lose. He may have some failures or be overcome in the battle with disease or other struggles, but each o these contribute to the ultimate success and sweetness of the final victory.

Satan appeared to have won at Calvary. But then the resurrection came and God resoundingly turned Satan’s worst to a glorious triumph for both himself and man. Redemption was made possible for those who would align themselves the plumb line of the Testament of Christ. That’s what Mom did and she taught some very vivid lessons of faith and courage in her fight with cancer. I hope they are truly learned.

Thank goodness that, “in all thins we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”

(originally written in November, 1983)

Finding Old Memories

I am in the midst of moving from my old office to the one I am to occupy in our new wing. Among the things I found stored was a cache of old bulletin articles I had written in 1980.  I had kept them with some vague idea that I might compile them into a volume to submit for publication sometime in the future. Well, it is the future, and I am not sure I am up to a compilation or receiving rejection letters.  I decided to put some on my blog.  Here is the one from December 11 of that year.

My dad and I were together for an afternoon and evening a couple of weeks ago. We went to see a high school football playoff game at the Astrodome. We used to do such things often when I lived in Lake Jackson, but it  was the first time in a good while that we have done it. We both enjoyed it. I hope we don’t wait so long to get together for another such outing again.

While driving to the Dome we began reminiscing about his mother and some of her philosophies. This lady was one of those truly great Christians. She lived her faith every day, her good deeds were a positive force on everyone who lived in her small farming community. She believed in doing her best at whatever she was involved in,  whether the task was a pleasant one or not. She complained very seldom and expected to do her share.  She slept soundly every night, she said, because she did not have a guilty conscience. Now her rest is eternally secured.

Her philosophy is not one that is widely spread in our society today. All too often we only want to do enough to get by. We look for ease and comfort. Frequently we expect to have things given to us. We would rather be “done for” than “do for” someone else. This attitude is prevalent in our work, our family life, our religious life, everywhere. At the appearance of a stumbling block, we give up.

We need to be ready to fight for the victory. Without combat, no victory is reached. Without labor, we cannot arrive at rest. My Christian brothers, be the best you can be. Whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might. (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Experience

I have been blessed over the years to have had some great teachers, from Mrs. Morrow in kindergarten to Dr. Willis in grad school. But I believe that my best teacher, by far, is Experience.

Experience is the most persistent of teachers, always providing opportunities to learn and advance my understanding. S/He lets me know there are things I can do and must do. S/He has shown me that there are things that I cannot do and need to depend on others. Experience teaches me dangerous things to avoid, as well as beautiful things to pursue and embrace.

Experience has helped me get jobs and taken me to exotic places. S/He has given me confidence that I could accomplish and achieve. S/He has brought me disappointment when I did not reach a goal, but also brought great satisfaction when a job has been done.

Experience has introduced to a vast number of people. S/He has brought me into contact with people that are the greatest joy in life, and taught me to love them. Experience also has taught me that there are some folks with whom I will have no positive interaction. Experience has taught me how to endure them, at times even honor them.

Experience has helped me realize a lot about life and how to handle the ups and downs. Through Experience, I know that when I am having a mountaintop moment, it will not be long till I have to go back down into the valley to continue my journey.
And when life has dealt me a severe blow, Experience reminds me that it is another hurdle to be overcome, but that the sun is still shining behind the clouds.

Sixty?

Friday, the 29th, was the sixtieth day of the year 2008. Some of the ladies in the congregation where I worship came up with a Leap Year Day plan to have a party celebrating all those in the congregation that will turn 60 in this calendar year. I happened to be one of five guys “honored. We had food and fellowship and fun. There was a “Not So Newlywed Game” that brought several laughs.

One especially creative lady came up with a bingo-type game using information about the guys in the squares. The idea was to be the first to correctly identify the guy described by the information for five squares in a row, across, up & down or diagonally. Some things were brought to public knowledge that might not otherwise been broadcast, thanks to the wives of the guys.

Here is a complete playing board. Your task is to identify the five bits of information that describe me (they will not be in a row, but there is one in each line that describes me)!

At age 2, was wanted by the police	Wore Mutton chops in the 70s	Went to an Ice festival in Japan	Was escorted through Little Rock by National Guard	Set a high school track record
Won science fair awards	His family had the first TV set on their block	Was lost in mountains as a young boy	Owner of Deacon’s Men’s Shop	Had surgery to remove a toothpick
When a teenager, owned 2horses	Drove a candy apple red Mustang	Owned a ‘68 Chevelle	Used Morse Code in Vietnam War	Had 3 near death experiences
Oldest of our 60s guys	Made a rain suit by sewing and gluing	In 1979 was offered a job in Iran asNational Coach	Is aSCUBA diver	Knows over 10 languages but speaks only one
Hung his neighbor’s cat (accidentally)	Played trumpet in high school band	GatorFrat Boy	Vietnam Veteran	Builds his own telescopes