LIFEbasics’ writ & wit

The heat Is On

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 19:34:46 -0400

I have happened into a simple workout routine that, pardon the pun, “works” for me. I run in the mornings around our community’s Central Park Lake. Situated a few hundred yards from our house, the lake is a beautiful setting teaming with wildlife, sights, sounds and always a sense of tranquility.

My daily run almost always follows morning reading, prayer, study and sermon preparation. My run often includes some thinking, processing and mulling over what is most on my mind at the time.

Over the last few days the heat has consistently risen above 100 degrees. The heat index has climbed even higher. When it doesn’t hit 100 it still feels like it.

I noticed on a recent morning that the heat had taken a toll beyond the most obvious physical effect. I was almost all the way around the lake when I realized I had ceased to enjoy the setting. The assorted foliage and water fowl, and the teeming life and beauty of the pastoral lake shore had all but disappeared because of the oppressive heat. The beauty of a truly wonderful park began to fade under the burden of my growing physical discomfort.

Oppressive heat is not only distracting, it is dangerous. We are warned in “heat advisories” of the real dangers of this kind of heat. I have concluded in this intolerable heat I simply cannot do what is easy to do in milder temps.

I have an unwritten checklist, at least to this point, that I work through each morning while the heat is on. It makes good sense not just for running, but for living. Over the next posts, I want to share some of those insights or tips from my running “when the heat is on.”

1. The hotter it is the earlier you have to start.

I have run midday in the spring and winter, but not on days like these. I prefer running mid to late morning, but lately I have pushed my time earlier and earlier to avoid the most awful heat. Running becomes a good break after morning study. I often “process” what is on my mind as I run. In this heat even 10 AM is too late. The heat makes me feel like mush. My legs become like lead and my head would make a good place for a solar panel. As the temps have risen higher and higher, I have pushed my workout time earlier and earlier.

Leading a church launch and transition can make things hot. I find it is more difficult to keep my cool when I’m feeling the heat of doubt, financial strain, criticism, and uncertainty. Every decision takes on heightened significance. Mistakes become more costly. Missteps can be more injurious. Wisdom is needed. A cool head is essential.

I’ve found myself during difficult times pushing the start time earlier. It is difficult to make devotional time (some say quiet time) a priority. I guess that is why it is considered and even called a spiritual discipline. If it was easy, it would not take effort and regimen. I get with God first thing. When the heat is on, I get with God even earlier.

Extreme heat calls for adjustment, even in our routines and schedules. It requires a fresh look at priorities. There are seasons when there is an even greater need to be prepared. When things are hot, we are tempted to live too much in the margins of life. Starting earlier builds greater margins. Heat can be a good thing if it leads to a new desperation for Godly insight, wisdom and knowledge. David talked about meeting with God in the early part of day, he knew what it meant for the heat to be on.

If the heat requires an adjustment in timing; even starting earlier, we will get the time back through better productivity and better utilization of the rest of the day. The earlier start time can mean the difference between a day of fatigue, gloom and exhaustion, or one of preparedness, clear thinking and requisite energy. The hotter it gets, the earlier we may have to start.

Next tip: Drink a lot of water and drink it long before you face the heat.

Haley and Heather

Sat, 16 May 2009 06:59:52 -0400

The last couple of weekends have been nothing short of emotionally challenging for this dad. Two daughters have stirred the deepest sentiments of a father who prefers to elude displays of sappy emotions. I had a one-two punch over the last eight days.

Heather

First, Heather is engaged. My youngest redhead said, “Yes” last Saturday night to that most important question. Nicholas Bishop had asked for our permission and blessing on asking for her hand in marriage a couple of weeks ago and Kathy and I much appreciated the important and often forgotten courtesy. He was so nervous as he spoke with Kathy and me. He rambled on non-stop for about 20 minutes. I finally had to leave for a meeting having never found a moment to interrupt and grant permission. I did so later to Nic’s relief.

We joined his plan to make the occasion special. Heather and Nicholas have been an “item” for several years. Heather was expecting the question. She was not expecting a surprise celebration. Having been reassured that Heather would say yes, we agreed to assist with the ruse. Keeping a secret from a most intuitive female is a challenge. Heather is usually in the know and she is not easily tricked.

Nicholas enlisted friend Karen Burns and Heather’s sister, Haley to arrange the surprise. Heather didn’t make it easy. Several of us lost weight under the pressure of maintaining coordinating stories, making clandestine meetings and secretly preparing and getting family and friends, some from out of town, at the appointed place for the celebration. At a local restaurant, Nic on bended knee popped the question. He then brought his new fiance´ to the rendezvous. Heather was indeed surprised and her tears brought joy to my heart and a discomforting mist to my eyes.

Heather will graduate as a Registered Nurse in August and will be a blessing of healing to any patient fortunate enough to be under her care. Nicholas has been training for ministry and plans to transfer to the Baptist College of Florida before doing his seminary work. He has proven himself to be a man of integrity and has conducted himself with consistency and character over these last years. They plan a 2010 wedding.

Haley

This immediate weekend, we traveled to Birmingham, Alabama to attend my oldest Daughter’s graduation from Samford University. The baccalaureate service on Friday evening was meaningful, but the commencement service on Saturday morning at the Thomas Corts Arena on the immaculate campus of colonial brick buildings and manicured lawns did bring a tear to my eye. Five years ago, we had dropped Haley off for her freshman year with much angst and parental concern. She made it.

Haley had made the decision just before her senior year to become a Physician Assistant. She stayed home for a year working full time at a lobbying firm and getting her needed science prerequisites for the demanding program. Armed with her years worth of extra credits, she returned for her final semester at Samford in January. She received from the hand of Dr. Andrew Westmoreland, Samford president, the Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Howard College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. She has been accepted into the Surgical Physician Assistant graduate program at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. She will begin her UAB experience this fall. I return home tired from holding back the tears.

I am, as anyone who knows me, very proud of my daughters. While I understand that their academic acumen and discipline is owed largely to their mother, I still bask in the joy of their accomplishments. Any father worth his salt would do the same.

Perhaps, even more important than the major milestones in their respective lives is the proven love and commitment Haley and Heather have shown to one another and to their family. Haley interrupted the last week of school including papers due and finals to be in Tallahassee and assist with the engagement party. Heather took leave of the beginning of her last and most concentrated nursing semester to attend Haley’s graduation ceremony. They continually demonstrate that commitment is not what you do only when convenient. They show loyalty to their family, their church and their Lord.

So you will understand if a proud father takes a point of personal privilege and says, “Haley and Heather, I am immensely and immeasurably proud of you and love you so much. The sky is the limit of your dreams. You’ve both got the stuff of which greatness is borne and I look with anticipation to where that greatness will carry you.”

At the movies

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:39:26 -0400

We have experienced our first Easter at the theater. It was my very first one in “casual” dress. Someone commented that it was the first Easter in memory that wasn’t preceded by hours of shopping for new attire, and the Sunday morning primping, stress and last minute adjustments so that all the kids looked perfect. No strutting this easter. I admit that I was planning on wearing a coat and tie, but couldn’t get a look that was casual. Everything was way too dressy and formal.

It is amazing how many things we can pile on to a time of worship - Good things that sometime get out of hand. Traditions anchored to truths can be great, but if the tradition overshadows the truth, it is time to kill it. It is true that folks often dressed in their very best clothes to honor God when they came to church. But lets get real. I wonder how many believers actually thought, “I can honor God best today by wearing this outfit.” I think few.

If you haven’t figured it out, casual dress is a great equalizer. We had representatives from all strata of society in attendance Sunday, but you would never have guessed anyone’s social class by the clothes they were wearing.

So much stuff that we have piled on to our version of Christianity does nothing to help us spiritually, but only soothes us culturally. It is the same subtle drift of the Pharisees. I don’t think they were all bad guys, although some were downright evil, but they were misguided, and though sincere, very wrong. There was Jesus Christ right before them and they refused to see Him as Messiah.

We want to display with our actions and attitudes the good stuff of God. We should continue to re-state what we value: knowing God, God’s word, community, involvement, relationships, empowerment, authenticity, and celebration. All of those things we value will come together this weekend. What we must see, recognize and honor is the Lordship of Jesus. He is the Anointed One. He is Messiah and Savior.

Happy Birthday

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 14:06:04 -0400

Tomorrow is my bride’s birthday. Indulge me for a few thoughts.

As brides go, I could not have done any better. I remember a professor years ago upon meeting my wife (and being quite acquainted with me) remarked, “Don, I think you out-married yourself.” Okay, so I am a high achiever in some areas. He was right. Guys, let me encourage you. Aim high. It pays off.

Being a wife has its own challenges, but being the wife of a pastor is indeed a unique calling. Most folks whom I have served as shepherd understand that they are blessed by their pastor’s wife. She conducts herself with class, with charm, and with a quiet strength that few women know. Oh yes, she is a redhead, but she keeps things in check. I would suggest that you don’t cross her, though. She’s a rock. At the risk of being impudent, I would say to my peers that my bride outshines them all.

She is a rather cool mother, too. Our two daughters can’t thank their Dad that they turned out so well, but rather their mom. A mom who was always in their business, on their side, for their team, their best fan, their advocate, their teacher, their mentor, their nurse, but always their mom. I was of little use with the exception of a few math problems and “there’s a spider in the tub!” They will increasingly understand what a great mentor they have enjoyed in their relationship with Mom.

Kathy is a chip off the old block. Her dad attacks every job, chore, hobby and task with a vengeance. So does his daughter. Look out if she gets on one of her cleaning binges. I would suggest you just stay the heck out of the way. Like her mom she is studious and deliberate in any assignment. She would have been a great FBI agent had she not married me. Her parents are, rightly so, proud of her.

So, let me shout out a Happy Birthday, babe. Since we are participating in the economic recession, there will be no birthday cruise, diamond, or car. There will be “a whole lot’a love” from hubby and the girls...love you.

In the papers

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 07:31:02 -0400

“You’re in the paper.” It is not always a good thing to hear you are written up in the newspaper. Try googling “pastor” and a word like “offender” and you may see more than a few stories in the not-so-flattering vain about those who claim the profession. When there is a good story to tell, some newspapers are not always interested in the facts. A few can totally decimate the good with a twist or turn of words. Such was not the case with the Democrat.

Our story is positive. When Sharon Kant-Rauch first called, I determined to be a forthright as possible and let the chips fall where they may. Sharon interviewed me for over an hour on the phone. She showed up Sunday morning early with video and still cameras. She poked and prodded and you can read the results here.

I am grateful to her for her genuine interest, her attempt to capture what we are really about, her interviewing many of our attendees, and I am especially impressed with the amount of time she invested to get the story right and make it interesting.

Would I have said, “He put his church building on the market?” It’s not my building and I wouldn’t be so bold to put it on the market without congregational vote. But she was right in that I led the charge and I will be a hero if it works and a jerk if it fails. That being said, Sharon really did try to capture the essence of our move.

She noticed families. That is good. One of my fears in the move has not been realized. We are not becoming a college and singles only congregation. We have a surprising balance. Sharon interviewed folks who happened to have children.

Sharon also gravitated to new folks. I guess all of us are new to a degree, but she found folks that have connected since we moved to the theater. That indicates that what we are doing is working.

She also noticed the uniqueness of what we are doing. We are not the first congregation that has worshipped in Governor’s Square Stadium 12 Theatres. I know of at least two others in years past that spent a little time there. Still, it is different. It is a high-cost change. We have done more than just use it as a gathering place. We have fully embraced and identified with it. At the moment, we are the only church in the area that is doing it.

The greatest compliment she paid me was near the end of the article, “But the spiritual message is very Biblical.” We won’t do well if we try to be cool; I’m not. And, I tire of hearing the extremes some go to to be “relevant.” If we are true to the Message we can’t help but be relevant. But, if I am accused of being “Biblical” I am accused of a good thing. I will wear that indictment proudly.