Month: May 2019

Travels with grandkids….

I have traveled a lot during my career. I think I have worked in 40 states or more. Sometimes staying for a week or two and others for much longer. But during those years I was not big on vacations or traveling for enjoyment. Sight seeing or visiting other parts of the country just for the sake of it. Because of this I lived near some of the most spectacular places, like all the national parks of Utah and only visited them when I was working on a project actually in one of the parks. I traveled past the Grand Canyon several times but only saw it one time when I donated some money to PBS and was forced to take time off of work to spend a weekend there. You could say I was pretty ‘Grinchy’ when it came to vacations.

Most of that attitude was due to being a workaholic along with being an alcoholic. That is a deadly combination. Even in the darkest days of my alcohol/drug addictions, I did not miss work, but I surely missed out on life itself. When you are obsessed something has to give and, in my case, it was always family and the good things of life we should share. I just did not care about these things. I know now I missed a lot. And although I cannot make up for those lost days. Today with retirement and sobriety I want to spend time enjoying this magnificent country we live in and enjoy what is so much more important, my wife and my family.

So, ok, I have written this preface with a purpose. Last month RuthAnn and I decided that we would take a trip out west to Wyoming and spend some time digging up dinosaur bones. Many of you know that for several years RuthAnn has been joining the Southwest Adventist University team who have yearly dedicated a month to researching, recovering and logging bones from several species of dinosaurs from a site rich with them. They have built one of the largest collections of bones which are stored at there facility in Keene, Texas and also have the largest online research and informational sites. The work done is simply amazing. And this year we were intent on joining them for a few days.

Plans were set and all things were rolling along. But something we had not foreseen happened; two grandkids were added to the travel plans! One day RuthAnn called me and asked if I would mind if two of our high schoolers would join us on our adventure. I have to admit I was a little taken back. Because of the circumstances I have explained above, I am not used to vacations let alone vacations with teenagers. And not only teenagers but reluctant teenagers, who would rather spend their summer vacation housebound and buried in media.

It all seemed like a disaster waiting to happen. Of course, in all the rig-a-morel I had forgotten, as I do way to often to do the most important thing, pray and turn it over to God. Once I had done that, still with some trepidation, I was willing to follow His lead believing, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) And the truth is once I saw it all in these terms, I saw the blessings.

The first blessing is that I do not know these young ones very well. RuthAnn and I have been married a few years now and even though we live a few miles apart we do not see them very often. Life is busy and time seems to slip right past us. But now a road trip and spending time with them in camp once we are in Wyoming, I might finally get to know them. The second thing, which is so much more important, is we get to share the Jesus we know and love with them. But not just us. The other amazing thing about spending time at the ‘dig’ is the absolutely spiritual atmosphere of the experience. This crew does not just ‘do’ science but also do all to the praise and glory of God. And I believe this will be a life changing experience for these young folks as it was the first time I was there.

So, I thought I would share some of this experience with you all. Every now and again, when I get the chance to type for an hour or so, I will share our ‘travels with grandkids’ moments. I know God has a plan and I am excited to see what is in store. We travel with this in our hearts, 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7) Let the adventure begin!

Blessings
John
5/27/19

Am I willing today…how about you

Am I willing today…how about you

It started out peaceful enough. It was another Friday night at the Zanzibar a local watering hole in Aurora Colorado. I was on maybe my fourth ‘boiler-maker’, a shot of whiskey and a beer. As the TGIF crowd started to gather I was thinking it was time to head to the house. I hadn’t notice a guy had sat at the barstool next to me. He nudged me with his elbow and said, “You look like you just got off work.” In my mind I was thinking, “What was your first clue, Sherlock? Maybe cause I am still in my work clothes.” But I just said “Yeah.”

He was quiet for what seemed a long time but he spoke again, “What are you in construction or something?” Now I turned to look and was shocked to see a man who was wearing the outfit of what I guessed to be a Christian minister. The bells went off in my head, “Oh no, another Jesus pusher.” Now I was sure it was time to head home!

He smiled and said, “My name is Jim.” With that he held out a large hand and after a long moment I shook it. I rose to leave and as I did he gently put his hand on my shoulder and said, “No need to run off, sit let’s talk for a bit.” I shook his hand off and headed out to the parking lot. As I unlocked my door, Jim was walking up, he said, “Son, when I came in the bar I noticed you. You looked so alone.” Then he said something that stuck with me even though I did not know it at the time, “There was once a man…’He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces…’” As he said these words I slammed my truck door gunned my engine and sped away. As I did I flipped Jim the ‘bird’.

I never saw Jim again and never thought of his words until in 2013. My now deceased wife was listening to a sermon in the room next to my office and I heard those exact words again, “Our savior, He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows….” I stopped what I was doing, the memory of Jim flooded back to me. His gentle eyes seem to be penetrating my heart. I felt remorse that I had not sat and talked to him, that I had treated him with disrespect and anger. As I listened to the rest of that sermon on Isaiah 53, I took a moment to ask God for forgiveness and pray for Jim. We never know how what we say or what we do will affect others. I knew so many people in my life that treated me rudely or even with violence. The funny thing is that most of these times or events seem to blend together, few of them remembered. But the words and deeply peaceful gentle eyes of Jim came back to me. And even though I felt remorse I also felt encouraged. Someone in my time of aloneness had reached out and tried to show me the love of God and I felt at that moment could I do any less.

Well you know I have done less many times. Not boldly reaching out to someone in need or taking that chance to talk to someone who just needs a friend. Still daily I find encouragement in the words and actions of Jesus and the leper man who says to Him, “Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man, “I am willing,” he said “be clean.” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.” (Matthew 8:2-3). Jesus was not only willing but He acted on it. He reached out and was willing to touch even one who was thought to be unclean. That is what I want to do!

So today I am remembering Jim and if by God’s will he reads this, I want to say, “Thanks.” Either way I hope to meet him in the kingdom on the day of Jesus return. And like Jesus and Jim maybe today I can be ‘willing’.

Blessings John
5/24/19

Love without God is not love….

There was an accident up ahead. From where I sat I could see the flashing lights of emergency vehicles in the distance. As I looked in my rearview mirror, I could see that traffic was backed up for miles. The 405 around Sepulveda Pass was always a parking lot at 4:00 pm but now this. I looked at my watch and I knew I was going to be late for the dinner meeting I had made with a business client, not a lot I could do about it. As traffic edged a little forward, I decided when I made it to the next ramp I would get off and find the nearest bar, call Jack, and maybe wait this out while having a few drinks.

In about 15 minutes I was moving off the freeway and through the streets. As I approached a stop light I saw a bar that was lit up and the parking lot was full. “Hmm.” I thought “a bunch of folks who were thinking the same thing as me.” As I entered the dimly lit and smoke-filled room, I found a place at the end of the bar. I ordered a double martini and saw the pay phone was not too far away. After calling Jack. I settled in, no used to be in a hurry now.

I was sipping on my drink and trying, as I did to mind my own business. But I could not help but hear the conversation from the stools right next to me. I glanced sideways, trying not to be obvious. The couple was young and both seemed to be business types, suits, and expensive dress wear. Handsome people but now their faces were twisted in anger and in low tones a war was going on.

“I need to move my things out today, Tony! We have been over and over this but you never seem to hear me.” The woman said with anger. The man, whom I assumed was Tony replied, “Listen, Becca, I know what you have said but I know there is some way we could make this work.” I could see he looked both dejected and desperate. None of this seemed to affect the woman I now knew as Becca. She looked straight ahead and just answered in one word, “No!” Tony hung his head and they settled into an uncomfortable silence.

Listening to the couple reminded me of my own troubles with relationships. At this time, I had been married and divorced twice and was in a marriage that was rocky, to say the least. It seemed like I was seeking love and companionship but could not find what I sought. It was a puzzle I could not solve.

Marriage and relationships, for sure the confusion I felt was not new nor is it only found in this age we live in. Listen to what the wise Solomon had to say, “There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of the snake on the rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man and a young woman.” (Proverbs 30:18-19) It seems we have always found intimate love of another person difficult and many times impossible. Yet God did not intend it to be this way.

In the beginning, God created man and woman, “The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones; and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called ‘Woman’. Because she was taken out of Man. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2: 22-24). God intended for a man and a woman to be one. So, what happened, why the struggle. I think we only have to look in the next chapter of Genesis to find the answer.

It is a story that probably everyone knows. The serpent and the forbidden tree. If you have forgotten, take a look at Genesis Chapter 3: 1-10. Here is the short version. The serpent asks Eve if God has restricted them from eating from the fruit of all the trees in the garden of Eden. Eve responds by saying, not all the trees, just the one in the midst of the garden. The serpent, better known as Satan, then convinces Eve that God is holding out on them. If they eat the fruit of that tree they will be just like God, knowing both good and evil. They eat. Immediately things change. Their relationship with each other changes, because their relationship with God changes. You can see it right away in verse 11, “And God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from? The man said, “The woman you put her with me – she gave me some of the fruit of the tree, and I ate it.” “Then God said to the woman. “What have you done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Do you see it? Adam is blaming God for the woman and Eve is blaming the serpent. Does it remind you of an argument you might have had with your spouse lately, it is sometimes called ‘The Blame Game’ and I have been there more times than I would like to admit.

The long and short of it is sin was brought into the world and with it came the struggles with love. Mankind no longer could have that one to one relationship with God, with that we lost our ability to love each other perfectly. Sounds pretty hopeless, doesn’t it? But wait there is more, there is hope.

Only a few verses later in Genesis God makes the first and best promise to us, One, would come who would crush the head of the serpent. One who would free us from the burden of sin. A promise that was kept in Jesus Christ, here is our hope, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3: 16) Perfect love, God’s love is still available for us today and if we base our relationships on that love, it is a game changer.

Some of you know I was recently married and the one thing people ask RuthAnn and myself, “Have you had your first fight yet?” We just smile. Our relationship isn’t perfect, but the God we base our love on is. Day to day we turn our trials and frustrations over to Him because we realize there is one who already has died to save us and trust in that. It works.

Many years ago, in the bar, the couple left in a terrible silence. I knew their lives would be filled with pain. I wish now I had been able to offer them some hope. My prayer is today, I have offered some to you

Blessings John

5/20/19

Hope when your have a bad day….

Have you ever been so tired and discouraged that you just did not want to do anything? I am sure there are plenty of people out there who know what I am talking about. But it is unusual for me. I have never, even in my years of living under the influence, been a depressive. Most mornings I wake up with a positive attitude. But today is one of those rare days when this is not true.

So, as I sat down to write, I began to think, what it would be like to never wake up tired, sad or depressed. And do you know what? I could not do it. I could not sit here and picture an existence where none of this life’s woes were part of our DNA.
I wanted some picture in my mind that would encourage. Some positive thought that would lift me. And as often happens, the Holy Spirit brought a remembrance of something I read a few years ago. It comes out of a book called “Early Writings” by Ellen G White and in it she describes a vision she had of heaven. I don’t usually copy word for word long sections of writing but as it encouraged me this morning, I thought there may be someone else out there who needs to know that this world is not our home. There is a better land waiting. Take in this beautiful word picture and find hope!

“With Jesus at our head we all descended from the city down to this earth, on a great and mighty mountain, which could not bear Jesus up, and it parted asunder, and there was a mighty plain. Then we looked up and saw the great city, with twelve foundations, and twelve gates, three on each side, and an angel at each gate. We all cried out, “The city, the great city, it’s coming, it’s coming down from God out of heaven,” and it came and settled on the place where we stood. Then we began to look at the glorious things outside of the city. There I saw most glorious houses, that had the appearance of silver, supported by four pillars set with pearls most glorious to behold. There were to be inhabited by the saints. In each was a golden shelf. I saw many of the saints go into houses, take off their glittering crowns and lay them on the shelf, then go out into the field by the houses to do something with the earth; not as we have to do with the earth here; no, no. A glorious light shone all about their heads, and they were continually shouting and offering praises to God.

“I saw another field full of all kinds of flowers, and as I plucked them, I cried out, “They will never fade.” Next, I saw a field of tall grass, most glorious to behold; it was living green and had a reflection of silver and gold, as it waved proudly to the glory of King Jesus. Then we entered a field full of all kinds of beasts — the lion, the lamb, the leopard, and the wolf, all together in perfect union. We passed through the midst of them, and they followed peaceable after. Then we entered a wood, not like the dark woods we have here; no, no; but light, and all over glorious; the branches of the trees waved to and fro, and we all cried out, “We will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.” We passed through the woods, for we were on our way to Mount Zion.

“As we were traveling along, we met a company who also were gazing at the glories of the place. I noticed red as a border on their garments; their crowns were brilliant; their robes were pure white. As we greeted them, I asked Jesus who they were. He said they were martyrs that had been slain for Him. With them was an innumerable company of little ones; they also had a hem of red on their garments. Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious temple, and about it was seven other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies.

And I saw the little ones climb, or, if they chose, use their little wings and fly, to the top of the mountains and pluck the never-fading flowers. There were all kinds of trees around the temple to beautify the place: the box, the pine, the fir, the oil, the myrtle, the pomegranate, and the fig tree bowed down with the weight of its timely figs — these made the place all over glorious. As we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised His lovely voice and said, “Only the 144,000 enter this place,” and we shouted, “Alleluia.”

“This temple was supported by seven pillars, all of transparent gold, set in pearls most glorious. The wonderful things I saw there I cannot describe. Oh, that I could talk in the language of Canaan, then could I tell a little of the glory of the better world. I saw there tables of stone in which the names of the 144,000 were engraved in letters of gold. After we beheld the glory of the temple, we went out, and Jesus left us and went into the city. Soon we heard His lovely voice again, saying, “Come, my people, you have come out of great tribulation, and done My will; suffered for Me; come into supper, for I will gird Myself, and serve you.” We shouted, “Alleluia! glory!” and entered into the city. And I saw a table of pure silver; it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it. I saw the fruit of the tree of life, the manna, almonds, figs, pomegranates, grapes, and many other kinds of fruit. I asked Jesus to let me eat of the fruit. He said, “Now. Those who eat o the fruit of this land go back to earth no more. But in a little while, if faithful, you shall both eat of the fruit of the tree of life and drink of the water of the fountain.” And He said, “You must go back to earth again and relate to others what I have revealed to you.”

Then an angel bore me gently down to this dark world. Sometimes I think I can stay here no longer; all things of earth look so dreary. I feel very lonely here, for I have seen a better land. Oh, that I had wings like a dove, then would I fly away and be at rest!” (Early Writings by Ellen G. White. Page 15 (part.))

Today, even as I feel deeply the last lines of this writing that, “…. all the things of earth look so dreary….” I am encouraged, I have hope. I am going to keep this picture of our reward in my mind and know this place is not my home. And now I am smiling and ready to do His will! May your day be brightened too!

Happy Sabbath and Blessings,
John
5/17/19

Judge not….

In his opening statement the district attorney said, “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,” pointing his finger at the accused man, “this man, Tom Gleason, is charged with Robbery and Assault with intent to do bodily harm. We will prove beyond any reasonable doubt that he is guilty as charged…”

I sat in the back row of the jury box and was trying to listen intently to what the DA was saying. The defense attorney had already told us that his client was a victim of circumstances and we needed to look at ALL the evidence before deciding. Now everything he had said seemed to be refuted by the sharp dressed lawyer pacing before us.

I had been called to jury duty three weeks before when an official looking letter arrived at the house. I was summoned to be available for this week in June. Once I had arrived at the courthouse and was sworn in, I never suspected that I would actually be impaneled on a jury but here I was looking at the accused man, thinking, “How am I ever going to be impartial in judgement of a man who is accused of doing things I had already done myself?” True enough, I had never been arrested for the crimes but it did not mean I had not done them. What would qualify me to judge this guy?

The DA put his case on throughout the first day. Witness after witness ended their testimony by pointing a finger at the accused and stating clearly that he was the man who perpetrated the crime. The defense attorney seemed to do very little to rebuke any of the accumulating evidence against his client. Even I was starting to be convince that this guy was guilty. Maybe the DA had good reason to look so smug as he rested his case.

The next day it was the defenses’ turn. This time we heard testimony that the defendant was just a good man in a bad situation. Even if it was true he was near the scene of the crime when it occurred he had not done it, clearly it was a case of mistaken identity. A friend stated that he was with the man at that time and assured us he didn’t do it. A relative said she was on the phone with him at the time the crime was committed. Character witnesses that stated what an upstanding family man Tom Gleason was. I could feel that my confidence in his guilt being eroded. And as the lawyers made their summations I was not sure what I was going to do.

Jesus said this, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7: 1-3)

How often am I guilty of this? I would say it is so often that I am embarrassed to admit it. How many times have I convicted someone of an offense without any evidence or even seeking an explanation? Again, the answer is, too often. My problem is, how do I practically go about changing this attitude? Jesus answer comes in the next verse.

He compliments verses 1-3 in Chapter 7 of Matthew by saying, “You hypocrite. First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7: 8) Simple but effective. Maybe if I stop for just an instant, remember who I am, a guilty sinner. Stop and give the Holy Spirit the time to speak instead of me. The log would fall away and I could see the person standing in front of me more clearly. I could be humbled and helpful not judge and jury.

It really comes down to love. Stated best by the apostle Paul, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-5) If we are not envious, boastful, or proud. When we are not dishonoring others, seeking to please ourselves or easily angered. When we keep no scoreboard of wrong doing. Then we might find we have nothing to judge others about. Then maybe we will listen more and speak less.

I did sit in judgement on that jury years ago. The other jurors opinions of the man’s guilt convinced me. But as I sat looking at him while the judge pronounced the verdict, I was the one who felt guilty. I am glad I have never had to do that again. But am ashamed to admit I have sat in judgement of others in my everyday life way too often. Today it is my prayer to have the ‘love words’ from First Corinthians in my heart and mind. To listen before I speak. And to judge not lest I be judged. It is also my prayer for this world of conflicting views and for you.

Blessings John

5/15/19