Ode 17

Success!

In my meditations this morning I was greatly encouraged when I once again read Proverbs 2:7-10, "He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair--every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 

I have enjoyed studying ancient wisdom literature since taking a class at Fresno Pacific University in the 80's. If I were to describe my findings I would use one word, timeless. Take heart in whatever your circumstance on this day. If misdirected people have treated you badly, work on...

The Christmas Angel: Ode to Lindsay Susanne Parker

It was a dark Christmas back in 1987. The phone had just rung with the news that she was gone. Seventeen months of hope, prayer, uncertainty, and fear had just culminated with the message that brought tears and anguish to my life. Her heart had unexpectedly stopped beating. It was over.

Back up to the summer of 1985. Hope was in the air. A new child was to be born. The appointment was made and the doctor was ready to deliver our baby girl in the operating room. Giddiness was in the air until the dark cloud burst into the room bearing the news that something was terribly wrong. Lindsay was not healthy. Her tiny bent frame was the testament to her ills. The seventeen months had begun.

I do not wish to talk about the bad for it does my heart no good to reminisce on the things that could have been. My catharsis is to write of her black hair, her little...

Leaving Boldly: Shane McConkey, 1968-2009

Shane McConkey put a lot of life into his dash. I was just informed that one of my favorite skiers, McConkey was taken from this earth in March, while in Italy shooting a ski movie. They were filming one of his incredible moves, the ski base jump, when one of his skis failed to release, causing him to spin out of control. McConkey was unable to open his chute.
He made skiing cool. He was an innovator. He was awesome at the sport. Take a look at this video of a real sports star.

Shane McConkey

That Was the Week That Was

...and then the theme song would continue, "It's over let it go."

Yep, last week was a wild one. Very little was normal. From the quiet little birthday party we had for our youngest son (he requested ribs from Fat Matt's Rib Shack which made us all happy) to the necessary putting down of our long term cat and friend, Fitzi (14 years of purring, fur on your lap, and little pieces of cat litter every where), it was an emotional roller coaster. Considering all that was going on the blogosphere was safe from my ramblings. 

A lot of people at church followed my life through my facebook postings and emails inquiring what was going on. I had a lot of comments about the cat yesterday and not just a few about how Dad is doing. Thanks for the concerns. For Fitzi, we know how that ended. We'll miss her. For Dad, I called him after church yesterday and asked, "Did you preach?" Of course I knew the answer would be yes, and it was. Here is what he said.

"When I preach I feel...

A Report on Dad

I woke up at 7 AM Eastern time this morning. The only problem with that is that I am in Pacific time. My sister, Susan, and I flew west to Sacramento, CA, and drove up to Yuba City, to see our dad. He lives here with his wife, Jean. Together they pastor a little church with a sweet congregation. We are here because Dad called us two weeks ago to say the doctor told him he had time to "get his affairs in order." His heart has taken a major dive and there is nothing...

Hiwassee College and Other Complaints (I Must Be Really Tired)

I'm off to Hiwassee College up near Knoxville, TN, where I will be taking an evangelism class. I am in a process called the Course of Study with the Methodist church. I do learn some great stuff and also have some WOW! balanced with some really crazy, and outrageous stuff from some of the professors. I have wondered at times if some of these dudes are actually believers in Christ. That is one reason why I so enjoyed my theology class with Medi Volpe. You could see on her face that she loved Jesus and just wanted to make God happy. Very cool. Thanks Medi.
I'm also going to miss dancing with

Transitions

Today is the day that Joanie and Kevin pack up to go back to Atlanta. Our friends are heading for home too. (Mr. Bean and I are staying.) It is amazing how these transitions have changed a relaxed crowd into purpose oriented individuals. The relaxed smiles are almost gone as everyone begins to pack and get ready to hit the road.
Ahh, transitions. Not the most pleasant thing but so often necessary. To get from point A to point B you have to transition. We are never finished transitioning, it is just a part of life. But for now, I'm going to pour another cup of home brewed Starbucks, enjoy the fact that I'm not having to move from point to point, ....and relax.

Birthdays, Beaches, and Bean

It has been a few days since I posted a blog because it has just been crazy busy:
-Saturday all day in a theology class at Emory
-Sunday the 12th birthday of Sugarloaf UMC
-Sunday night Joanie throws a birthday party for me (for some reason I now get a discount at Kroger)
-Monday, my favorite day of the year, I celebrate 12 years of marriage to Joanie
-Tuesday, a long drive to Gulf Shores with Mr. Bean

When I get to the beach house there is always stuff to do. So far, in less than 24 hours, I have gone to Super Wal Mart three times, Target once, the AT&T store, and Pottery Barn once. Last night I staggered in to my favorite restaurant on the beach, Bahama Bob's, and moaned that my seafood gumbo quotient was sadly depleted. The waitress laughed, had mercy on me, and even gave me a cup to go when I left. (I took Mr. Bean to the beach for a brief walk. I wish you could have seen the utter joy on his face as he realized he was again at the beach and began to sprint through the sand and pee on everything.

Ola Mae Howard

Our dear friend is passing on. Ola Mae Howard, born December 7, 1917, is in hospice care. She has had a long and love filled life. It has not been with out its struggles. The arthritis put her in a wheelchair so long ago. Her bent body could walk no more. Money was never an issue with Ola Mae. She just didn't have any. She didn't have any possessions, just a few pieces of clothing, an old watch, and a pair of shoes that dressed up her feet a bit when she was blessed enough to have someone take her to her church. The soles of those shoes never touched the ground, only the footpads on that wheelchair.
Joanie and her family can tell stories of long ago, with Ola Mae right in the middle of their family history, taking care of all of the children as they passed through the house. In comparison, my history with Ola Mae only goes back around 12 years. Joanie took me to meet her shortly after we married. We drove to the downtown area and parked at the fenced in parking lot of a public housing high rise, walked inside and rode the elevator to her floor.  Ola Mae always kept her door wide open,

A Great Day

Mr. Bean and I are hanging out at the house today. Joanie has traveled to Virginia to visit her family and friends for a couple of days. Kevin is at a birthday celebration, Ryan is at an all day meeting. So Mr. Bean and I are enjoying doing whatever we want to do.

This morning's worship celebration was great but I will let you in on a little secret. The band's performance of our song before the sermon was a train wreck. Our Thursday rehearsal didn't happen and we were forced to learn a new song this morning at 7:45. UGH! However, we received more complements on the professionalism of the band than usual. We new it didn't come off the way it should have but we make it a point to turn our performances...