Space Paintings

I think you'll find this link interesting:

It's Been A Week

As a bonus for this day, I add a post from my brother, Phil's New Creation blog:


I am sorry I have not written in over a week now. My goal has been to write here at least twice a week. Sometimes, however, in the midst of the fun, life happens and priorities have to change.

As most of you know, my mother went into the hospital last Wednesday with a tumor on her brain. She has battled cancer for two years. The tumor is operable. We were told yesterday afternoon that the surgery will either be Thursday or Friday. The surgeon is very confident the surgery will be successful. Mom is also battling depression. I appreciate your prayers for both her physical and emotional well-being.

The words of Isaiah 26:3 keep echoing in my mind.
You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.

Baptists And Aboxistentialism

Earlier, this week, I attended the Executive Board meeting for our Louisiana Baptist Convention. We, of course, conducted business, ate wonderful food, and fellowshipped. I had a wonderful exchange with my friend, John, whom I have known since college days. The frightening thing is that he and I have similar sense of humor. I haven't laughed as much in a long time.

He knows of the existence of this blog, so I will please him and mention a particular reference we made to another church leader. This is also a gratuitous effort on my part since John now insists that this blog resides upon his "favorites" list.

The above mentioned church leader is one who, by his own admission, likes to "think outside the box." As we stood in the lunch line, it occurred to me that this man, to play off the term "atheist," is an "aboxist." This means that he is "without a box." With great delight I announced this thought to him and John. John, ever the quick witted one that he is, immediately extended the thought to include the idea that our friend subscribes to the philosophy of "aboxistentialism." Before long, we had our hapless friend on speaking tours, writing books, and becoming a talking head on his theories of "aboxistentialism." It was all great fun and perhaps the newly coined term can one day be used in polite company. We do need more leaders and churches willing to be "aboxistentialists."

To move on, another thing I enjoy about such meetings is the chance to network with other pastors and church leaders. I hear about what is going wrong and right at their churches. I heard a few horror stories and a few reports that are cause for celebration. One thing I took away is gratitude.

I am grateful that my church is not embroiled in some controversy.
I am grateful to have a staff that is willing and able to cover for me when I am not away.
I am grateful that an "out to get the pastor" squad has not yet been mobilized.
I am grateful for what God is doing in churches to reach and save the lost.
I am grateful to be able to hear the reports we heard and conduct the business we conducted.

I decided that when I return to my church, I just wanted to put my arms around the congregation and tell them I loved them. I realized anew this week "how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." I love my congregation and they seem to, for the most part, love me!

I leave refreshed, smiling, and thankful.

That's the kind of denominational meeting I wish I could grant to all who "labor and are heavy laden" in denominational service.

Hey, Sweetie!

Being a Diet Coke guzzler, I have occasion to frequent the convenience stores in my area, and in other areas when I am on the road. This means that I am daily, and sometimes more than once a day, in some convenience store filling my "jug." I like Diet Coke, but prefer it of the fountain variety. One friend of mine insists that he'd rather have it in the bottle because he says, "you get a consistent quality." He is right- some fountains dispense much better product than others. I have been known to dump the entire contents of my newly drawn jug of Diet Coke because of a bad taste. On the other hand, there are a few fountains I frequent because it tastes so good there.

Anyway, because of my frequent journeys to convenience stores, I do get known by the clerks. A few cut me some slack on my refill prices. In many ways, fountain drinks can be cheaper- another plus to consider in shopping.

Now to today's" what's up with this?" I have found a few clerks, all women, who call me "sweetie," "dear," "baby" "sweetheart," and other such endearing terms. To be sure, I do not know these ladies, which makes me wonder what they would call me if we were on a first name basis. I find this casual familiarity a bit disconcerting. I don't mind being friendly with strangers behind the counter, but I am not so sure about all this chumminess. For all these ladies know, I may be an outlaw on the run. I may have cased the store for a robbery. They don't know me. Why address me with such endearing terms? Frankly, it is a bit embarrassing and I wonder also if it is a bit unprofessional. If a male clerk spoke to female customers this way, would it be appreciated? I'll not even consider what would happen if a male clerk addressed another male as "sweetie."

Maybe it is the casual nature our society seems to relish. But truly the only sweet thing I seek in the corner convenience store is a Diet Coke. Speaking of, I'm on the way, sweetheart!

I Saw It In The Obituaries

I recently read an article which stated that one of the most read sections
of the newspaper is the obituaries. In our local paper, they are located
just inside the main section on page 2. Displayed prominently, they often
include pictures and other items of memorabilia of the deceased. In recent
years, I have noticed a trend on the obituary page that recalls the
anniversary or the birthday of the deceased. Usually an ad featuring a
picture of the loved one is included, along with the dates of birth and
death, with notes such as "It's Your First Birthday In Heaven," or "We Miss

You." Of course, the deceased is unable to read the ad, but the sentiments
of the grieving are expressed.

Because of my work (pastor) I try to keep up with the daily obituary notices
in the newspapers. I was once very glad I did. Early one morning, I
happened to notice that I was officiating at a funeral I didn't know about
for someone I didn't know. When I contacted the funeral director, he
admitted he hadn't contacted me, but said, "I had to put something in the
paper." Great, just be sure you contact the person whose name you put in
the paper before you do it. Actually, I had moved out of the area and was
unable to officiate. I always did wonder who ended up preaching that
service.

In reading obituaries, I note some are long, others very brief. Some have
no mention of birthdates or even service dates. Often, a presiding minister
or person is not mentioned. Are people having more "services of
remembrance," or "celebrations of life," as opposed to funeral services?
Some obituaries are as interesting as biography to me, particularly when the
person has led an active and noteworthy life.

I saw one recently that made me think. After it noted the death of the
person, it simply said, "She loved to play cards." It made me think: of a
long life, was there not more that could be said of this person? Life does
not consist of just playing cards. Was this the most consuming purpose and
pursuit of her life? Is not life more than card playing? I honestly hope I
will be remembered for something more than my pastimes.

On the other hand, another recent obituary noted a man who was an "avid
golfer," who loved sports and travel. He was also known as a generous,
loving man. Perhaps the most touching remembrance to me was the brief
observation that the man "was a man of honesty, integrity, and unbreakable
conviction." Ah, would that be said of me as well! Would that it could be
said of every man that we were men of generosity, integrity, compassion, and
conviction. I didn't know this man, but I wish I did. He sounds like my
kind of person.

When it is all said and done, more is said than done. This man went and did
it and did it well. Others said it about him.

That's my kind of obituary.

Dueling Signs

Today’s post includes one of my favorite blog topics: interesting church signs. Well ... it's not a church sign, but close. I have heard of church splits, but not a “cemetery split.”

Let my friend, Dr. Rick, tell the story: "Sardis Cemetery is an old, old, old, cemetery in Arkansas near a Sardis Methodist Church. The _____ Family Cemetery was created in 1985 because of a disagreement with those who run the Sardis Cemetery. (Notice the different spelling on each sign.)

I've always found it interesting that many churches are named "Sardis." I wonder if the founders ever read Revelation 3:1?"

75 Years Ago – Beauty Revue Protest

Haven’t times changed? The things that caused an outrage a generation or two ago are merely items of curiosity today. Case in point: a letter to the editor written by a pastor who is a predecessor at my church.

Editor, American Press: I, as a citizen of Calcasieu parish, wish to join with the Rev. R. H. Wynn in making a protest against a Bathing Beauty Revue being held in the little city of Lake Charles. It does seem to me that our people could offer a better moral attraction. First, it would not bring the class of people whom we would have as citizens. Second, it does not boost Lake Charles in a way we would have it boosted. I trust that the people sponsoring this move will reconsider and launch a program on a higher moral plane.~ W. J. Westberry Pastor, Sulphur Baptist Church

Unfortunately, I have no record of the result of the protests. I suspect that things went right on as they were intended. Today, we have issues much worse to protest in Lake Charles. Chief among them is the proliferation of gambling. One large casino here is working to become even larger. As part of its campaign to expand, it told of expanding job opportunities in our parish.

What astounds me is that area merchants seem to go along with their arguments. It seems to me that a dollar spent in a casino is a dollar NOT spent at a furniture store, a grocery store, etc. Some will say that this is discretionary money. Perhaps, but how discretionary is it to lose a house, valued possessions, jobs, and even a family due to gambling? The cost to private lives is immeasurable.

Beyond that, we in our parish have put so many eggs in the gambling basket, so to speak, i.e. become dependant upon gambling, that when Texas legalizes it, we will suffer greatly. For some, this is all well into the future, a mess for someone else to clean up.

At this point, being unable to change the way things are, I, too, must protest things like legalized gambling. I commend the good pastor for his protests on moral grounds of the Bathing Beauty Revue and wish that was all I had to protest in Southwest Louisiana.

Play By Play

Today I listened to a very interesting radio interview with sportscaster, Bill Mercer. He is a sports broadcasting pro with a voice to match. Since I have a great interest in radio and host a radio show as a hobby, I wanted to hear what he had to say. Currently, he teaches a course in sports broadcasting at North Texas State University.

He has a deep, resonant voice, one that he said he had to work to rid of an inbred "Oklahoma drawl." Just the voice is enough to capture my attention and make me want to listen.

Several callers rang in and praised this man for the professionalism and quality in his broadcasting. But it was something that he said almost in passing that has kept me thinking all day. He said that he refused to run down and criticise players on the field, unlike some broadcasters do.

He has a great point. I just read an appeal from Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, calling for rational dialogue and a ceasefire in personal attacks and character assassinations, IN THE SBC! That's right, Southern Baptist pastors and leaders have had a field day attacking one another in blogs and websites. Page appeals, "For Christ's Sake, Can We Stop It?" I know that these same pastors would be upset if their church members talked about them the way they talk about fellow ministers.

What is needed is for people to talk civilly about each other, and refuse to run other people down, even if there is an obvious opportunity. Mercer is clear on that issue: he won't do it. Even the interviewer commented, "You won't say anything bad about anybody?" Mercer's reply was basically that there is enough of that going on and there is no need for it.

Amen! Say it, Mr. Mercer!

Mother said, "If you haven't got anything good to say about anybody, then don't say it."

That's good advice, on or off the air.