The Divided States of America?

The gorge in Twin Falls Idaho.

It is reformation month at church and we are thinking about the questions that led to the split between catholicism and protestantism 500 years ago. That split affected the world for good and woe, mostly good in my little mind. However it has caused me to reflect on the tension that exits in our country between divergent views of the future, between liberal and conservative visions that exist in the Christian faith, in the government and in every diner and coffee shop in America.

We are people who develop views, and defend them. For me, as one who has played this game and really wanted the best answers I could find for lots of issues, I found that hearing lots of points of views was good for me.

Many however, and I have been part of this as well, find it much more rewarding to defend your view will dismissing the views of others. Bill Gaither put new words on a great hymn tune we sing that has such a line. Ive been so loved Im willing to consider another mans point of view.

Os Guiness wrote an excellent book on civility which he beieves is missing from the public square in our dialogue in this country and believes that Christians of all people should lead the culture in this direction. Given our penchant for defending our own turf and denigrating the views of others in evangelicalism I am not sure we are as ready to listen to another point of view as I hope we could.

I continue to believe the church is entering a new phase as a result of all that has happened since the reformation, and evangelicalism will have to face up to some of its claims and procedures that may overstate the case and end up blunting the very sword of the good news we try to advance.

We will see how this all works out in politics, faith, and practice in coming months, and against the backdrop of serious issues in the middle east and on the terrorist front.

Farewell Tom W

You cannot think of Tom without Mabel. She was the talker of the two, yet they were one voice. He cared for her so faithfully till her passing a bit over a year ago. He was already losing his sharpness during her last days, and finally he is at rest.

Another of our greatest generation entered into rest.

He loved the Navy and his service. He loved his career in Chemical Engineering. He loved traveling, flying, golfing, and enjoying his family.
In later years just getting out each day for a late lunch in our cafeteria was a great experience for them. Mabel and Tom were friends of our local library who worked tirelessly to get a new building for our community.

Interested in everything, interesting in all ways. Makes me wonder what reunions are like over on the other side. They danced their way through a long and joyful journey.

Rapture Fever again

Ah, for the desert dweller there is no enjoying the fall and bracing for winter. We instead look for the fall and fully enjoy our largely shirt sleeve winter. Our backyard oasis is feeling comfortable for a longer time each day.

It's deja vu all over again for the rapture ready crowd of believers. They have a new movie to scare people into the kingdom with. Reviews so far are not good, and I will again choose not to see it in the theatre.

Many good and faithful people have studied and grown up in a theological system called dispensationalism. They believe Daniel's last seven years are floating around in history waiting to find just the right prophetic moment to kick start the end of the world.

Instant removal of true believers in an unknown secret time but highly anticipated moment, will dissapear. In case of rapture this car, train, plane, cruise ship, etc will be unmanned.

While I believe that history has purpose and telios, ending, I do not share in this view with much enthusiasm for many reasons, none of which I will share without being asked.

I will enjoy my backyard oasis instead. I hope my questioning of the rapture will not leave me behind if I was wrong. In case of rapture, this comfy chair will be unmanned.

If I had words

If I had words to make a day for you, I'd sing you a day that's golden and true. I would make that day last for all time, and give you a night full of moon shine.

One year ago today we swam with dolpins, snorkeled on a private beach, ate a meal about a boat on the pacific ocean and had moonight drinks in a romantic restaurant within earshot of a Luau.

It was about the perfect day for us both and I will always cherish it.

One year ago we swam with Manta Rays

The interesting thing about Hawaii the Big Island is that compared to the others it is big. After our epic park fail we drove on around the bottom of the island to Hilo, the other port city in Hawaii. We did our Hilo Hattie visit, ate lunch in a very nice restaurant, and as the sun began to set we headed across the center of the island. For many years this road was little for than a WWII access point to the Volcanos. Rental Cars were forbidden to use it, but in recent years it was made quite safe for crossing the island in the middle.

However, if it is drizzling and foggy and you are doing it for the first time it was quite full of tension. We could not see far enough ahead to watch for turns in the road.

Full day one ending that way was so exhausting that day two was spent driving locally, scouting out snorkeling waters, and resting at our Condo in preparation for the Manta Dive.

A year ago when I shared the story I concentrated on how difficult it turned out to be and how much salt water I injested. A year later, I just remember being touched stomach to stomach with a huge one tone sea creature just happy to be feeding with us and providing a lively evening for us chickens of the sea.

We even saw the original manta whose broken jaw caused him to feed under a harbor spotlight and created a healthy evening business for forty or fifty companies.

Memories of the islands are so dear and rich for us. If Hawaii does not do it for you, find someplace on this beautiful land that does, and go see it.

My eyes are all puffy from wiping tears

A meal on the north shore of Honolulu with friends years ago. Jamisons by the Sea....food is memories.

I am a complete sap for a good movie about hope, dreams, love and food. That plus a beautiful town in the south of France as the backdrop.
The 100 foot Journey is such a beautiful movie that lifts up family, tradition, changes, loss, love, and the joy of cooking through the eyes and heart of an intense and totally lovely young cook who becomes a true chef.

Just a lovely movie in every way, the filming, the pace, the drama, the characters, the music all combine for a cinematic experience that makes you long for life and love.

Epic National Park Fail!!

One year ago today we turned innocently into the gate at Hawaii Volcano National Park on the big Island. It took over two hours of sightseeing to get there and we were excited, and shocked to see a State Trooper in process of shutting it down. The whole American National Park system closed that morning at the orders of the President.

The ranger apologized sheepishly and allowed us to enter the park, asking that we find a place to turn around. It allowed us to stay for half an hour and take a few pictures of the caldera and see some steam vents. Laura wanted to keep driving but I am too much of a law abiding man to feel good about that. So we were steamed about it that week, all week. And sad for the people staying in the hotel inside the park who had probably made reservations years ahead and were told to pack up and leave that morning.

One of my relatives was there yesterday and all the feelings of being cheated for low governmental objectives have returned. Let's close the symbols of America's stories and beauty and history and patriotism to show them they can't stop us from spending money we don't have. Let's make them hurt. (My take on the issues, strictly personal and slightly biased).

So......we just have to go back soon, and thanks to my beloved congregation for the anniversary trip, it was not your fault we chose that week.
Who knew???