A bonus haiku,
Just because it's a leap year.
Finished for a year!
Saturday, February 29, 2020
Friday, February 28, 2020
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Writing a Book
After visiting with my mom this past week, I was thinking about writing a book...again.
She has always encouraged me to do so. I have more than one book beginning stored away in the cloud, but have never felt the drive to complete one. Driving home from Central Illinois I was thinking -- Lessons Learned from the Pulpit & Sermons Taught on the Street.
Every preacher learns more than they can share when preparing for a message. The message prep and delivery has often taught me more than I feel I have taught others. I have been humbled by people's compliments and sometimes challenged by their critiques -- but I have always learned through the process of preaching.
I have also learned about preaching from other preachers. Some have taught me techniques that I have tried to copy; others have taught me things that I avoid. From listening to and observing other preachers I have learned that we can learn/teach more than just content, we also learn/teach something about our character.
As for the real lessons in life, I've learned these from the love and compassion of people in their day to day journeys through life. I hope that others have learned meaningful lessons from me, as well. I believe that we are all both teachers and students; preachers and congregants.
I have learned life from other bloggers and from stories shared on the internet. The truth is I have learned more about life, love, and the character of God from the streets than from any preacher's sermon.
I honestly don't know if this idea will ever move beyond the thoughts expressed in today's post or not. I just wanted to write it down somewhere so that I might remember it if the drive to write a book actually appears in the future.
Maybe some of the potential content will appear at Out of My Hat first.
John
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Monday, February 24, 2020
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Friday, February 21, 2020
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Changing
It's been a little while since I've posted something other than a haiku. I've thought about it several times in the past week, but just haven't felt like it. There's a part of me that wants to add to the family chorus of sharing about my dad's funeral and the weekend we spent together, but I think I'll just hold those thoughts and feelings to myself for now.
Life goes on -- and it is time to get back to writing.
So ...
Pastor Phillip has been preaching/teaching through a series on changing -- how we view God, how we view others, how we view God and suffering, how we view love, how we view religion and spirituality, how we view prayer, ...
It's been a pretty reflective kind of study. My personal spiritual journey has been similar to Pastor Phillip's in many ways.
It is sometimes difficult to verbalize how or why I've changed. It isn't difficult to understand that I needed to change how I was thinking about God, religion, and life in general. It's like I spent most of my life learning how to be successful as a man (human) and now I'm trying to unlearn those things as I become more aware of the spiritual aspect of my being.
When I began this spiritual growth, I didn't know anything about mindfulness and had never really practiced any meditation or serious, independent contemplation about life, death, God, etc. As I have grown or evolved, I've become much less concerned with competing with or being better than my fellow human beings, and more concerned with understanding them and understanding my place as I relate to them and their own life's journey.
When we stop competing, we can start helping.
If we are not busy trying to outdo, out pace, out distance somebody, we can share the journey and travel together rather than succeeding to arrive first. Life's journey isn't a race.
Stephen Covey said, "Remember, we are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience."
As I have become more aware of my spiritual being and the other spiritual beings around me, I have become less agitated with people. I have to admit that I am often frustrated by the humanness of life and the humanness of, well -- humans, but I get it. We are all learning and trying to find our place in this life.
I know that my evangelical friends might be reading this and fearing that I've gone off into the Eastern philosophic deep end, but I haven't. I am still very Jesus centered and am actually following Jesus more closely than ever. I am still reading my bible daily, although I admit I am reading with a different perspective.
I wish people would take the time to step away from religion and the teachings of other people and listen to Jesus for themselves. You don't need someone else to tell you what Jesus says or means.
My Facebook cover Pic says, "The further I got from religion, the closer I got to God."
You should try it.
John
Life goes on -- and it is time to get back to writing.
So ...
Pastor Phillip has been preaching/teaching through a series on changing -- how we view God, how we view others, how we view God and suffering, how we view love, how we view religion and spirituality, how we view prayer, ...
It's been a pretty reflective kind of study. My personal spiritual journey has been similar to Pastor Phillip's in many ways.
It is sometimes difficult to verbalize how or why I've changed. It isn't difficult to understand that I needed to change how I was thinking about God, religion, and life in general. It's like I spent most of my life learning how to be successful as a man (human) and now I'm trying to unlearn those things as I become more aware of the spiritual aspect of my being.
When I began this spiritual growth, I didn't know anything about mindfulness and had never really practiced any meditation or serious, independent contemplation about life, death, God, etc. As I have grown or evolved, I've become much less concerned with competing with or being better than my fellow human beings, and more concerned with understanding them and understanding my place as I relate to them and their own life's journey.
When we stop competing, we can start helping.
If we are not busy trying to outdo, out pace, out distance somebody, we can share the journey and travel together rather than succeeding to arrive first. Life's journey isn't a race.
Stephen Covey said, "Remember, we are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience."
As I have become more aware of my spiritual being and the other spiritual beings around me, I have become less agitated with people. I have to admit that I am often frustrated by the humanness of life and the humanness of, well -- humans, but I get it. We are all learning and trying to find our place in this life.
I know that my evangelical friends might be reading this and fearing that I've gone off into the Eastern philosophic deep end, but I haven't. I am still very Jesus centered and am actually following Jesus more closely than ever. I am still reading my bible daily, although I admit I am reading with a different perspective.
I wish people would take the time to step away from religion and the teachings of other people and listen to Jesus for themselves. You don't need someone else to tell you what Jesus says or means.
My Facebook cover Pic says, "The further I got from religion, the closer I got to God."
You should try it.
John
Monday, February 17, 2020
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Friday, February 14, 2020
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Monday, February 10, 2020
Monday Motivation / NaHaiWriMo - Day 10
Get up! It's Monday!
Bad choices don't just happen
You've gotta make 'em!
Bad choices don't just happen
You've gotta make 'em!
Sunday, February 09, 2020
NaHaiWriMo - Day 9
This is a picture of my brother playing Taps at our dad's funeral.
The trumpet proclaims
A sailor is laid to rest
Well done, my brother.
The trumpet proclaims
A sailor is laid to rest
Well done, my brother.
Saturday, February 08, 2020
NaHaiWriMo - Day 8
This morning I'll be at my dad's funeral. Maybe it's a little weird for today's haiku, but it's what is on my mind.
Gerald A. Hill - Dad
Born 7/4/34
Died 2/1/20
Gerald A. Hill - Dad
Born 7/4/34
Died 2/1/20
Friday, February 07, 2020
Thursday, February 06, 2020
Hugs, Hugging, and Touch
During my dad's last days, the Commander of his American Legion post had called to keep in touch and to let the other members of the post know Dad's condition. After hearing how close he was to death, several called or came by to offer support to my mom. One of the wives called and said she was coming by because she felt that Mom could use a hug. After a long hug, the friend said, "Maybe I was the one that needed a hug."
I received a note this week from one of my church friends. She said that when we spoke on Sunday, she didn't know that my dad had died. She said if she would've known, she'd have given me a hug.
When I left my parent's place last week, I was saying goodbyes and getting hugs. The hug from my sister-in-law was long and strong. I told her she hugged like a counselor (she is one). What I really meant was that she hugged like a person that knows the benefits of a good hug.
Do we need hugs?
I've read several articles on the physical and emotional benefits of hugging. Some give a specific number of daily hugs or length of a hug's duration for optimum benefit. All of them pretty much agree that hugs are beneficial and that physical touching is necessary for healthy growth and emotional stability.
Some hugs are quick and casual, some are long and more intimate, and some are in between.
Brief, casual hugs are a nice way of greeting or saying goodbye. Longer, stronger hugs seem to share an energy that is not really shared or even felt in those brief contacts. Let's face it -- some people are just good huggers!
And some people don't really like hugs -- especially casual hugs with simple acquaintances. That's when you get into the kind of creepy hugs. I'm generally fairly cautious about hugging and will often let the other person initiate a hug until I know that is their typical greeting. I don't want to be the creepy old guy that always gives the unwanted hug.
Here's an article that covers a number of benefits of touching and hugging. It's not too long and does a good job on touching most of the benefits found in other articles/studies.
I hope you get a good hug today. One of the benefits of giving good hugs is that you generally get one in return.
This meme doesn't give a number of hugs we need per day. Eight seems to be a general consensus.
John
I received a note this week from one of my church friends. She said that when we spoke on Sunday, she didn't know that my dad had died. She said if she would've known, she'd have given me a hug.
When I left my parent's place last week, I was saying goodbyes and getting hugs. The hug from my sister-in-law was long and strong. I told her she hugged like a counselor (she is one). What I really meant was that she hugged like a person that knows the benefits of a good hug.
Do we need hugs?
I've read several articles on the physical and emotional benefits of hugging. Some give a specific number of daily hugs or length of a hug's duration for optimum benefit. All of them pretty much agree that hugs are beneficial and that physical touching is necessary for healthy growth and emotional stability.
Some hugs are quick and casual, some are long and more intimate, and some are in between.
Brief, casual hugs are a nice way of greeting or saying goodbye. Longer, stronger hugs seem to share an energy that is not really shared or even felt in those brief contacts. Let's face it -- some people are just good huggers!
And some people don't really like hugs -- especially casual hugs with simple acquaintances. That's when you get into the kind of creepy hugs. I'm generally fairly cautious about hugging and will often let the other person initiate a hug until I know that is their typical greeting. I don't want to be the creepy old guy that always gives the unwanted hug.
Here's an article that covers a number of benefits of touching and hugging. It's not too long and does a good job on touching most of the benefits found in other articles/studies.
I hope you get a good hug today. One of the benefits of giving good hugs is that you generally get one in return.
This meme doesn't give a number of hugs we need per day. Eight seems to be a general consensus.
John
Wednesday, February 05, 2020
Tuesday, February 04, 2020
Monday, February 03, 2020
Monday Motivation / NaHaiWriMo
Superbowl's over
This Monday's Motivation:
Next week -- Spring training!
This Monday's Motivation:
Next week -- Spring training!
Sunday, February 02, 2020
Saturday, February 01, 2020
Rest in Peace
I've always thought it to be one of the strange customary sayings when someone dies -- Rest in peace.
I guess it is because we are so focused on this physical life that is often filled with turmoil, it seems that death does give us a break from all of that.
But isn't it a strange wish? We say it like we believe in an afterlife; like our souls continue on. Do we believe that the afterlife is also going to be filled with peace robbing thoughts and activities?
As a follower of Jesus and a believer in a grand heaven, I believe our souls will be filled with unlimited energy and excitement to be in the presence of God. For the past week I've been sitting with my mom on a macabre kind of care/death watch over my dad.
My dad has been under hospice care for several months and confined to bed for the past several weeks. When I arrived to relieve my youngest brother last Monday, I was surprised at how much his condition had deteriorated since my last visit just a couple of weeks ago. He was no longer able to communicate verbally, a condition that came on rather quickly as he had said some words just the day before. I sensed some recognition and awareness, but that would also continue to deteriorate in the coming days. He slept almost all of the time as his emaciated body just refused to stop living.
He died Saturday morning -- 85 years, 6 months, 28 days after his birth.
I don't think he is resting or lounging about on the streets of gold inside the pearly gate. I believe he is face to face with his Savior, Jesus. I believe he is reunited with his parents and siblings that have gone on before him. I believe that old friends have greeted him warmly and they will celebrate a life well lived.
I believe that there will be no time nor need for rest and that love, joy, and peace will fill every moment. In fact, I believe there will be no time -- period. Time is a measurement used by us mere mortals and has no place in eternity.
I believe that when my time comes to join him it will be as if no time has passed at all and will simply be like him turning around to greet me.
Is Dad at peace?
Yes, he is surrounded by love, joy, and peace.
Is he at rest?
He has no need of rest.
He is home.
John
I guess it is because we are so focused on this physical life that is often filled with turmoil, it seems that death does give us a break from all of that.
But isn't it a strange wish? We say it like we believe in an afterlife; like our souls continue on. Do we believe that the afterlife is also going to be filled with peace robbing thoughts and activities?
As a follower of Jesus and a believer in a grand heaven, I believe our souls will be filled with unlimited energy and excitement to be in the presence of God. For the past week I've been sitting with my mom on a macabre kind of care/death watch over my dad.
My dad has been under hospice care for several months and confined to bed for the past several weeks. When I arrived to relieve my youngest brother last Monday, I was surprised at how much his condition had deteriorated since my last visit just a couple of weeks ago. He was no longer able to communicate verbally, a condition that came on rather quickly as he had said some words just the day before. I sensed some recognition and awareness, but that would also continue to deteriorate in the coming days. He slept almost all of the time as his emaciated body just refused to stop living.
He died Saturday morning -- 85 years, 6 months, 28 days after his birth.
I don't think he is resting or lounging about on the streets of gold inside the pearly gate. I believe he is face to face with his Savior, Jesus. I believe he is reunited with his parents and siblings that have gone on before him. I believe that old friends have greeted him warmly and they will celebrate a life well lived.
I believe that there will be no time nor need for rest and that love, joy, and peace will fill every moment. In fact, I believe there will be no time -- period. Time is a measurement used by us mere mortals and has no place in eternity.
I believe that when my time comes to join him it will be as if no time has passed at all and will simply be like him turning around to greet me.
Is Dad at peace?
Yes, he is surrounded by love, joy, and peace.
Is he at rest?
He has no need of rest.
He is home.
John
February thoughts
Adios, January 2020!
This morning I'm sitting in our tiny apartment, on its uncomfortable couch, drinking my Ethiopian coffee and feeling grateful for my simple life. The events and lessons of January are teaching me to be more appreciative of the simple blessings of life.
The first step in appreciating simple blessings is being aware of them. I have become so conditioned by my environment that I often fail to recognize the simple things that are a part of my everyday life as blessings. Though this apartment is small, it is safe and warm. Last night, hundreds of people in Springfield MO slept on cots in a shelter, in their cars, or outside in the below freezing temperatures.
This morning I am well rested and enjoying a cup of good coffee. There is food in the 'fridge and pantry and my concern about "what" I will eat today is a matter of choice, not a question of if, when, where, or what I might eat today.
I'm pretty sure I will take advantage of the nice weather today and take a mentally needed long ride on my motorcycle. Though it is an older bike with a smaller engine than most cruisers, there is no doubt that it is a luxury item that I could easily do without. We also own two cars, have a stable income and are building a new home that will be packed with the accumulated stuff that is now in storage.
I guess I'll never be able to claim we lead a simple life -- and that's okay. I would like to simplify our lives and be less tied to things and more concerned with people. I'll let you know how that's going at the end of the month.
John
This morning I'm sitting in our tiny apartment, on its uncomfortable couch, drinking my Ethiopian coffee and feeling grateful for my simple life. The events and lessons of January are teaching me to be more appreciative of the simple blessings of life.
The first step in appreciating simple blessings is being aware of them. I have become so conditioned by my environment that I often fail to recognize the simple things that are a part of my everyday life as blessings. Though this apartment is small, it is safe and warm. Last night, hundreds of people in Springfield MO slept on cots in a shelter, in their cars, or outside in the below freezing temperatures.
This morning I am well rested and enjoying a cup of good coffee. There is food in the 'fridge and pantry and my concern about "what" I will eat today is a matter of choice, not a question of if, when, where, or what I might eat today.
I'm pretty sure I will take advantage of the nice weather today and take a mentally needed long ride on my motorcycle. Though it is an older bike with a smaller engine than most cruisers, there is no doubt that it is a luxury item that I could easily do without. We also own two cars, have a stable income and are building a new home that will be packed with the accumulated stuff that is now in storage.
I guess I'll never be able to claim we lead a simple life -- and that's okay. I would like to simplify our lives and be less tied to things and more concerned with people. I'll let you know how that's going at the end of the month.
John
National Haiku Writing Month (NaHaiWriMo)
It's February
And that means it's haiku month
I'm not feeling it
John
And that means it's haiku month
I'm not feeling it
John