15 To Go

Posted on June 9, 2014 by wisdomfromafather

This is shaping up as a wild, fun-filled summer. If all goes as planned, I’ll my kids here together for a happy occasion for the first time in nine years. Sure, we’ve been together, but generally it’s because of sickness or death. My three out of town children will join my two locals to celebrate my grandson’s graduation July 5. I am soooo looking forward to having the brood here. I don’t tell them often enough how much I miss them.

And then, less than a week later, I’m planning an adventure with my grandchildren.

That needs a little background. After Karen died, I literally was at a loss of what to do for Christmas for the grandchildren. Karen always took care of gifting. I came up with the bright idea of treating them to an outing. And I’ve felt Karen’s presence and smile of approval during the junkets.

We’ve been to the Radio City Christmas Show — the traveling show in Cleveland and Boston and the real deal in New York City. Two years ago, I booked an Easter cruise for them in Boston.

And it has been great. Usually there is a group ranging from eight to 10 children between the ages of six and 16. My daughters or daughters-in-law help out as chaperones. We book a couple of rooms and just … well … interact.

The first year was special and really set the tone for subsequent travels. The biggest disaster that first year was spilled water at lunch. I took such pride in watching and listening to the older grandkids taking the younger ones under their wing … the kids exchanging e-mail addresses … and no one getting whiney.

Even in New York City, the kids looked out for each other on the busy streets and subway. And no one panicked when my granddaughter lost a boot in a Boston snowdrift following the 2010 Christmas blizzard {yes, we still went to the Christmas Show}. That was, however, part of the decision to move the outing to the Easter break and the cruise the following year.

Circumstances didn’t allow us to take a trip in 2012 or 2013. But it bothered me that I hadn’t gotten the grandkids together. So this year, we’re gathering the kiddies and taking off on an adventure.

The game plan is to head to Somerset, NJ, the July 17-20 weekend as the anchor for the trip. I figured the kids can use the pool that Thursday night to unwind.

Friday, I plan on taking them to the shore — my favorite, Seaside Heights, to be exact — for a day on the beach and boardwalk. I’ll probably drop some coin in the arcade and pier and I thought it would be fun to play miniature golf on the two-building rooftop overlooking the boardwalk and ocean. And, of course, we’ll gorge on pizza or sausage and peppers or chicken fingers or whatever, all washed down with a Kohr’s frozen custard.

Saturday’s adventure includes a stop at Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken — hopefully with a visit by the Cake Boss himself or one of his helpers. I’m planning the trip across the Hudson on the ferry, parking, and taking the tribe to the Empire State Building for a trip to the observation tower. On the way down, we’ll stop on the second floor for a 30 minute multi-media virtual tour simulator. They say the Kevin Bacon narrated experience is the perfect introduction to the greatest city in the world where fantasy comes to life via a specially designed platform which moves in sync to an 18-foot high-definition screen.

From there, I’m thinking we’ll head to Central Park for a spin on the carousel and maybe a stop at the zoo. We’ll cap the day with a Circle Line tour.

Sunday, my daughter will head back to Ohio and the rest of us will head to Massachusetts to drop off my two grandsons.

Since I started planning the trip, things have sort of mushroomed. My daughter, her significant other, one of my older grandchildren and one of my youngest grandchildren asked if they could join us. So, it looks like the Siccardi clan will include me, perhaps {hopefully} a really good friend, my two daughters, a significant other, two grandsons outside our age range (18 and 1 — normal outings are 6 to 16} and eight grandchildren — four boys and four girls — between the ages of 6 and 14. That’s 15!

Anybody know where I can rent or borrow at 15 passenger van?

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Wealth is not in making money, but in making the man while he is making money.

Posted in children, family, Memories, New York City, relationships, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Do You Feel It?

Posted on June 8, 2014 by wisdomfromafather

Just sharing my thoughts from the pulpit today.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Do you feel it.

Do you FEEL it.

Do YOU feel it.

Today is the anniversary of one of the most important dates in the church. Today, we celebrate Pentecost. Today we celebrate fulfillment of what Jesus came to do. Today we introduce the third member of the Trinity.

If I had my way, I would have reversed our last two readings … John 20:19-23 and Acts 2:1-21. In my mind, John sets the stage and Acts starts the action.

Let’s set the stage with John. It’s the evening of the first day of the week immediately following Christ’s death. Earlier in the day, all four gospel writers acknowledged the empty tomb and three of the four — Luke doesn’t — tell the tale of the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene. Fast forward through the day. It is now night time, maybe 12 hours later than the discovery of the empty tomb. What are our fearless disciples doing?

They’re cowering in fear. The doors are locked in fear of the Jewish leaders. I suspect they are trying to figure out the events, not only of the day, but of the past few days. Some, perhaps, couldn’t understand the significance of the empty tomb. Some, perhaps, may have still been thinking Jesus’ body was stolen. I can hear them arguing with each other … okay, not arguing but certainly debating and challenging each other.

In other words, they were clueless. They witnessed the greatest miracle of all time — the resurrection of the Lord — and they didn’t know what to make of it. They didn’t know what they were going to do next. They weren’t thinking expansion. They were paralyzed by fear. Perhaps they were talking about going back to their ships and families and old jobs and trying to figure out what they were going to say to their friends back home. When their Jesus died, their hopes died with Him. They believed in Him. They still believed in Him. But they just couldn’t fit the puzzle pieces together. And they couldn’t figure out this empty tomb thing. What did that mean?

All of a sudden, Jesus is in their midst. The Scriptures don’t say Jesus walked through the door or floated down. He just appeared. He stood among them.

Can you imagine this crew of characters’ reaction when Jesus “stood among them”? They had to be bewildered. Mary, at least, had a previous encounter with Jesus at the tomb. The others did not. They just saw the empty tomb, the wrapped linen, the stone rolled away.

I suspect they had more questions than are recorded in Scripture, but the key point is what Jesus did. First, He wished them Peace to reassure them. Just as we extend the hand of friendship during worship as a gesture showing we care for each other, Jesus says Peace be with you. Shalom. I’m still here with you, He says. I…am…still…here…with…you. It was a statement of comfort. It was reassurance.

Next, He verifies who He is. He shows the disciples His hand and side. It’s at this point, John tells us the disciples were overjoyed. This is a fulfillment of Jesus’ words at the Last Discourse (16:20-22). They would have sorrow while the world rejoiced, but their sorrow would be turned to lasting joy when they saw Him again.

Then, He commissions them — As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you. — and breathes on them.

That’s kind of a strange thing to report, but it’s theologically significant. Let’s go waaay back — to Genesis. God breathed life into Adam. God formed man out of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. And so, here, Jesus is breathing life into the disciples. He is giving of the Spirit who produces life. It’s different from the reading in Acts, but we’ll get to that difference in a minute or so.

Jesus continues, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” This “power” is consistent with the idea the disciples were to carry on the ministry of Jesus after He departed from the world and returned to the Father. It was also a theme of the Last Discourse — “You also are to testify because you have been with Me since the beginning (John 15:27).”

So, what do we glean from the Gospel. First, nothing can shut out Christ’s presence. When He manifests His love to believers by the comforts of His Spirit, He assures us because He lives, we shall live also. We learn every word of Christ received in the heart is by faith and comes accompanied by this Divine breathing. Without this there is neither light nor life. Nothing is seen, known, discerned or felt of God, but through this Divine breathing.

And we learn one other lesson, although it is not directly in today’s reading. It follows. Thomas, you might note, was absent from this appearance and the Twin was certainly skeptical. He was not breathed upon. He was still confused. He wanted tangible proof. He wanted to put his finger in the nail holes and his hand in Jesus’ side. And he make that statement even after the disciples gave their account. He wanted more.

That’s the lesson. When we assemble in Christ’s name — like right here, right now — He meets us and speaks peace to us. It becomes our job to share this good news with our fellow believers who may be absent, and making known what we have experienced to the skeptics. They may want more proof, like Thomas. We have it. The proof is in our actions … the rest of Sunday, on Monday, on Tuesday, on Wednesday, on Thursday, on Friday, on Saturday, in our home, at work, in the community. It’s our job not to preach the Gospel, but to live the Gospel so the skeptics come to the Cross on their own, put their fingers in Christ’s nail holes and their hands in Christ’s side.

Now let’s fast forward to Acts. Remember, I said there was a difference in the readings. John’s Gospel was the giving of the Spirit that produces life. Here, we are shown the giving of the Spirit that produces power — the power to witness and carry out the mission the disciples had been given.

It’s too bad canonically, John interrupts Luke and Acts. It is presumed the same author or camp wrote both Luke and Acts. Tradition holds the texts were written by Luke the companion of Paul (named in Colossians 4:14), although many modern scholars question this view. Others believes authorship is by Luke the physician. Either way, Acts actually is a continuation of Luke. The Acts of the Apostles picks up where the Gospel of Luke leaves off. This is significant to the story of Pentecost, because the first Christian Pentecost is deeply rooted in the Gospel of Luke. Luke began his Gospel with the story of Jesus’ birth. He begins the book of Acts with the story of the church’s birth. First came the Messiah; now comes the Holy Spirit.

The “fulfillment” language is important here. Jesus promised, “You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:5). Now His promise is fulfilled.

To give you some historical perspective, Pentecost is also known as the Feast of Weeks. Leviticus 23:15-21 requires Jews to observe the Feast of Weeks 50 days after the offering of the barley sheaf at the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Numbers 28:26-31 and Deuteronomy 16:9-12 provide details about offerings to be offered and persons to be included. So the Feast of Weeks was a big deal to the Jews of the time.

The word “Pentecost”, however, is Greek, meaning 50, reflecting the 50-day countdown. It is one of three great pilgrimage festivals (the others being Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles), which Jews living near Jerusalem are required to attend and to which Jews from other nations make pilgrimage as they are able.

And so, these followers of Christ — still Jews — were gathered in Jerusalem. There are 120 believers mentioned in Acts 1:15, although many had retreated into hiding after the crucifixion.

And it has been a long journey for Jesus’ followers. Lacking in their capacity to imagine the ways of God, they have repeatedly proven themselves incapable of making sense of Jesus’ message, sometimes even working at cross-purposes with Him. Their metamorphosis has now reached a critical juncture.

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit…

And we hear the story of each one hearing in their own tongue, which begs the question, is Pentecost a miracle of speaking, hearing or both. Verses 4 and 6 suggest both are true. It’s sort of a reversal of the Babel story in Genesis where God confounded the language of all the earth.

Peter, of all people, becomes the star of the day. Without question, the Apostle Peter was a “duh”-ciple most of us can identify with. One minute he was walking on water by faith, and the next he was sinking in doubt. He was impulsive and emotional. Only seven weeks earlier, he denied Christ three times (Luke 22:56-62). But during those seven weeks, Peter and the other disciples were transformed by their encounters with the risen Christ. Now, in Jerusalem, Peter and the disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit. [See why I think the liturgical readings should be reversed?] The Spirit is the power behind Peter’s sermon. The Spirit is responsible for the crowd’s overwhelming response.

Peter quotes Joel 2:28-32, where Joel prophesied God would pour out His Spirit “upon all flesh” (verse 17b). Peter reinterprets Joel’s words to point to the salvation that comes to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. When he speaks these words, Peter is still a Jew addressing Jews, and his vision does not yet include Gentiles. Joel was also speaking to the Jews. It was the Holy Spirit who inspires Peter in chapter 2 to say words that open the door further than he understands. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (verse 21) … including Gentiles. The fulfillment of this prophecy begins within the hour when 3,000 people call upon the name of the Lord and are saved (verse 41).

The disciples’ minds were opened by the Risen Lord to understand the Scriptures — the John account of events from Jesus’ death to ascension — and now, recipients of the Pentecostal Spirit, they are empowered by the Spirit both to understand the significance of the dramatic events that have transpired at this Feast and to communicate its significance in ways that draw those events into the ancient purpose of God. The text weaves together Pentecostal phenomena, the story of Jesus and the witness of Israel’s Scriptures. The result is a community generated by the Spirit, shaped by the proclaimed Word.

That will be just the beginning. These 3,000 are from every nation under heaven and the majority, probably 2,000, are pilgrims from other lands. They will return to their homes, forever changed by their Pentecost baptism. The spark they carry in their hearts will spread the Pentecost fire far and wide.

Ultimately,  that spark found its way right here to this little church in little Fayette, NY. The question is, What are we going to do with that spark?

We — who know Christ and have that same power of God’s Spirit– often are not in enough meaningful contact with the people who need us most. We spend so much time in meetings with each other, doing programs for each other, having concerts with each other, serving on committees for each other and doing books and music for each other that we’re disconnected from the people who are dying without our Jesus.

This is our time to use God’s power to get out to where it’s needed. We need to dare to risk getting involved in places where lost people are; to look at the unbelieving people around us and start building some bridges into their lives; building intentional rescue relationships. God needs us to just move close to some people who are not His people.

Too many people are slipping away, falling, crashing because there is no one making a difference where they are. If you know Jesus, you have the same power He promised to His disciples — way back at Pentecost — to be where you are needed the most.

I’m going to leave you with two thoughts.

Debra Dean Murphy, in the 2012 Ekklesia Project, wrote, “In truth, Pentecost is not the complete reversal of Babel. We still can’t understand each other; we routinely miscommunicate; we gather and we gripe, betraying the unity Christ has called us to as His Body. But the good news of the Acts 2 story, the good news of all our gathering ‘together in one place,’ is not that the Church has a mission, but that God’s mission has a Church.”

And Russell Rathbun, in his chapter “The Narrowing of the Gospel,” in the 2011 resource, The Hardest Question, adds, “Our holy book contains different interpretations of the same stories from creation to the resurrection. There are four gospel voices but only one Acts of the Apostles in the canon.”

The Day of Pentecost. The time has come! The heavens roar! Fire burns! The Spirit of God fills! Disciples preach! Crowds wonder!

Do you feel the Spirit?

Do you FEEL His presence?

Do YOU feel His power?

And the faithful say, Thank You and Amen!

Posted in encouragement, relationships, sermon, Uncategorized, West Fayette Presbyterian | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Five Minute Friday — Hands

Posted on June 6, 2014 by wisdomfromafather

Well, it’s Friday, so it must be time to join Lisa Jo and her band of fellow writers at Five Minute Friday (http://lisajobaker.com/2014/06/five-minute-friday-hands/). That’s where we take a prompt word and just run with it … for five minutes with no excessive editing, just five minutes of focused writing and let the words fall where they may. One of our fellow writers, Alia, describes what we do on Fridays as a “wild and wonderful flash mob of words.”

This week, the prompt word is HANDS. So, here goes, the timer is set. START.

I look at my grandchildren’s and great-granddaughters’ hands. So small. So full of promise. I wonder where those hands will take them. What will they do. How will they use those two tiny gifts.

I look at my children’s hands. I remember when they were small and full of promise, and I’ve seen them use those hands at work. They’ve already accomplished much but have so much more to do. They have so much more promise.

I look at my hands, a little marred, scared and gnarled. A couple of bent fingers here and there, a little puffier than the days of my youth. They have taken me far and … STOP

… wide and been part of many magical adventures during a white collar work experience. They were integral in hugging and holding my wife, five children, 19 grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.

I remember my father’s hands. His were callused and rough, befitting his blue collar work experience. The things he did with those hands, the accomplishments he accomplished. Strong yet gentle.

I vaguely remember my great-grandfather’s hands, shriveled after years of confinement in a VA hospital after being gassed in World War I. I wish I could remember him as the skilled barber he was, but I don’t. I remember the vacuum in his eyes, but I do remember the warmth of his hands.

And I see the nail-scarred hands of Jesus … reaching out to six generations of my family.

And I see those same nail-scarred hands of Jesus … reaching out to all generations.

Well, that’s it. Jump on over to http://http://lisajobaker.com/2014/06/five-minute-friday-hands/ and see what my writing circle there are producing.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: You have a role to play in this universe, even if you do not know it yet. Without you, this divine clockwork would not be the same. So look after yourself. There is a reason for your existence.

Posted in family, Five Minute Friday, growing up, Memories, relationships | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

May These Words of My Mouth …

Posted on June 5, 2014 by wisdomfromafather

I walked into church a few weeks ago. Bonnie greeted me with, “Cheryl will send you the songs.” I must have had a quizzical look on my face, because she continued, “Somebody talked to you about preaching June 8, didn’t they?”

Umm, no. I guess that’s what happens when you miss a Session meeting.

I was planning a trip to Maine that weekend, but, it was early enough to switch weekends. So, I guess I’ll be filling in this weekend at West Fayette (NY) Presbyterian Church.

Actually, I really don’t mind. I find it an honor and am thankful the congregation entrusts the pulpit to me.

Now, I don’t preach. I try to turn the liturgical readings into everyday examples and weave theology and real-life Christianity into a lesson we all can follow, including myself. I know I grow each time I lead worship.

This week’s theme is Pentecost and the sermon is titled Do You Feel It? The homily has been written, rehearsed and rewritten … and probably will be tweaked right up until service time.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in YOUR sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

That’s why, my friends, I ask for your prayers again. Pray the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart are indeed pleasing in His sight. I can honestly say I feel your prayers enveloping me whenever I step into the pulpit.

If you happen to be in the Finger Lakes area of New York, I welcome you to join us at 9 a.m. at West Fayette Presbyterian Church, on Route 336 just east of Route 96A and a few miles south of Geneva and north of Sampson State Park. I invite you not to listen to the guy in the pulpit, but to enjoy the fellowship of the little church with the big heart.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: I firmly believe what happens in your past is a life lesson … something you learn from. I do believe one should never, ever let the negative things that have happened in their life define who they are. If you constantly live in the past, you never look to the future.

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Nature’s Melody

Posted on June 4, 2014 by wisdomfromafather

I was out in the gazebo the other morning when my youngest live-in granddaughter joined me. Here’s a synopsis of the conversation … but first, you need to know a little background and my daily routine.

First, whenever I’m checking mail or Facebook or working, often I have the television on tuned to instrumentals as background music. That’s an important point to remember.

Second, my morning routine is to brew a cup of coffee, check my vitals (blood pressure and glucose), get breakfast (usually toast or cereal) and take the coffee and breakfast to the gazebo. I pull out my Interpreter’s Bible and delve into some Scripture, read Karen her morning cartoon, and dig into breakfast.

The other day, I was dutifully trying to follow Ezekial when Karly bounced into the gazebo.

“That’s a big bible,” she said, swinging her feet on the wicker love seat.

I looked up, smiled, and explained it wasn’t really a bible. It was more of a detailed explanation of bible passages.

“Oh,” she answered, seemingly satisfied. So I went back to the text.

“That’s what we do in Good News Club.”

It was obvious it was time for real-time Christianity, so I closed the book and turned my attention to the little one.

And the questions began. Why are there two urns {we purchased two urns interlocked in circles}? How come your name is on one of them {because that will be my home after I die}? Look at the squirrel {I told her about my experience with the squirrel, robin and bee}! That’s creepy {Oookaaayyy}! Why do you come out here every morning {to sit with Grandma and enjoy the outdoors}?  It’s nice out here {yes it is}. It’s quiet out here {usually}. What time is it {time to go out front for the bus}?

And as she adjusts her bookbag and gets set to leave, she states nonchalantly, “The sounds outside make good background music.”

“Yes, they do. You have a good day at school, because you started me off on a good day.”

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: When everyone around you seems to be in bad spirits, bickering and complaining, take a step back. It’s so easy to answer in kind, but instead feel into your heart and answer gently. Let peace radiate from you.

Posted in encouragement, family, nature, relationships, robins, squirrels | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Joseph of Willard

Posted on June 1, 2014 by wisdomfromafather

First … a disclosure … I’m not a saint.

Now that we got that out of the way, this morning I had a Francis of Assisi moment. Let me explain …

Francis was a Catholic friar known for giving away his fortune and founding the Catholic men’s Order of Friars Minor, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the Third Order of St. Francis for men and women not able to live the lives of itinerant preachers, followed by the early members of the Order of Friars Minor or the monastic lives of the Poor Clares. But he was also known for his love of nature and its inhabitants. It is said, one day, while Francis was traveling with some companions, they happened upon a place in the road where birds filled the trees on either side. Francis told his companions to “wait for me while I go to preach to my sisters the birds.” The birds surrounded him, intrigued by the power of his voice, and not one of them flew away. He is often portrayed with a bird, typically in his hand.

None of that is me, but here’s my Francis moment.

This morning, while out in the gazebo, I was just soaking in the quietness of nature. The sun was shining. There was a slight breeze.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a squirrel — they are so much fun to watch — with a big old nut in his mouth. He hopped toward the garage, did an about face, headed into brush, dug a little to bury the nut and started toward the gazebo. I figured he would veer off, but all of a sudden the wicker rocker started to rock and little squirrel jumped onto the seat … just sat there staring at me.

Meanwhile, a rocking robin was bobbing for breakfast. Next thing I knew, he wound up on the gazebo railing … just sat there staring at me.

Finally, a bee started buzzing around my head. Without swatting I simply said, “I’m not going to bother you, so don’t bother me.” The bee just buzzed back and forth about six inches from my head.

So, there we were … silly squirrel, rockin’ robin, busy bee and me … all at one in harmony with nature. It was truly a moment to savor.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: When everything in life turns upside down, remember you are in the hands of the Creator. Look to God, and you’ll always know which way is up.

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The Pied Piper

Posted on May 31, 2014 by wisdomfromafather

Did you ever have one of those songs just take up residence in your mind?

Have I got a story for you. I was reminded of it this morning when I was power-napping after an early rise to take my grandkids to school to catch the bus for a band competition. That’s another story not relevant to today’s topic.

Anyway, I was in that state of suspended consciousness. I had Malt Shop Oldies on the television for background music, laid back in the recliner, closed my eyes and let nature do the rest. I could hear the music {although I didn’t hear my youngest in-home grandchild get up} and just drifted off to the sweet sounds of the ’50s and ’60s.

One of the songs — or at least one I remember hearing since I drifted off for the better part of an hour — was The Pied Piper by Crispian St. Peters. Even in my present state of mind, the song triggered a deep memory.

Oh, wait a minute. You never heard The Pied Piper by Crispian St. Peters? It turned into a Top 10 hit back in 1966, but my first recollection was when this British invasion made its appearance in my teenage world in northern New Jersey.

One Saturday night Bernie and Karen {yes, my Karen} and Nora and I were going on a double date. We picked up Karen and were heading to Nora’s to get her. From the back seat, I started singing {not very well, of course, which is why I had the reaction from them} “…I’m the Pied Piper … Follow me … I’m the Pied Piper … And I’ll show you where it’s at …”

“What!” they both screamed out almost simultaneously.

“It’s a song I heard earlier. I can’t get it out of my head.”

“You’re nuts,” said Bernie.

“No, really. I heard it earlier.”

“You’re just making that up,” added Karen.

“No, really. It’s by some English guy, Christian Somethingorother.”

“Get out of here,” added Karen. Turning to Bernie, she asked, “Where did you find this guy?” And my best friend adds, “Welcome to my world.”

But I kept singing the chorus {all I remembered at the time} until they turned up the radio to drown me out and we got to Nora’s.

Now, that could have been the end of the story, but they started calling me the pied piper. And Nora decided to jump on the bandwagon. For awhile, since the song was still not very popular and had little play time, I thought maybe I was imagining the song or was onto some really cool lyrics. Remember, back then we didn’t have the electronic resources to validate out thought processes.

Fast forward a week. We — the four of us — decided to head for the shore for the night. We’re doing about 60 on the Garden State Parkway. Bernie was driving. Karen and Bernie were talking. I was in the back nuzzling with Nora. All of a sudden, I hear The Pied Piper on the radio.

“That’s it!” I screamed.

Of course, that scared the bejeebers out of Bernie who immediately hit the brakes. As bodies rattled around the car {remember, no seat belts back then}, I added, “That’s it! That’s the song. The Pied Piper. Turn it up. I told you I wasn’t crazy!”

Well … the jury is still out on that. But I “discovered” The Pied Piper and whenever I do hear it — which is not often — my mind skips back to the summer of ’66.

Come on, babe … Follow me … Come on, babe … Trust in me … Come on, babe … Can’t you see … Come on, babe … Follow me … I’m the Pied Piper ..

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: A conscience is what hurts when everything else feels great.

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Five Minute Friday — Nothing

Posted on May 30, 2014 by wisdomfromafather

It’s Friday. You know what that means … Five Minute Friday.

Lisa Jo (http://lisajobaker.com/2014/05/five-minute-friday-nothing/)always seems to come up with a prompt word to make you think. And even though the rules call for spontaneous five minute writing and see what comes out — not necessarily a perfect post, not even a profound post, just five minutes of focused writing — you have to have a general game plan. Even though the words flow, they need a direction — or at least a start. And yes, the mind’s eye often changes direction as the fingers skim across the keys.

You see this diversity in the writing flash mob that follows Lisa Jo. And that’s what makes Five Minute Friday so special.

This week’s prompt is NOTHING! So, here goes … the timer starts NOW:

I was living large, enjoying life, doing what I wanted when I wanted. Suddenly the winds changed and I became addicted to {fill in the blank}. I realized it, and prayed. Lord, please help me in my moments of weakness.

Nothing happened. I remained in bondage … in fact I got in deeper.

My addiction cost me plenty. My income was soon depleted. I was living on borrowed time, another bondage. So, I prayed.

Nothing happened. In fact, things got worse. My savings dwindled, my earning power dropped significantly.

Next, my personal relationships soured. Friends didn’t want to see me. Those who did were enablers. My family shunned me. My significant other left me.

I blamed myself, but I prayed. Lord. Please help me!

Nothing happened. In fact things got worse. My health … STOP

… deteriorated. And I prayed. But it was a different prayer. “Lord, I’m empty. I have nothing. I am nothing. I deserve nothing. I’m so sorry I squandered my life … Your precious gift. I tried doing things my way, but I have nothing to show for it. Nothing.”

And the Lord reached down and touched me.” I do My best work with nothing. Just watch My handiwork and let Me shine through you.”

Well, that’s it. That’s what I came up with from Nothing.

Just as a postscript, this was written in the first person, but it was a universal first person with the message resonating for each and every one of us.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Anytime God puts a dream in your heart and you start pursuing it, you can be sure the critics will show up. Choose to rise above the negative voices!

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Back Outside

Posted on May 25, 2014 by wisdomfromafather

I always get a little melancholic around this time of year {as well as the end of summer and the September-November range}. Maybe melancholic isn’t the right word. It’s not that I go into a moody, gloomy funk, but the time of the year puts me in an introspective frame of mind … a bittersweet look inward as I bring Karen’s ashes outside to the gazebo from her winter’s perch on the fireplace mantel.

It’s bitter because it reminds me all I have left of her is her ashes, neatly tucked inside a bronze urn. And I am reminded how much I miss her, even after five and half years.

It’s sweet because it reminds me I have more than her ashes, tucked inside a bronze urn. I have our memories and I feel her spirit release in the late spring sunshine.

I actually moved her Saturday, but had a host of things to do, so the full rhythm of interacting with her in the gazebo {there are a host of blogs from the gazebo already written and logged} didn’t start until this morning.

My routine since Karen died was actually a routine I started years and years ago … when she was very much alive. I would have a cartoon sitting on the table by her coffee cup and we would — whenever possible — start the morning sipping java, usually with a groan or a giggle as she read the day’s “funny.” And each week I would place a postcard-sized placard on the refrigerator with a cartoon and, hopefully, an inspirational thought. I caught her looking at that card numerous times during the week.

cartoonI admit I slacked off this winter with the daily cartoons, but I think I’m getting back in the groove as winter’s grayness transforms to summer’s sunshine and color.

This morning, I greeted Karen outside with a fresh cup of coffee and a sweet roll in my hand. I brought down my Interpreter’s Bible to continue my wake-up time with the Lord {He’s really challenging me with Ezekiel}, read through the prescribed Reflection and turned my attention to Karen. Just like the old days.

cartoonvOf course, I have to read her the cartoon now and, since it was Sunday, the postcard. After 40-plus years of marriage, I think I know what kind of reaction she would have had and I either groan or giggle.

And then I talk to her. Well, it’s not really talking since it isn’t verbal. After all, I wouldn’t want the neighbors to think I’ve gone completely over the edge … although I’m pretty sure they suspect I’m pretty close.

But through mental communication, we started conversing about the garden, the roses, the grass and all the other backyard appearances since last November. The conversation went something like this:

Karen: “It’s good to be back outside in the fresh air.”

Me: “Yeah, I thought you would like it. It was time.”

K:  “The sun is bright. There’s still a crispness in the air, but you know Sweetie {she always called me that when there was something on her mind}, there are more weeds in the garden than flowers.”

M: “I know. They have to be pulled and cleaned up.”

K: “And the roses? What’s with the roses?”

As an update, we planted a rose bush for each of our grandchildren, and, quite frankly, we’re running out of room. I’m still one shy for a grandchild and two shy for my great-grandchildren.

M: “Well, Sweetheart {my response to Sweetie}, this was a bad winter. The roses are blooming late {and we actually lost two and all four transplants}.”

K: “Yeaaah, but, you could trim some of those dead branches.”

M: “Okay, dear, I will {and in fact did Sunday afternoon … and I have the thorn marks to prove it!}.”

K: “The grass sure is green, but maybe a little long? Especially around the rock border?”

M: “Yes, dear, I have to pick up some weed whacker string. It’s on my list. And I’m getting some paint for the grandkids’ rocks, too.” pre-empting her next comment.

K: “Thank you, dear. But, can you sweep out the gazebo, too? There’s a lot of winter’s whirlygigs all over the place. Oh, and the walkway.”

M: “I’ll get the blower out and take care of it.”

K: “Thank you, dear.”

M: “I have my to do list ready to go. You know, things will be different when we retire to Maine {that’s where we decided to go before she got sick}.”

K: “Yeaah, right. By the way, I didn’t see you write down your to do list…”

M: “Oh, look! It’s time to go to church.”

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Meaning doesn’t lie in things; meaning lies in us. When we attach value to things that aren’t love — the money, the car, the house — we’re loving things that can’t love us back. We’re searching for meaning in the meaningless, and this will always cause pain.

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Five Minute Friday — Close

Posted on May 23, 2014 by wisdomfromafather

It’s Friday. Time for Five Minute Friday.

Under Lisa Jo Baker’s direction (http://lisajobaker.com/2014/05/five-minute-friday-close/), hundreds of bloggers rally around a themed word and, well, write for five minutes. No rules. No backtracks. Nothing profound. Not perfect. Just five minutes of writing, letting the Spirit move you.

Our word this week is CLOSE.

A new day opens. New opportunities unfold. We may have a to do list or just serendipitously ramble through the day. From the time we get up until the time we go to bed, there are countless opportunities to make choices … some good, some bad and most neutral. But, as we lay our heads on the pillow at the end of the day, that door closes … forever.

Life is a series of days, each opening its own chapter in the grand novel of our lives. Some things are important — milestones. Others are just day-by-day adventures. Those chapters eventually close, but all create memories stored within us.

The same is true for our spiritual life. Not everyday is an epiphany. There are days when we just wander through out spiritual life, others days when we proclaim it like the first Christians. But as we draw our last breath, that final chapter, too, will close.

Then what?

Well, that’s the biggest decision we have to make … before the door closes! … STOP

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: If God is smiling, He will show His pleasure by giving you this supernatural sense of His peace deep inside; this stubborn confidence; a poise that’s there even if everyone else is frowning. You may still have doubts, but when you’re alone in His presence — it’s just you and Him — you’ll just know you’ve done the right thing. That peace, that sense of rightness, okay-ness, will be there in the midst of the confusion.

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