"God Put You In My Way"

Abou Fatma: Are you a deserter?
Harry Faversham: Something like that. I was sent to fight and I ran away.
Abou Fatma: Why?
Harry Faversham: Why? I just... There are many reasons why. Mostly I was afraid.
Abou Fatma: [laughs] I found you halfdead crossing the desert alone. And you say you are afraid?
Harry Faversham: There's a different kind of fear. Why are you protecting me?
Abou Fatma: God put you in my way. I have no choice.
Harry Faversham: God? An Englishman... and a Christian? You must have done something terrible to offend him. [laughs]
                                                        Four Feathers 2002

Cell phones, Facebook, Twitter, SnapTalk, Google, Instagram, Pinterest, Youtube and more consume and often disengage our lives from the need directly before our eyes or simply sitting in the seat next to us. How are we ever to recognize whom 'God has put in our way' if all these didistractions become our focus?

 

For years, perhaps since the 'Four Feathers' debuted now 14 years ago, I have related the story and illustration found deep within this fine movie on several occasions. God has likewise placed an untold number of actual people and circumstances 'in my way' as proof of the tremendous value of its truth.

The connection of the two paragraphs above is once again found within one of my key 'mantras' of life, that is 'Simplicity, Flexibility and Availability'. When life has a much simpler fare to it, we become less distracted and are more likely to engaged to the need of the moment. Perhaps it's like being at a ballgame. You have the vendor going by offering an array of goodies; your cell phone tones alerting you to a new message; someone passes in front of you on their way to the snack bar; your engaged to the laughter and story of a fan sitting behind you... Just slightly distracted, you're unaware that the most amazing play of the game is unfolding until you hear the roar of the crowd... And then...it's to late, you missed it. Sure, replay will bring some redemption, but life does not so easily provide such a replay. 

In the stillness of creation...sits simplicity!

 One such person that 'God has placed in my way' recently is Everett. My wife and I met Everett and Dorothy in June of 2014. We were getting back on our Goldwing when they approached the bike. Everett with his brilliant smile said, "Now that's something we'd like to do again". After some conversation we agreed to meet in the near future. Due to timing and schedules (what did I say about simplicity) it would not happen until October. At that lunch engagement we were able to enjoy wonderful conversation about our journeys through life. It just so happened that both couples were off on extended trips and thus would not be able to connect again. Fast-forward some fifteen months when I would give Everett a call. A couple additional rounds of phone-tag and learning that Dorothy had died, we were able to reconnect.

If only we had a sign to remind us...

Since that time Everett and I have been meeting weekly over coffee, breakfast and even the VA where we enjoyed church during our 10 hour visit. Just this last week Everett asked, "Rick, why did you reconnect with me after such a long time"? "Everett, 'God placed you in my way' "!

My hope and encouragement is that you would intentionally limit the busyness and distraction factor in your life. That you would go about your daily routine being available for that very person that 'God will put in your way'. It may be just for the moment, or it may be a new friend for a life time.

 

The Last Alarm...A Farewell to a Firefighter Comrade

The 'ringing of a bell' has significance to many people for many reasons. For a firefighter that significance for their 'Last Alarm' or 'Last Call' is one that can leave chills. It did for me yesterday as a brother firefighter of whom I had the pleasure to work with during twenty years of my career received his 'Last Call'. 

This 'ringing' or sometimes called 'passing' or 'tolling' is set forth in a history that is literally hundreds if not thousands of years. For the firefighter it has been traced back at least two hundred years. And though there are a difference in the number of rings, it is always a slow or toll given at the death of a brother or sister firefighter. The bell is a symbol of the call of duty for the firefighter. In the past it was used to signify the beginning and completion of each daily tour as well as each alarm throughout that tour or shift. When a firefighter dies the bell is rung with three rings, three times each. This represents the end of our comrades’ duties and that he or she will be returning to quarters.

A 10th Anniversary Bell at Sta 80

For me, yesterday's 'Last Call' had significance in four additional ways. His 'Last Call' was one of celebration not mourning. Though I've attended the service of my black brothers and sisters is Christ before, it had been quite some time. Oh baby they can belt out the songs :) Then the stories shared, especially from his children and even an amazing tribute from a seven year old grandson. This was followed by a very clear message of the hope and joy of the gospel. And last, to share this time with several of my fellow firefighter comrades. Reconnecting with many and knowing that they unabashedly heard of that hope of a life lived in Christ.

So at this 'Last Alarm' for our brother Albert we also gladly say 'Well done good and faithful servant'

 

 

Though Albert did not die in the 'line of duty', this video shows a very good representation of the ringing of the bell along with the 'honor guard' duties.

No Harm, No Foul…Except When There’s a Foul - A Drunk Drivers Redemption -

Sometimes the experience of another is just enough to create a life changing moment. Such is the case of Lance (not his real name) of whom I’ve had the pleasure to meet several times while getting in a ‘stairclimb’ workout. The outdoor stairs that we have here in our small town is for him a means to keep his ‘ticker’ beating, for me a great way to prepare. Though we often just say hi and continue with our individual routine and rhythm, there are times that we stop and yak. That was the instance the other day. I remember Lance telling me that he had had a drinking problem, but I did not know the extent nor what influenced his decision to lay the bottle down.

It was the early 90’s and Lance found himself having a bit too much liquor before making his way to his truck for the drive home. During that drive Lance began to fall asleep and slid into a small ditch. Upon hitting it he was able to quickly stop the vehicle and just sit there for a few minutes before continuing down the highway. As he sat...he thought to himself how grateful he was that he didn’t cause any injury to himself or others, to which he proclaimed nonchalantly, “No harm, no foul”!

 

 It would be only a short time from that event in which another ‘drunk driver’ fell asleep at the wheel. Though for that driver there was a ‘foul’ as two young lives were taken. As Lance described the event I realized that it was the same accident in which I’ve thought of and driven past many times. The two girls were Junior High age and were returning from a party along Hwy 213 near Oregon City. Today they would be in their 30’s.

Lance reflected upon his “No harm, no foul” thought and realized just how amazingly fortunate he was. He could have caused the same. Still for a few months Lance would allow the bottle to be his companion. Then, just prior to Thanksgiving that same year he stopped drinking ‘cold turkey’. Now some 20 years later he is a changed man. He can often be found cutting wood for those in need. Seems that he realizes that life is a gift…and gift to be given.

 

 There was one who gave his life in order to provide a 'life changing moment' for each of us. His name, Jesus. The cross, though the means of His death, has become a symbol of hope. A hope, because through the Cross of Christ, and the resurrection on that Sunday morn, all can have hope. Life IS A GIFT. A gift given to us through our Creator who gave His son to be our ransom. Might it become a gift that you receive...and a gift that you give in return.

Coffee Capital of the World…Silverton?

'Gear Up'...my main coffee connection

In the past three years I’ve ventured on four different journeys’ eastward on motorcycle enjoying the amazing landscape of this land called America. Many are the keys to my travels, but of greatest are simply seeing what lies around the next bend (as my uncle Ronnie so instilled within me as a young lad), marveling at the beauty of both the wonder of animals and the panorama painted by the Creators hand, and meeting interesting characters along the way.

My favorite drive through...

And yet close behind these I would have to include the daily task of finding the ‘mom and pops’ diner and/or coffee shop. Diner’s, they have been relatively easy, coffee shops on the other hand, not so much! Often as I venture eastward beyond our town of Silverton, or perhaps even Central Oregon, the coffee shop experience quickly fades. Less of course you add ‘McDonalds’, or toward the East coast ‘Dunkin Donuts’ to this encounter.  But then again, they don’t exactly fit the ‘mom and pop’ model now do they?

Main Street Bistro

Many are better coffee connoisseurs than me. Actually, I know very little about coffee. My coffee experience didn’t even begin until I reached my mid-thirties while attending paramedic school at OHSU. Long days of study and my unfamiliar daily drive in traffic eventually led toward a slow and casual move into the coffee culture. Even then, until recently my typical coffee encounter for several years was merely four or five times a month. And then it was only towards a ‘foo-foo’ coffee at best. More recently, over the past five years or so I have found coffee shops (mom and pops in particular) to be a great place for connecting with old friends or meeting new ones.

And then, if you live in Silverton…well, we may be the coffee capital of the world. With eight such places in which you can come in from the cold and sit down with friends and enjoy your java, or if you’re on the move, we now have four drive-through locations as you head toward your Salem, Portland or Silver Falls destinations. Why ‘Dutch Brother’s' added their brand to the town…something to do with ‘business’ I guess. Per capital that works out to be one coffee shop per 800 citizens. Then if you eliminate toddlers and others who shouldn't or don't have the frequent espresso in their diet, that number decreases to something closer to 500. Ok, that was not a scientific study...I'm just saying.

Anyway, if you enjoy the journey through ‘smallville’ America and like coffee, make sure you include a stop into Silverton. You're sure to find some good coffee, and better yet you might just find a new friend.

1...1...1...1

Where silly meets simple or...where simple meets silly.

Oh...so maybe this is a secret which should remain so. There have been so many 'simple' things that we have enjoyed, but I don't think there are any quite so simple nor frequent as...1...1...1...1. And you can even say it...1111, or 11...11, or 1...1...11, or...you get the idea. The object is to be the last one to say 1..1..1..1 before it turns...1...1...1...2. In the World Series of 1...1...1...1...I'm not sure who has come out ahead. There's no score keeping, only silly fun between husband and wife.

Yet there is one aspect where 'silly' does become 'serious', that's when I look and the clock actually shows 11:11. It is at that time, no matter what I'm doing, I think of Karen. It may just a simple thought, or a smile, a prayer or a recent memory.

Whatever your relationship, might silly and simple routines become a regular component of your day. Plus you have the added benefit of not spending great amount of dough for entertainment. 'Free' surely is a good price :)

A Christmas Carol...thought

Gonzo and Rizzo

Christmas conjures up more traditions than any season and/or event within our American culture. Decorations and presents likely lead the list of traditions that emerge, but others include, caroling and plays, feast and family, trees and mistletoe, stockings and Santa, cards and candy canes and hopefully even the remembrance of the Christ child. Movies for the season perhaps are close to the top. You can always find numerous ‘Hallmark’ expressions of Christmas or the infamous ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’. Still others live and die by ‘Christmas Vacation’ or ‘A Christmas Story’. And of course Charles Dickens provides perhaps one of the most enduring reflections in His ‘Christmas Carol’. Written in a mere six weeks with the belief that he could reach greater masses regarding his concerns about poverty and social injustice through story than any other means. 

'Christmas Present'

Two adaptations of the ‘Christmas Carol’ are regulars in our home, a 1970 version called ‘Scrooge’ with Albert Finney and the 1992 movie with Michael Caine in ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’. Yes, the ‘Muppets’. It provides plenty of humor along with a few thought provoking lines. My favorite characters ‘Gonzo the Great’ and ‘Rizzo the Rat’ with their, "Light the lamp, not the rat". And of all the quotes I think none are greater than Scrooge during his time

with ‘Christmas Yet to Come’ when he says:

“Ebenezer Scrooge: [in the graveyard] Must we return to this place? There is something else that I must know, is that not true? Spirit, I know what I must ask. I fear to, but I must. Who was the wretched man whose death brought so much glee and happiness to others? 

[the spirit points to a headstone, Scrooge begins moving toward it, then turns back, frightened]

Ebenezer Scrooge: Answer me one more question. Are these the shadows of things that *will* be, or are they the shadows of things that *may* be only?

Scrooge with 'Christmas Yet to Come'

[the spirit points again at the gravestone, Scrooge slowly approaches it]

Ebenezer Scrooge: These events can be changed! A life can be made right.

[he clears the snow from the stone and reads]

Ebenezer Scrooge: [in tears] Ebenezer Scrooge! Oh please Spirit, no! Hear me, I, I am not the man I was! Why would you show me this if I am past all hope?...

[sobbing]

Ebenezer Scrooge: I, I *will* honor Christmas, and try to keep it all the year! I will live my life in the past, the present and the future. I will not shut out the lessons the spirits have taught me! Tell me that I may sponge out the writing on this stone!

[kneeling, clutching at the spirit's robe]

Ebenezer Scrooge: Oh Spirit, please speak to me!”

Perhaps the essence of the story found in this simple sentence, “Are these the shadows of things that 'will' be, or are they the shadows of things that 'may' be only?” Is it not as well the purpose of the Christ child. The changes that are possible in each of our lives, the changes that can affect those who are placed in our path. Plus the realization that we are not “past all hope”.

As the year 2016 begins I like to remember that they are “shadows that may only be”. And that mine is a “A life that can be made right”, a life that can be a present and presence of hope to a world that is often without.

I give thanks to my Savior Jesus Christ for the provision of that hope. And I look forward to next year when once again we'll sit together to watch this version of 'A Christmas Carol'.

 

Plus "It Feels Like Christmas"