Month: September 2018

Hey, Joe, how you doin’?” I patted him on the shoulder as I took the barstool next to his. Looking up from his drink, I could see he was not doing any better. “Hey, John.” He said sadly. Seemingly with nothing more to say. As I ordered a drink, I watched him in the mirror over the bar, this guy who had always been ‘Mr. Happy’ now looked beyond sad. He looked like a man waiting to die.

Joe Peterson and I had met years before when I was sent out of the union hall to work on the crusher conveyor tunnel at the Tilden Iron ore Mine, in National Mine, Michigan. Joe was the foreman of a crew everyone called the ‘tunnel rats’. Most of these guys traveled together working tunnels all over the country and knew the ins and outs of placing rebar from the constraints of working within a tunnel. I did not. But Joe was a good teacher and a good boss. We became friends. Even after the job was done and the ‘rats’ moved on to the next tunnel, we stayed in touch for a while, then life moved on.

Now over ten years later we had met up in Utah. Joe was now a big boss for a company that erected silos and my company had landed a contract with them to install the rebar on a ‘six pack’ silo outside Ogden, Utah. Neither of us thought it weird running across one another hundreds of miles from where we had met, that was part of being a ‘boomer’ in the construction trades. You were sure to meet people you worked with down the road, if you stayed alive long enough.

The thing was, Joe was different now. That once happy-go-lucky guy who used to tell some of the worst jokes I had ever heard now was silent most of the time. He, like myself, drank a lot. But unlike me, Joe had never been a drinker. And the way he drank now scared even me, a professional drunk. He drank with deadly seriousness and I was always surprised when I would see him on the job the next day. I was sure one night he would drive that big pick-up of his into oncoming traffic, but so far, he hadn’t. Yep, Joe was a different man since his son had died.

From everything I could gather, Joe’s boy had been a ‘knock off the old block’, as we used to say. A lot like his old man. From the time he was a baby happy and full of life and laughter. Joe and his wife had just the one son and he was the center of that family. I guess, about three years ago Little Joe, that was what he was called, caught a cold or so it seemed at first. But the symptoms never went away and after a month they took the boy to the doctor. It shocked both of them when they found out he had Leukemia, and nothing seemed to stop its progress. Within two years, Little Joe had succumb, and big Joe was changed forever. Never a man of faith now he found no solace anywhere. His marriage destroyed by grieve. He now seemed to be a man who lived to die.

As I sit writing this today, I am sad remembering those days being around Joe. We drank together often. Most of the time sitting in silence, I really had nothing to offer him except a warm body on the barstool next to his. The unpalatable grieve he had was untouchable or, so I thought. Then the miracle happened. One day Joe was not at the bar and he was not on the job the next day or the day after that.

I asked around his company office, but no one was speaking. I hit all the bars where we frequented but no luck there either. I watched the papers to see if his name would come up in the Obits but nothing. Joe had disappeared! Till about two months later, I heard something I could not believe, Joe had been in a rehab unit and even more unbelievable he had been ‘born again’.

Joe, a Christian? I shook my head when I heard it, “No way!” I had said to the bartender who gave me the scoop. How could that be? I still did not believe it, until a week later on the job, there he was. Joe was back and all I had heard was true. Sober and if not happy-go-lucky, there was a new something, hmmm, the only word to describe it was joy. One day after a safety meeting in his company trailer he approached me, “How you been, John? Sorry I dropped out of sight but here is what happened…” He went on to tell me a story about transformation.

Out of desperation he had gone to an AA meeting at a local church, there he had met a man, a recovering alcoholic, who just happened to be the pastor of that church. They talked for a bit after the meeting, no big deal. But soon this pastor was seeking Joe out, finding out his number, calling him and just caring in a way that was loving. Joe at first was bothered and angry but soon was looking forward to meeting with his new pastor friend. Simple conversations led to Joe’s own recovery and a changed life.

I don’t usually share other people’s testimonies here, but I know Joe would not mind, if he was still with us. He passed away about seven years ago, but not from suicide, a life ending illness. The last time we had talked, I had visited him in a Northern California hospital. Retired from the construction trade, he had spent his last years working with those who had lost children as a Christian grieve counselor.

From total despair to a life well lived and filled with hope, Joe shared his favorite verse from God’s Word with me that day, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17). It is this verse which I read this morning during my time in the word of God that brought me back to Joe’s bedside. Remembering how we laughed together, two recovered and saved men. His jokes were as bad as they had ever been but his last words as I was leaving the room, still stay in my heart, “Don’t choose despair over hope ever. I know for certain, my son, you, and I will live in a place a lot better than this. What jokes we will tell then!” I remembered his words and that hope when I dealt with my own wife’s passing. And I have tried to live by his example and that of the pastor who be-friended him. If we simply offer the love of Jesus to a wounded person, if we know the God who loves us so much he is singing over us, we will find so much more to laugh about. It is my turn and it is yours today. Thanks Joe for showing me the way!

Blessings and Happy Sabbath,
John
9/28/18

As I headed to the bathroom I looked at the clock in the hallway, 3:00 am. The floors were cold and even with the oil space heater blazing there was a chill in the house. Turning on the light I went to the sink to brush my teeth, thinking about the cold work day that was to come. Absent mindedly I turned on the water as I applied toothpaste to the brush. As I was still deep in sleepy thought, something struck me, there was no sound of running water. Looking at the faucet, barely a drip. Reaching for the hot water handle…. nothing. My heart sank, and my anger grew. Frozen pipes. Hitting the sink with my hand, I let out a stream of expletives. The third time in less than a month.

Heading back to the bedroom, my wife stirred angrily and asked, “Why are you making so much noise and swearing like a that? You are going to wake the baby!” I snarled at her and let loose another two or three expletives while saying, “The pipes are frozen again and I am sure neither you or the baby are going to crawl under the house at 3:30 in the morning to thaw them out. So, get off my back!” I could tell that she was hurt by my words and attitude, but I did not care. And while thrashing through the closet I heard the baby start to cry and thought. “Good now you can get up and take care of him. Why should I have all the fun.” I heard her say in a weepy voice, “Now look what you have done! I should just stay here in bed and let you get him back to sleep.” As my anger grew, I said in a sarcastic voice, “Yes dear, I will rock the baby and crawl under the house and shovel out the snow from the driveway and be at work by 6:00. Can I fix you breakfast while I am at it?” With that I walked past her and the baby, heading fur the mudroom to put on my coveralls and boots. I could hear her screaming and the baby howling behind me as I slammed the bedroom door. I mumbled a comparison of her and a female dog as my anger boiled hotter. And it was only Tuesday.

Have you ever had one of those days? You get out of bed and from that point nothing goes right. The example of a bad day I have just begun to describe happened many years ago. It sticks in my mind to this day because it ranks up there as one of the worst; and because looking back on it now, I am ashamed of how I handled the problems and the people who fell in my path.

So many times, we have days, weeks, months or maybe even years when life seems out of our control. And even if you are a Christian there is not immunity from these times. In fact, RuthAnn and I have been in this vortex for a few months now. With school starting and taking over leadership of the church’s Community Service, there have been few days where the stress levels have not gone off the chart. But there is a huge difference in how we as a couple who center their lives on Jesus handle these times from the couple who were at each other’s throats in the story above.

Yes, I am the same guy. I still get up at around 3:30 or so in the morning. And though I have never gone to the sink and found out I have frozen pipes. I now have to face problems that only old age and cancer can bring. I know some of the mornings when I haven’t slept, and I know the day is still going to demand my being at my best I feel that old anger welling up inside. I am tempted to lash out in frustration, but I do not. There is a difference, the truth is I am not the same guy. Even if some of my habits have stayed the same, my heart and mind have not. I have been transformed by Jesus Christ and His Word.

The Apostle Paul understood this transformation and in the book of Romans he expresses his desire for us to not only understand but to live it, “And so do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2) When I read this I see that my life is a constantly changing and growing entity as long as I am DAILY renewing my mind in prayer and in God’s Word. That is what makes me a different person today. Angry comes, yes! Frustration with my health limitations, oh yeah! Even pettiness in my relationship with RuthAnn, I am afraid so! But the man who turned frustration into anger and anger into pain for others no longer exists and that is the miracle of faith for me.

About that day. I said it was one of the worst. The reason I say this is later that day upon coming home from work. I found our oil space heater’s carburetor had stuck open and as I entered the bedroom the carpet was covered with oil. I did a stupid thing and opened the port door on the heater, a flame shot out and caught the rug on fire. My house burned not to the ground because the walls were left standing. I can praise God now, neither my wife and son were home at the time. So, no one was hurt. But we lost everything. At the time I cursed everything I could think to curse. But the house was rebuilt, and other days came and went. I see all God’s workings in every moment. I am humbled to know His love is that deep for this flawed man! I want now to wake each day thanking and serving Him. That is my transformation in action. How’s your day going?

Blessings John
9/26/18

“Mr. Weston, I would guess.” He said as I walked through the large oaken doors. His office was lined with shelves and each of them was laden with books. If I didn’t know better I would have thought I was entering a lawyer’s office, but I did know the difference. This guy was a loan shark. I knew his businesses included book-making, pimping and drug dealing. My problem was I needed a loan and I needed it today, beggars can’t be choosy, so they say.

As I approached the desk I had my hand out, but he waved me off and pointed to a chair. Without any niceties got right to business, “Tommy tells me you need four grand and I am assuming if you are here, you ain’t got no collateral.” I thought to myself, “I guess you do not have to be an English major to be a loan shark!” But out loud, I said humbly, “That’s right, Mr. Williams. I do need four thousand dollars and your right no bank is willing to loan it to me.” He smiled looking more shark than human and said, “Tommy also tells me you are a businessman, you own a construction company of some kind. How does a businessman like yourself end up here?” With that he waved his hands around the room, as if to direct me to my circumstances. I sat wondering that myself.

Taking a deep breath, I told him, “It is a long story, but mostly companies we have worked for are holding my monthly payments and have been for a couple of months and I have a payroll to meet.” Hoping as I told him this that he would have sympathy with my concern for others. If he did there were no signs of it. Instead he said, “Yeah, I know, it’s a hard life and then you end up paying me. I guess I really don’t care why you need the dough. I just want you to understand my terms.” With that he began to explain his system of usury. I was pretty sure this was a dumb idea but just sat there nodding my head like the fool I was.

A half hour later, I was on the street and heading for the station wagon where my partner sat. I guess he read my face as I got into the car, “So, I guess you went for it. How much did you get off that guy and what is the vig? (short for vigorish, interest on the loan)” I laid it out and all he could do was shake his head and that is when I knew I was alone in this, he confirmed, “It sucks to be you!”

In debt, we have all been there. Maybe you have never borrowed money from a loan shark, I pray that is true. But I am sure you have or are in debt to the next best thing, a credit card or short-term loan company that takes their usury terms to the legal limits. I don’t think there is anything that can be more distressing and more mind consuming than to have this kind of thing hanging over your head.

Even as followers of Jesus we seem to be prone to spending money we do not have. Sometimes it is for legit reasons. We have our kid’s education. The furnace or air conditioner needs to be replaced. The car is 15 years old and it is either replace or repair. Everyday life expenses where borrowing money might be necessary. But what about those luxuries we are tempted by. Not just replacing the old junker but replacing it with that top of the line SUV that is not in the budget. Or maybe that boat just like the neighbor bought! Or that 72” big screen and home theater system. Can we as followers of Jesus legitimize debt of this kind? And what does God’s Word say?

For sure there are many verses in the book of Proverbs that warn about the consequences of borrowing such as, “The rich rules over the poor. And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” (Proverbs 22:7) And in the New Testament, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 8:13) God knows and we do once we are under the burden of owed money, we are at our best and most in the service of the Lord when we do not take on unnecessary debt.

But what I think it really comes down to is, where is our heart and in whom do we place our trust. Where is our focus, on things of this world or on life with Him in the next? Jesus put it this way, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. (Matthew 6:24) Having money or not having it is not the problem just where our focus is.

If our focus is in the right place we are assured that those everyday concerns including money are secure, “Do not worry then, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we wear for clothing?” “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all other things will be added to you. (Matthew 6: 31-33). Jesus may not be talking about that monster SUV or that boat, but the Lord will provide, it we place what He has given us into His hands. He is the best banker and never charges interest!

Unfortunately, back then, I was in the hands of one who had no mercy, the loan shark took his pound of flesh and more. I eventually paid my debt, but it took just about everything I owned to get out from under. Today, I seek other riches and I thank God He provides for my needs. May we all find our focus on Him who provides and not the things of this world.

Blessings John,
9/24/18

Have you ever been to one of those, ‘Secret to Success’ seminars? There used to be any number of people running around espousing the ‘secret’ to being successful, rich and in control. I haven’t paid much attention to it lately, so I am not sure if this is still a fad. But back in the 80’s it was the thing.

During that time, I was working as a field superintendent for a California company. It was well known that if you were going to get ahead with them you needed to attend one of these seminars. I really was not planning on making my career with these guys or was I ever going to be advanced beyond superintendent, but I had other motives for attending, it was all on comp! A free weekend at a posh hotel, free food and above all an open bar each night. I thought I could put up with some dude shoveling manure for a few hours to get in on the freebies. That was my first mistake.

I don’t remember the name of the seminar, the couple who led it were Bill and Shannon (no last names, please, we are all family here). It was a weekend I would never forget, but I am sure not for the reasons advertised, it was pure hell.

Not long after we signed in and received our name tags, mine said, “Hi I’m, John, (remember, no last names here), we were herded into a large ballroom where the fun began. All of us seated in rows of folding chairs the lights were turned down and, on the stage, a single spot light waited for someone to appear. All of a sudden, a popular song from that time blared from surround sound speakers, it felt like we were at a rock concert. And as ‘We are the champions’ blasted, there they were in the spot, one set of hands raised like a boxer after a knock-out, the other waving at us as if we were adoring fans. Some people clapped, most sat in stunned silence.

From that point everything was action packed. A slide show with an agenda to build winners out of this loser crowd. Bill spoke like a ‘Hell, fire and damnation preacher’, voice booming then so quiet you had to strain to hear. All the while, Shannon used a telescoping pointer to be sure all the dim-wits among us could follow along. Soon it was time for team building exercises. You know the kind. Let yourself fall back, we will catch you. The two and a half days were filled with one success oriented, team building fun time after another. If it wasn’t for the open bar at night, I would have never survived Bill, Shannon and the traveling circus that was called a seminar.

The crazy thing about what I remember from that weekend is no matter how silly the pep talks, role playing or the building exercises, the idea they were promoting was not that far from what we promote as a church. But like all worldly self-centered philosophies they are missing the key ingredient, and that is Jesus Christ. And sometimes I think we as his followers need to be careful we don’t leave him out also.

I was listening to a sermon on Audio verse the other day and for almost 30 minutes I heard all kinds of things. Wonderful advice and admonitions for things done wrong. But it was three quarters in before I heard a word about the One we are here to testify and speak about. Now, I am not the person to be judging why such a sermon was delivered as it was, but it made me realize what a responsibility we all have in sharing our testimony and especially God’s Word.

I know that in these blogs I too am guilty of maybe spending to much time telling the story and not enough time sharing the transformation. But the one thing I pray is that whatever I write it is centered on who I was without Jesus and who I am today with him as my Lord and Savior. Showing the contrast of LOST NOW FOUND.

For me it is all about the Holy Spirit. I can tell when I write something that is not His inspiration. Even when people tell me, “John that blog was good!” When I read it, I know it was more about me then the Spirit would have wanted. If my message or your testimony or our lives are not serving Jesus, we are not using the power He gave us, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8) None of us can do the work we are doing without the power of the Holy Spirit. I can be a communicator of God’s message. I believe He has called me and gave me this gift. But the message has to be, according to the Scripture- Christ dies for our sins, He rose again, and he is coming back soon, and his is ready to come into your heart. If my message here and your message how ever you do it does not convey this, then we are like the Apostle Paul said, ‘a banging gong’. A side show promotor without a saving message. I pray I remember this every day.

Back in the day, I survived that seminar but left there feeling no difference. Years later I was at a camp meeting when a speaker by the name of Elizabeth Talbot also gave a seminar, the difference was hers was not all about self, it was all about Jesus. I was never the same after that camp meeting and was baptized 3 months later. Each of us can have this effect on those who we communicate with, as long as we seek for the One who is, the Way, the Truth and the Life to live in and through us by the Holy Spirit. That is my prayer for all of us today.

Happy Sabbath and blessings,
John
9/21/18