Week 26 2013 Sonshine

Currently, we have been enjoying sunny weather.  It has been a little balmy in New England, but after so much rain during May and June, the sun is nice to see.  Having grown up in Sacramento, California, we are not really used to rain in the summer.  As we travel the country, it has become abundantly clear that our youthful experience is in the minority.  So, we are adjusting.  The rain is often followed with warm, humid air.  It’s uncomfortable, but air-conditioning makes it bearable.  The primary benefit is the sun.  Not that we are sun worshipers, quite the opposite.  Rather, we are son worshipers.

It’s all about the light.  Light overcomes the darkness, exposing the beauty of God’s creation.  Following a storm, the sun brings out all the vibrant colors.  The creek behind our motor home is flowing faster, providing soothing music for the soul.  The sunlight generously gives of itself so that plants can grow and flowers bloom.  The sky is blue and the clouds are white.  The consummate beauty can be enjoyed by all who will take the time to appreciate it.  However, for many, it’s just another day.  They miss a blessing that is free for all.

The Son also provides light, exposing the awesome beauty of God’s grace.  Again, this light is a gift that can be enjoyed by all who will take the time to appreciate it.  Unfortunately, there are many who miss this blessing, not understanding this free gift of love.  The primary difference between this Son and earth’s son is that we can have His light 24/7!  “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:5-10

Week 25 2013 Copper Pearl

While watching an episode of Overhaulin’, a cable program where Foose and company build and restore cars to surprise their owners, I found it interesting that paint could cost $2,000 a gallon.  True, it was a special mixture, and copper pearl is a very rare color that requires a special formula with exacting proportions, but $2,000?!  As the work on this car progressed throughout the show, the obvious extravagance from custom frame work to body and interior, as well as, a top-of-the-line 200 horsepower engine that required compartment modifications to make it fit, the costs kept mounting up.  The end result was a car that exceeded factory specs by leaps and bounds.  It was new from the ground up, and it was beautiful.  I really hope that the recipient appreciated the lengths and cost of the Foose customization on his VW Beetle.  From all indications, he was.  I have never seen such a tricked-out Volkswagon.

However, if you have ever watched this show, you know that their creations are always spectacular.  Each job requires the work of dozens of people who are specialists in their particular fields.  These are craftsmen who take pride in their work.  It is obvious that they are passionate about their jobs.  It’s difficult to put a price on this kind of workmanship, although they do.  It is a small minority who has the financial resources required to finance this type of art.  The materials and labor can be tens of thousands of dollars.  The show leaves one believing that each completed project is a gift to the owner who is being surprised.  That seems to be the case.  Yet, the television production company doesn’t get off for free, neither do the sponsors.  Furthermore, the show helps to promote business that isn’t aired on national television.  That being said, no one, regardless of their gifts and talents, goes hungry on Overhaulin’.

Now, consider another customization, one that transforms what was once broken, deteriorating, and flawed beyond repair.  This rebuild can only be done by one person.  He is the only one with the skills and necessary materials.  Much like Jim Foose, this rebuilder is an artist.  He has a mental image of what the final product will look like and how it will function.  Unlike Foose, however, this artist has unlimited resources.  Furthermore, the recipient doesn’t need to pay anything.  In fact, the benefactor could not buy this restoration with all the money in the world.  I’m sure by now that you have figured out the artist I’m talking about.  That’s right, God has taken this worthless piece of clay and transformed him into someone of infinite value.  And, while He didn’t need anyone’s help, He enlisted many to accomplish His work.  All of the changes have been precise, being overseen by Perfection, Himself.  And, while it didn’t cost me anything, it cost Him everything!  Jesus gave up His life in order to transform mine.  He allowed His blood to be shed on a cross of shame, and then demonstrated His magnificence by overcoming the grave, and allowing me to see that this transformation will not fade or deteriorate.  No, this overhaulin’ is infinite.  I am a new creation from the ground up!  My pearl copper paint job will never peal or crack, and my Creator will always keep me fresh and new.

Week 24 2013 Laugh Out Loud

As we made our way to our next campground in Maine with our motorhome, we drove past Joshy’s.  This is a little roadside eatery that we remember from our last trip to Maine.  They serve wonderful lobster rolls.  After we got set up at our campsite, we drove our Jeep back to Joshy’s for dinner.  Una was getting a little nervous about the route.  She said, “This looks like we’re going back the same way we came in!”

I wasn’t sure what to say.  She was stating the obvious, but she thought there was something wrong with our route.  It was what we often refer to as a “blonde moment.”  When I finally said, “Well, I think we should be if we’re going to Joshy’s,” it dawned on her, and she started laughing out loud.  In fact, with the realization of what she had done, she and I both laughed so hard that we had tears streaming.

Since then, we will be going down the road on our sightseeing trips and I will say, “I think we’re going the same way we were.”  She will laugh all over again.  This is one of Una’s most endearing qualities, the ability to laugh at herself.  Laughter is a big part of her life.  While I am in the other room watching some drama I’ve recorded, she will be watching a sitcom.  It warms my heart to hear her cackling in the other room.

She has often told me that she has added ten years to my life by making me laugh so much.  There is some truth to her statement.  Studies have shown that people who laugh are generally healthier.  God has intended joy for our lives.  He has provided much to promote enjoyment.  Praise is closely aligned with laughter.  Each makes the heart merry.

“A cheerful disposition is good for your health;
    gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.”  Proverbs 17:22 (MSG)

Week 23 2013 Colors

We have thoroughly enjoyed having a high quality camera.  The pictures are amazing, not withstanding the one behind the camera.  Our Nikon has many special features.  Along with the various automatic settings, there are manual settings making this a camera for the amateur and the professional.  One of the automatic settings we have enjoyed is the flower setting.  Placed in this position it takes close up pictures of flowers that rival any we have seen taken by professional photographers and used in Windows software for background and screen saver pictures.  As we take these photos, I am in awe of the colors.  Between these and the various sunsets we are able to capture, I am in awe of our Creator’s artistry.

My mother was an artist.  She painted with oils and produced masterpieces.  Her talent was mostly wasted.  But, it doesn’t negate the fact that God endowed her with a wonderful gift.  Millions of dollars are spent on human artistry.  I understand the attraction.  What I don’t understand is the lack of credit given to the greatest artist.  He provides us with a constant changing landscape that is poorly imitated by His greatest creation.  That isn’t to say that a Thomas Kincaide or any other divinely inspired artistic work isn’t worthy of appreciation.  What I am saying is that when we view Michelangelo’s work we should also acknowledge the source of his creativity.

As wonderful as any true artist is, they cannot equal the beauty of the Master.  His colors are so varied, we can only hope to reproduce some of them.  Even with the aide of computers, we still do not have the wherewithal to duplicate His entire array.  However, we do have the capacity to appreciate the wonder!

Week 22 2013 This World Is Not My Home

At times I find myself getting so wrapped up in current politics that I miss the big picture.  As a patriotic American who volunteered to serve his country in the middle of one of our most unpopular wars, Vietnam, I love the nation I was born into.  The United States of America has always represented to me a nation that has been chosen by God to be a beacon to the world, a light that shines brighter than any other, because she demonstrates the freedom Christ died in order to bring to anyone and everyone who would choose to make Him the Lord of their life!  Indeed, the founding fathers held this view, seeing America as the city upon the hill, beaconing all who were weary to its shores, so that any who would choose to live here might be free to worship and live as they please without government intrusion.  They acknowledged the Father as the only true supreme commander, the only King!  In our Declaration of Independence from a nation whose government had stifled freedom, we boldly proclaim, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  My heart swells when I look at our banner flying, and our men and women in uniform.  For two centuries the U.S. has represented freedom, and peoples from every nation have come to our land to escape intrusive government and enjoy a land of opportunity.

However, in my lifetime I have witnessed the gradual degradation of our freedoms.  Our government has become increasingly intrusive, dictating what we can eat and drink, where we can live, what land we can place our feet on, where we can travel, how we receive medical treatment.  And then, to add salt to wounds, our government demands that we foot the bill for their intrusion on our liberty!  Taxes are more than triple what they were when we declared our independence from England, yet the politicians want to increase our tax burden even more!  The very first “unalienable” right, life, has been denied to millions of unborn babies by a Supreme Court that is supposed to be in place to guarantee our rights.  If you think our liberty isn’t being infringed upon try having a chronic medical issue that requires medications that our government has deemed to be dangerous.  Our doctors and pharmacists’ hands are being tied by federal and state regulations.  Pursuit of happiness is a foreign concept to someone who has been born under bondage to a welfare system that strips people of their dignity and self-respect.  I spent too many years in the classroom, listening to young people who had no hope for the future because the government had been supporting their families for generations.  While opportunity is proclaimed a right for every citizen, in practice opportunity is denied to those who refuse to follow the dictates of superiors in education and government.  America is still the land of the free, but not as much as she used to be.  I am not as optimistic about her future as I once was.  Which brings me back to where I started.

Although a loyal American, I am first and foremost a Christian!  My true citizenship lies not in an earthly nation, but in one that is not of the world.  I am a stranger and an alien in this world (Hebrews 13:14; 1 Peter 2:11).  I must remind myself that earthly kingdoms come and go, but our heavenly kingdom is eternal.  Therefore, I should keep my eyes focused on Jesus, understanding that He is in control.  As mortals, we are prone to follow leaders who lead us astray.  History has demonstrated this sad fact.  Worldly leaders are deceptive, and America is not immune to that sort of deception.  However, our God will never lead us astray, and there is no deception in Him!  On that we can depend and boldly proclaim, “This world is not my home.  I’m just a passing through.”

Week 21 2013 Knowing When to Say When

 Over the years we have been blessed to attend many concerts, from rock and roll to gospel to country western to folk to classical, at venues from school auditoriums to casinos to county fairs.  Over the past week we have attended three separate concerts at a Good Sam rally in Syracuse, New York.  Each one was a different style of music.  Wayne Newton’s was more of an easy listening (I say this tongue in cheek.  You will understand in a moment.).  Reba McEntire entertained us with country western.  The Vogues brought the fifties and sixties back to us.  All three concerts were entertaining.  That is, except for Wayne Newton attempting to sing, well, and talk.

While the lead singer for the Vogues, Bill Burkette, and Wayne Newton are near the same age, only Bill is near the same sound as he was back in the day.  Of the three singers, Wayne Newton seems to have had more cosmetic work in an attempt to avoid aging.  In my humble opinion, Mr. Newton has ruined his voice with the many botox injections he’s received over the years.  As I researched his career, I discovered that he pretty much lost his voice about four years ago.  It is almost painful to listen to him trying to sing when he can barely talk!  He had a wonderful tenor voice that many enjoyed for many years.  It’s unfortunate that he doesn’t seem to realize how much he is embarrassing himself when he attempts to sing on stage, and cannot manage to carry a tune.  Having said that, he is still an entertainer.  When he moved from piano to banjo to guitar to fiddle, he was very impressive.  When he introduced his back up singer and let her sing a solo, it was good.  He has a marvelous orchestra, and his comedy is funny.  I would highly recommend that he change his stage show to a variety performance, showcasing new and upcoming talent.  He could still

a presence and not disappoint his fans.  While some might say his voice is gone from overuse or age, whatever the reason, it’s very important to know when to say when.

For our part, it was good that he was the first concert, because the other two could only be better, and they were!  Even though I am not an avid country western fan, I must admit that Reba put on a fantastic show, sounding every bit as good as she did thirty years ago.  She also showcased her backup singers and band, while providing solid entertainment.  Granted, she is a bit younger than Wayne Newton, but she is no spring chicken.  She has obviously taken steps to protect and enhance her voice.

Many of you have probably not heard of the Vogues.  Or, if you have, you might not remember.  They were a very popular group in the sixties.  Some of their greatest hits were “Turn Around, Look at Me,” “You’re the One,” and “Five O’clock World.”  The only original member of the group was Bill Burkette.  Fortunately, he was the lead singer of the original group.  One of his accompanying vocalists is the son of one of the other original members who is deceased.  While Bill Burkette did not sound as good as he did back in the day, he still sounded good.  He didn’t embarrass himself, or disappoint his fans.  The group was highly entertaining!

Week 20 2013 Digital Losses

I suffered a case of déjà vu recently.  Forty-five years ago I worked at a camper factory in Grants Pass, Oregon, Caveman Campers.  It was a great example of perseverance.  I had recently been discharged from the Navy.  The primary employer in Grant Pass was Caveman Campers.  I had a friend who worked there.  So, every morning I would take him to work, dressed in my work clothes and a bag lunch in hand.  After three weeks of my everyday vigil, a supervisor came up to me, chuckled, and said, “I gotta hire ya.”  The first week he had me setting cabinets in campers as they rolled down the assembly line.  I was terrible!  Try as I may, I could not pick up any speed at this job.  At the end of the week, the foreman came and told me that this was not the place for me.  However, instead of letting me go, he switched me to a different position, making cuts on a table saw.  Forty-five minutes before quitting time, I inadvertently touched the blade with my left thumb.  With the tip hanging by a piece of skin, I went to the foreman and told him I had a problem.  I thought he was gonna pass out.  They rushed me to the hospital where they successfully sewed my thumb back together.  On Monday I returned to my table saw with a thumb guard on my hand.  This was the position for me, for even with the limitations of my bandaged thumb, I was able to get ahead on my list of cuts on the saw.

All of that to lead up to my case of déjà vu.  Recently, while at a camper rally, I was working on making a pen, when a block of wood I was cutting got caught in the saw blade and pushed that same thumb into the blade!  Well, this time it was my sweetie who got excited while she rushed me to the emergency room in Goshen, Indiana.  Once again, the skilled medical personnel was able to put me back together.

However, it gave me pause to consider my digits and what I would do without any one of them.  We are used to having all of our body parts.  When we are unable to use one of them, it becomes somewhat of an inconvenience, to say the least.  God created us to be a whole person, with many functions, all for our benefit.  Yet, He tells us that we would be better off without some parts of our bodies if those parts lead us into sin.  Now, I’m not suggesting that my thumb would lead me into sin.  Nor am I intimating that I was attempting to remove it so as not to be lead into sin by it.  What I am saying is that we would do well to consider how we use our separate parts.  Does the use of our functions bring honor to God, or do we let these functions come under the direction of Satan?  We live in a world that is filled with wickedness.  There is evil at every turn.  A day doesn’t go by without the news reporting some heinous crime committed by someone using the functions of their God-given bodies in ways that God never intended.  While my damage to my thumb didn’t come through the commission of a crime, it did come by my not paying close attention to how I was using that digit.  God has given us this wonderful body.  It is priceless!  We need to consider how we use it.