For me, Chris, and our good friends.
Wish you could join us.
John <><
Wednesday, February 07, 2018
Tuesday, February 06, 2018
Monday, February 05, 2018
Travel Eve
It is the night before our early morning flight to Mexico. This Mexican trip is to the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula -- Cancun. It's been two years since our last trip to Cancun and I am looking forward to the warm weather, the sound and smell of the ocean, and some good times with our friends from Canada.
And lots of time to relax and think.
One might think that a retired guy has plenty of time to sit and think. And that's certainly true, but daily routine and life in general has a way of interrupting and distracting one from focused thought. And I'm finding that there are imposed protocols about sharing personal thoughts, particularly about actions of churches and church leaders. It appears that there is no quicker way to find oneself the subject of whispered conversation and the target of gossip than to have a disagreement with a leader of a church or church group.
My particular case is small and insignificant. Many I've been reading about have much greater issues and have been silenced and shunned at some pretty high levels. I'm not sure where we got the idea that lying or covering up for leaders is somehow protecting the integrity of the church or guarding the reputation of God. Maybe we're following the political model of self preservation. (Oh wait, I'm the one that lets politics influence my religion.) To my knowledge, no one has shortened the hand of God (that's church talk for expressing that God is able to defend himself).
I had breakfast and a coffee conversation with an old friend this morning. We talked a little bit about how organized religion and organized religious education has managed to change us from a people following God to a people following a religion -- in many cases, to a people (or congregation) following a person that speaks for his/her particular religion. I shared some of my own ideas about Unorganized Religion.
I'm getting used to the idea that ministry will look a little different for me in the coming year. I think it's going to be more organic and primitive than it's been in the past -- more personal.
Just yesterday, an old friend asked me to be a part of a missions team that he takes to coal country in Eastern Kentucky. I don't know if it will work for this summer, but I'm going to take a good look at it.
For now, I'm going to enjoy a short break from life and relax on a beach for the next few days. Right now the temperature here is 27f (-3c) with light snow. By morning it will be 16f (-9c). The current temperature in Cancun is 75f (24c). Tomorrow afternoon it's supposed to be 82f (28c).
By the way --
God loves you.
Jesus died for you.
Simple enough?
John <><
And lots of time to relax and think.
One might think that a retired guy has plenty of time to sit and think. And that's certainly true, but daily routine and life in general has a way of interrupting and distracting one from focused thought. And I'm finding that there are imposed protocols about sharing personal thoughts, particularly about actions of churches and church leaders. It appears that there is no quicker way to find oneself the subject of whispered conversation and the target of gossip than to have a disagreement with a leader of a church or church group.
My particular case is small and insignificant. Many I've been reading about have much greater issues and have been silenced and shunned at some pretty high levels. I'm not sure where we got the idea that lying or covering up for leaders is somehow protecting the integrity of the church or guarding the reputation of God. Maybe we're following the political model of self preservation. (Oh wait, I'm the one that lets politics influence my religion.) To my knowledge, no one has shortened the hand of God (that's church talk for expressing that God is able to defend himself).
I had breakfast and a coffee conversation with an old friend this morning. We talked a little bit about how organized religion and organized religious education has managed to change us from a people following God to a people following a religion -- in many cases, to a people (or congregation) following a person that speaks for his/her particular religion. I shared some of my own ideas about Unorganized Religion.
I'm getting used to the idea that ministry will look a little different for me in the coming year. I think it's going to be more organic and primitive than it's been in the past -- more personal.
Just yesterday, an old friend asked me to be a part of a missions team that he takes to coal country in Eastern Kentucky. I don't know if it will work for this summer, but I'm going to take a good look at it.
For now, I'm going to enjoy a short break from life and relax on a beach for the next few days. Right now the temperature here is 27f (-3c) with light snow. By morning it will be 16f (-9c). The current temperature in Cancun is 75f (24c). Tomorrow afternoon it's supposed to be 82f (28c).
By the way --
God loves you.
Jesus died for you.
Simple enough?
John <><
Sunday, February 04, 2018
You're Gonna Miss Me ... or not
It's right around freezing in the Ozarks this morning. The forecast is for the temps to climb one or two degrees before starting a downward trend, so we're pretty much at the high for the day. The cold weather makes the upcoming trip to the tropics even more appealing.
Since I'm not one of the daily bloggers and sometimes go extended periods without posting, I doubt that anyone would miss me if I failed to post for the coming week or so. I expect the resort to have some internet service available, although I don't know if it will be available by the pool or beach.
That's okay since I don't plan on spending time on Facebook or keeping up on the latest political side show or center ring happenings. I have my books and cigars -- no wifi access needed.
I will probably post some pics to Instagram (shared to Facebook) when I can and if opportunity allows, I'll write something here.
If previous trips are any indication of how things will go, I'll be up early enough to enjoy a simple breakfast, coffee and some quiet time long before Chris gets up. If internet is available from my breakfast table I'll keep up with my daily Haiku and try to share something from our trip. If that's not the case, I'll see you (so to speak) when I get back.
Here's a little music for your Sunday.
Even though I know I wouldn't be missed, it's nice to think I might be...
(Hint -- for full view, click on the video title instead of the play symbol)
Btw -- Thanks to my son (he was a teenager at the time), I can no longer listen to this song without hearing her say "You're gonna miss me by my taco..."
I know it's "...talk. Oh..." but you'll hear taco from now on, too.
You're welcome.
John <><
Since I'm not one of the daily bloggers and sometimes go extended periods without posting, I doubt that anyone would miss me if I failed to post for the coming week or so. I expect the resort to have some internet service available, although I don't know if it will be available by the pool or beach.
That's okay since I don't plan on spending time on Facebook or keeping up on the latest political side show or center ring happenings. I have my books and cigars -- no wifi access needed.
I will probably post some pics to Instagram (shared to Facebook) when I can and if opportunity allows, I'll write something here.
If previous trips are any indication of how things will go, I'll be up early enough to enjoy a simple breakfast, coffee and some quiet time long before Chris gets up. If internet is available from my breakfast table I'll keep up with my daily Haiku and try to share something from our trip. If that's not the case, I'll see you (so to speak) when I get back.
Here's a little music for your Sunday.
Even though I know I wouldn't be missed, it's nice to think I might be...
(Hint -- for full view, click on the video title instead of the play symbol)
Btw -- Thanks to my son (he was a teenager at the time), I can no longer listen to this song without hearing her say "You're gonna miss me by my taco..."
I know it's "...talk. Oh..." but you'll hear taco from now on, too.
You're welcome.
John <><
Saturday, February 03, 2018
If it's not small talk, is it large talk?
On most occasions, a trip to the barber shop doesn't come with expectations of great conversation. I'd put most of my barber chair conversations in the "small talk" category.
Yesterday was different.
I should state that I wanted a particular barber yesterday and skipped a turn to get him. I wanted him for two reasons. First - he gives a good haircut. Although all of the barbers at the shop do a decent job, there are two that I prefer. One wasn't working yesterday and of the two, the one that was working is my go to choice.
The second reason is that I enjoy talking to him.
He's a young man and not exactly where he imagined he would be in life in his early 30s. Sometimes life happens and it leaves you in a place where people -- church people -- that you grew up knowing and respecting start to judge you rather than comfort and encourage you. I happened to be preaching at the church he grew up in when he was going through some tough times (a few years ago) and so I check up on him once in a while.
I think he's doing okay, but like anyone that has been hurt by the church or abandoned by them, he will continue to have some trust issues when it comes to reconnecting with a local church. I wanted to let him know that he is not alone and encourage him to continue to seek God and his ways rather than to seek men of God and their ways. I shared a little bit of my own struggles with today's churches and the cultural battles they choose to wage.
He paid me a very nice compliment. He said that although he's only heard me preach a couple of times, I came across as a very real person and someone that people can easily relate to; that I'm easy to talk to and don't seem to put on a professional manner.
So I got a good haircut and came away feeling encouraged, too! I hope my young barber found some encouraging words in our conversation, as well.
I should mention that there is something about his words that bother me.
He's not the first person that has told me that I'm easy to talk to about faith and religious matters. With him and with the others, I have to stop and ask myself -- Why does this seem to be so unusual?
Why are people uncomfortable talking about their personal struggles with the very people that are supposed to be able to give them comfort?
Have we (church leaders and church people) become the people that judge and condemn our own and outsiders so quickly that they avoid us?
If we are Ambassadors for Christ, aren't we supposed to ease their burden rather than heaping more upon them?
I want to say that it is unfortunate that I can easily empathize with those that have been judged and come up short of the church's standard. I want to say that I can easily go to any church leader and question the doctrines of man vs the doctrine of God and not worry about being judged for my questions or doubts.
I don't believe that either of those statements is true.
Because the second statement has proven to be false, perhaps it is fortunate that my own experiences allow my to hear with a different heart. Perhaps the curse has become a blessing.
I just don't see what is so difficult about being bearers of the simple message:
God loves you.
Jesus died for you.
John <><
Yesterday was different.
I should state that I wanted a particular barber yesterday and skipped a turn to get him. I wanted him for two reasons. First - he gives a good haircut. Although all of the barbers at the shop do a decent job, there are two that I prefer. One wasn't working yesterday and of the two, the one that was working is my go to choice.
The second reason is that I enjoy talking to him.
He's a young man and not exactly where he imagined he would be in life in his early 30s. Sometimes life happens and it leaves you in a place where people -- church people -- that you grew up knowing and respecting start to judge you rather than comfort and encourage you. I happened to be preaching at the church he grew up in when he was going through some tough times (a few years ago) and so I check up on him once in a while.
I think he's doing okay, but like anyone that has been hurt by the church or abandoned by them, he will continue to have some trust issues when it comes to reconnecting with a local church. I wanted to let him know that he is not alone and encourage him to continue to seek God and his ways rather than to seek men of God and their ways. I shared a little bit of my own struggles with today's churches and the cultural battles they choose to wage.
He paid me a very nice compliment. He said that although he's only heard me preach a couple of times, I came across as a very real person and someone that people can easily relate to; that I'm easy to talk to and don't seem to put on a professional manner.
So I got a good haircut and came away feeling encouraged, too! I hope my young barber found some encouraging words in our conversation, as well.
I should mention that there is something about his words that bother me.
He's not the first person that has told me that I'm easy to talk to about faith and religious matters. With him and with the others, I have to stop and ask myself -- Why does this seem to be so unusual?
Why are people uncomfortable talking about their personal struggles with the very people that are supposed to be able to give them comfort?
Have we (church leaders and church people) become the people that judge and condemn our own and outsiders so quickly that they avoid us?
If we are Ambassadors for Christ, aren't we supposed to ease their burden rather than heaping more upon them?
I want to say that it is unfortunate that I can easily empathize with those that have been judged and come up short of the church's standard. I want to say that I can easily go to any church leader and question the doctrines of man vs the doctrine of God and not worry about being judged for my questions or doubts.
I don't believe that either of those statements is true.
Because the second statement has proven to be false, perhaps it is fortunate that my own experiences allow my to hear with a different heart. Perhaps the curse has become a blessing.
I just don't see what is so difficult about being bearers of the simple message:
God loves you.
Jesus died for you.
John <><
Friday, February 02, 2018
It's Haiku month!
I missed a Haiku for yesterday because I just remembered that February is Haiku month -- the shortest month for the shortest poem genre.
It's cold in Ozark
Time to go to Mexico
Loving retirement
And a bonus to make up for yesterday...
January's past
Resolutions are intact
Let's keep it going
John <><
It's cold in Ozark
Time to go to Mexico
Loving retirement
And a bonus to make up for yesterday...
January's past
Resolutions are intact
Let's keep it going
John <><
Thursday, February 01, 2018
Coffee Conversations with John
About a week ago I posted a meme on Facebook about enjoying my morning coffee and quiet time.
Although many people agreed with that sentiment, there were a couple of people (that live alone) that commented that they would love to have some conversation with their morning coffee. Yesterday morning, I had a nice conversation with my Vermont brother while we each had our morning coffee.
I realize that work schedules (yours, not mine) and time zone differences might present some challenges, but I was thinking that maybe a brief morning conversation over coffee might be something that others are interested in, as well. If that's something that interests you, you can comment with your number, along with a good day and good time to call. All of the comments on the blog are moderated, so that won't go out to the public. If you're reading and commenting on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, you can message me with the information.
I probably won't do more than one or two per week (remember, I do enjoy my quiet time) and I won't keep you for very long. We can make arrangements via text or messaging so we can have an enjoyable time without being hurried. I'd even be willing to set my alarm and get up a little early to accommodate your morning schedule or time zone difference.
And if you're local (or with-in an hour or so), I'll hop on the motorcycle and meet you somewhere for a face to face over coffee!
So what do you say?
Anyone up for Coffee Conversations with John?
John <><
"To me, the smell of fresh-made coffee is one of the greatest inventions." --Hugh Jackman
(taken from my Coffee Concoctions notebook from Hannah)
Although many people agreed with that sentiment, there were a couple of people (that live alone) that commented that they would love to have some conversation with their morning coffee. Yesterday morning, I had a nice conversation with my Vermont brother while we each had our morning coffee.
I realize that work schedules (yours, not mine) and time zone differences might present some challenges, but I was thinking that maybe a brief morning conversation over coffee might be something that others are interested in, as well. If that's something that interests you, you can comment with your number, along with a good day and good time to call. All of the comments on the blog are moderated, so that won't go out to the public. If you're reading and commenting on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, you can message me with the information.
I probably won't do more than one or two per week (remember, I do enjoy my quiet time) and I won't keep you for very long. We can make arrangements via text or messaging so we can have an enjoyable time without being hurried. I'd even be willing to set my alarm and get up a little early to accommodate your morning schedule or time zone difference.
And if you're local (or with-in an hour or so), I'll hop on the motorcycle and meet you somewhere for a face to face over coffee!
So what do you say?
Anyone up for Coffee Conversations with John?
John <><
"To me, the smell of fresh-made coffee is one of the greatest inventions." --Hugh Jackman
(taken from my Coffee Concoctions notebook from Hannah)
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