Energy Flow

I had forgotten how much preaching/teaching can drain me of energy. I know there are those that seem to be energized from it. I usually feel some physical as well as emotional fatigue when finished. It generally takes a little bit of time to get back to a normal level of energy.

The spiritual recharge from last night's message started pretty quickly. Even though there wasn't a large crowd at 425 last night, the heartfelt comments there and the comments made on the live feed were pretty cool. I also received a few texts or other messages expressing appreciation or sharing what the message meant to them. 

I spent the rest of the evening alone on the deck. I had a little snack, poured a little bourbon, fired up a Nicaraguan cigar, listened and watched the 425 video, and read through the comments and messages. 

And I slept well.

This morning I'm just thinking about how easily (knowingly or not) we can impact the lives of others. We don't realize how the simple act of not seeing people in need exacerbates their feelings of being invisible or unworthy of our attention. Condescending looks or unkind words can be the negative affirmation that further convinces them that they are worthless and unlovable.

On the opposite side is simple eye contact -- "I see you," a smile, a kind word that affirms and recognizes their humanity.

I have to admit that I miss the flow of energy that comes from touching -- a hug, a handshake, a pat on the shoulder. I sense that a lot of people do, especially when they are hurting and in need of the energy and power of love.

Share some good energy today.
Share some love.

John

Storytime with Pastor John

Over the past couple of decades I've served as camp pastor, bible study leader, guest speaker, or entertainer at kids' camps and youth camps throughout the state. I generally referred to my message time as Storytime with Pastor John.

I'm not sure if I adapted my normal preaching style to kids or my camp style to pulpit preaching, but they've ended up being pretty much the same. In any case, that particular style of preaching/teaching is quite far from the preaching and teaching at The Venues...so I'm a little anxious about filling in for Pastor Ben at barchurch this coming Thursday night.

The current series is Lose Yourself to Find Yourself and the key scripture is from John's gospel.

I'm going to go a little different direction from Pastor Ben's mindful messages on the false self, the true self, and the non-self. This won't be so much about surrendering our will to find the Spirit, but about protecting the will of the Spirit by guarding against the voices that try to direct us away from God's love and our place in God's kingdom.

I thought about a delivery that is more in line with the norm for The Venues, but in a way that might be counter to the message itself. I'm good with growing and evolving as a preacher/teacher, and it may be that I'll need to in order to teach at The Venues in the future. 

If you're up for it, check out The Venues at 425 on Facebook. We'll be live with music at 6:30pm Thursday. Storytime begins around 7.

John

Venturing out -- with caution

As a retired guy with a decent retirement and a home in a rural setting, I am very aware of the privileged life that allows me to stay home and away from people during this COVID pandemic. As the COVID numbers are climbing in Southwest MO, we continue to stay pretty isolated. I expected to be out doing a little more volunteer work, but the increasing numbers changed my mind. 

I have been to The Venues 425's barchurch the past two weeks. Everyone is both masked and spaced a part. I also helped moved some chairs at church last week, but we all wore masks while we were working.

I expect to take my rotation as volunteer chaplain next week. The hospital is small, doesn't have any COVID cases, screens all entrants, and everyone is masked.

Living in a rural area has its advantages, in spite of the fact that there are a large number of science denying, non mask wearing, self-righteous idiots. However, there continues to be increases in the larger population centers. Until the local population becomes more responsive to taking preventative measures on the spreading of this virus, we will continue in our relative isolation.

Stay safe.
Wear the damn mask.

John

I'm of the Opinion ...

...that most opinions don't matter.

Today, more than ever, it seems that most people base their opinions on information that isn't exactly accurate. Social media feeds are filled with so many posts and re-posts of old information, misleading information, and outright lies. I'm sure that much of it is deliberate, but equally certain that much of the bad information is spread by well meaning people that just don't take the time to check their sources.

It seems that the information age has become the misinformation age.

Perhaps the best approach is to always ask a few questions.

*Is this true?

*Where did you hear that?

*Is this from a reliable source?

*Is there an ulterior motive behind this information?

*Is this just an opinion?

Maybe if we asked these questions, we would spread less misinformation.

And we need to give ourselves (and others) permission to change our mind if new information demands it.

It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know that just ain't so.

--Mark Twain

But that's just my opinion.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

Be aware of what motivates you and influences your decisions. Are you motivated by your prejudices and fear or by logic and truth?

John

Monday Memories

It was one of our earlier trips to Mexico when the kids were still pretty young. Every afternoon one of the outdoor bars would turn on its soft serve ice cream machine and put out cake cones, bowls and spoons. As with most all-inclusive resorts, the bar was also where you went for soft drinks.

The first day the bartender thought it was weird that I (along with the kids) would order an orange Fanta with no ice -- and only half full. We would then take them to the soft serve ice cream machine to make our orange floats! A dreamsicle in a glass!

It's sharing these kind of meaningful life hacks that make fatherhood special.

 

Yesterday it was diet Sunkist, vanilla ice cream, and a little chocolate syrup ... and some good memories.

You're welcome!

John

Wednesday Wisdom

Wednesday Wisdom

Monday Motivation

Go out.

Stop trying so hard.

Try a little softer today.

-- Ben Stringer, The Venues Pastor of Stoke

Summer

Fog was settled over the Ozarks as the sun rose on the first day summer. It's an indicator that we're in for a hot, humid day -- pretty much characteristic of summer in the Ozarks. I just returned from a visit to my mom's. We enjoyed each other's company, visited my uncle and aunt, ran a few errands, and ate -- a lot!

On the way to Metamora I met fellow blogger Mike and his wife at Ted Drewe's to deliver his Love Your Neighbor t-shirt from The Venues. 

During our hour+ socially distanced conversation in the parking lot it came up that I needed to buy a trailer for my riding mower. It turned out that he had one but no longer has a riding mower. On my way home yesterday I stopped in St Louis to pick up the trailer and a pull-behind lawn aerator. He got them out of his shed and I acquired some useful tools.

The cost -- he said from now on when we meet at Ted Drewe's I'm buying! Life time Ted Drewe's might seem like a lot, but since we've only met there three or four times in the past, I'm sure I came out ahead on the deal.

I might get a rattle-can and paint the trailer to match the tractor. I might not. We'll see. For now, I'll use it as is and start getting some more needed summer yard work done. As small as my blogging network is, knowing an old curmudgeon or two can come in handy!

It's the first full day of summer!

Enjoy it!

John