More characters

Two Bible presentations I forgot yesterday that were really cute:

four children each dressed in one color of the rainbow. Green and red were not represented "because they were at the North Pole helping Santa."

David Rubio's children: two came dressed from chin to ankle in large towels. The baby girl's job was to touch their feet in syncopation. Some of the clues were: They are found on almost every page of the Bible. We seldom read them. Bible scholars always read them. As she touched the feet, David made a musical sound in the microphone. Guess? Footnotes! Funny!

Parade of Bible characters is one of those special times when the whole church community can feel bonded in something fun. I hope your church has such times.

Parade of animals and characters in the Bible

Teresa of Avila prayed, "From silly devotions and from sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us."

There were no sour-faced saints at Otter last night as our children dressed up like animals or characters from the Bible and paraded in front of us to guess who they were. They gave three clues to their costume.

Of course with children, one never knows what will happen--as the tiny ones alternately posed and then tried to crawl off the stage, we were chuckling at the efforts of their parents to corral them.

Maddie, Ella and Sam were Moses (Sam in a wicker basket), the Egyptian princess who was his second mother (Maddie) and Ella (his first mom) Sam[s white, white skin glowed (he was clad only in a diaper) as he waved to the audience. One group portrayed the creation with little boy (barely walking) who had fig leaves pasted to his diaper (he was hilarious). Two sisters portrayed Zaccheus and a tree. The taller older sister had a green paper wig which looked like long leaves and the younger sister was sitting on the older sister's shoulders. A large group was the 12 spies accompanied by James Bond music--10 of the spies had on black and 2 had on white. One of Lee Camp's sons came on carrying a saw with an "E" pasted on it. The prize for the most creative, I think, should go to the Crisman's--One daugher carried a large picture of Dan Quale (sp.?) and the other was wearing a cardboard poster with crackers pasted on--Quail and manner in the desert!

It was fun and informative and showed the creative side of Otter.

Gorgeous fall day

What a beautiful day today--bright and full of sun, around 58 degrees, so fallish. It brought to mind that poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay:

God's World

O world, I cannot hold thee close enough!
Thy winds, thy wide grey skies!
Thy mists that roll and rise!
Thy woods, this autumn day, that ache and sag
and all but cry with colour!
...Lord I do fear
Thou'st made the world too beautiful this year.

The joys of libraries

I visited the book sale of the Brentwood Library today. And got 15 books for $8.50--nwo that's a bargain.

This sale is how I feed my mystery at night habit--I will have enough now to last me until the next sale. And of course I donate the books I am finished with to Good Wiil, take them off my income tax and benefit others that way.

The Brentwood Library is a lovely little building set behind 10 red oaks just off Concord Road near me. The trees were a sight to see today--some all red, some yellow and red, and some red, yellow and red. I love red oaks and libraries!

One never sees people coming out of a library frowning (except children who wanted just one more book). As I browsed in my treasures today sitting outside the library door, I observed those who came out. All were carrying bags full of books and smiling.

More words

I have a little essay on words rolling around in my head...but it is not finished yet. Just some random thoughts about words:

Ecclesiastes 5 has two passages about words--One about religion vs. 2 and one about the meaningless of words v. 7. As for meaningless, our abject devotion to consumerism has fostered misuse of words. For example:

Brownies without consequences--not true ever

A full l% discount--now isn't that special?

I think the following quote by Fydor Dostoevsky can apply to both religion and advertising:

"Above all, do not lie to yourself. A man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point where he does not discern any truth either in himself or anywhere around him, and thus falls into disrespect towards himself and others."

Words, words, words

If you have been following Phil's and Brandon's blogs, you have seen words, words, words. Inflammatory words like liberal, conservative, progressive, political, etc.
As I was being trained for debate in high school, my coach told us never to use such words because they can never be successfully defined and because they are inflammatory. In using them, the debater loses the message he/she is wishing to push.

I would much rather have seen those bloggers who wrote debating the practice of sabbath (which was the majority of Winner's message on Saturday morn.) Commands to observe sabbath far outweigh commands to be baptized and to sing (not play). Our perfunctory observance of quietness and silence before God betrays our inmost being.
We would rather be discussing liberalism, etc. Zoe in its desire for renewal always offers alternative thinking and options to those who attend its conferences. Renewal can come in so many different ways. May the thrust for seeing the poor and for bringing those trapped in same-sex attraction out of the pit continue as we search for better ways to be Christ in this world.

Schermerhorn Heaven

God is in heaven and we are on earth as Ecclesiastes says, but heaven was very close to earth last night at the Schermerhorn Symphony Hall in Nashville.

A sold-out crowd of believers were lifted beyond the ceiling of that beautiful building as choirs, soloists, groups (including the Zoe Group!) and instrumentalists sang and played religious music.

Featuring every thing from handbells to harmonica, from an American Idol winner to the Nashville First Baptist Choir, the program was very diverse. Zoe sang three songs--two with accompaniment and one by themselves. I was so proud to see them up there with world-class singers in a room designed to best the most famous opera houses of Europe.

Even better, the largest choir was black--so the audience attending to see them and all the others was not segregated. I could not help but wonder as I drove home why we cannot drop all these relatively minor distinctions and really become one body.

One of my favorites of the evening was Buddy Green and his harmonica--he played a lovely, haunting entry to O Thou Fount of Every Blessing.

All in all, it was a rousing success. Thanks to Nan and Doug Smith, I got to sit in a loge box just a stone's throw away from the stage--they are wonderful, generous
friends.

Widowhood

I have been a widow now for 15 yesrs--those years went so fast--none of them passed that I did not miss Sam and his influence in my life. In widowhood, I miss, of course, the warm body next to mine and the conversation in our daily lives. Also other things: the gap in Sam's front teeth, which little Sam seems to have inherited
(see current picture on Brandon's blog), Sundays with him at church, listening to his off-key singing and his Amen after prayer, his expertise at fixing anything broken--no handyman could have done better, Sam's wisdom in many things--education, religion, friendships, etc., his love of laughter and pranks, the famous "Sam Thomas stories" which still linger in Abilene, and his patience with his wife who was so different from him, and his loving fatherhood with our little red-haired son who was so dear to us.

I think Sam Thomas would have been the "worst" grandfather ever--spoiling, loving, playing with, telling stories to, and meeting every desire of his precious ones.

Thanks you God for the 33 years we had together in your service.

More Zoe

I know those of you who couldn't come to Zoe may be tiring of hearing about it--but couldn't resis one more.

It was refreshing to hear Lauren Winner--a young articulate boomer of the emergent generation speak--she is educated, articulate, and winning. I loved hearing her speak about observing sabbath in this busy world. That has been one of my interests for some time. Her book Mudhouse Sabbath also spends time on the subject--I highly recommend it. She did not advocate total withdrawal each Saturday,but advocated it as a time of stepping aside when possible from consumerism, entertainment, and the other beckoning temptations of our day. A quote from Mudhouse: "For Christians, Sabbath has an added dimension--it commemorates not only God's resting from Creation, but also God's Resurrection." And what a celebration that should be!

In Mudhouse Sabbath Winner goes on the write about other Jewish traditions which would enrich the Christian life like hospitality, fasting, candle-lighting, eating kosher food, etc.

Father, help me to spend my time wisely for you.

Zoe Musings

Well, the Zoe Conference is over for another year. It was wonderful in so many ways.

It was good see fellow bloggers like Drew and Matt and meet several of you who say you spend time reading this. Thanks for your interest and your good wishes.

The best thing Sam and I ever did is our son. Permit me a moment to contemplate on this gift God gave us almost 37 years ago. To watch him at Zoe and at Otter is the most fulfilling thing of my life outside of being in Christ. Brandon has a charismatic persona that just reaches out to those who are wanting to worship with him. And he was in his element Friday and Saturday nights at Zoe. The Spirit helped him lift us up before the throne higher than ever. And he is also such a model to those who want to lead their churches in the ways he introduces the music, leads prayers, reads scripture, and shows his joyful spirit as he sings. I have seen too many "song leaders" lead singing with hang-dog faces in my life time--it is wonderful to see Brandon show those teeth that I helped pay for as he leads us.

Thank you God for your gift of my son who regularly leads me to your Son.

Stories

Tim said last Sunday morning that we are betting our lives on the fact that the story about Christ is true.

One of my favorite passages is Hebrews 11--especially from verse 32 to the end where all kinds of stories pop up. Stories of torture, chains and dungeons. Stories about those who were sawed in two, who wandered the earth in animal skins, etc. Peterson says they made their way "as best they could on the cruel edges of the world."

These stories are still happening today--we just don't hear many of them or choose not to hear them.

Father, give me the faith of these ancestors so that I may serve you on the cruel edges of the world.

Is Life Random?

We were in Ecclesiastes 3 yesterday which begins with that magnificent cyclical poem There is a time... and the question for the morning was Is Life Random? Was the author of Ecclisiastes Calvinist before there was a Calvin?

After much discussion and a look at Ps. 3l:15 "our times are in God's hands" and Jeremiah 29:11 "God knows the plans he has for us". most of the group agreed that every event is a part of God's plan--there is a purpose for our birth, our death, and everything in between. Where free will intervenes is anybody's guess and another topic for discussion, as is the place of predestintion. I am loving teaching Ecclesiastes--it is challenging!

As we approach the end of the chapter in vs. 18 and on, the writer scares Christians by seeming to negate the idea of an afterlife. We all die like the dogs and then we turn back to dust. My question with this will be, if Ecclesiastes is inspired and a part of the canon, why did not the "Inspirer" drop a hint to this wisest man in the world about Jesus and the resurrection? Earlier in the book, vs. 11 says he has "Put eternity in our hearts"--is that a reference to heaven?

Somebody help me, please.

Clouds

I have never been able to see "horsies" and "duckies" in clouds from below them. However, as I flew back to Nashville last weekend, I rode above the clouds and saw these magnificent sights:

A small snow child bent in concentration over her marshmellow houses

A light puffy carpet of clouds connected by wispy gauze on which I could imagine God stepping out of his throne to survey his universe below

gigantic of pieces of ice floating on a sea of navy blue

I don't know that Wilbur and Orville knew what their creation would become, but I do know that they too would marvel at the sights above the clouds.

Reunion

Returning to a place after 50 years is a bittersweet experience. One notices the decline of the buildings, roads and street signs and the valiant attempt of the merchants to "spruce up Main Street" for Homecoming.

The high school from which I graduated burned sometime in the 80's, so we bore no attachment to the new school ( which, by the way, was the nicest building in town).

As I met and talked with my classmates (we have all morphed into gray-haired seniors with lined faces--all except my friend Joye), it was interesting to note that some traits do not disappear with time. Generally those who were leaders in our class still appear to be so. Those who were quiet and in the background were the same at the reunion. It was nice to see one who had the hardest time growing up (single mother of unknown ethnicity, rough home life, etc.) became the only one in the class with a terminal degree--in math no less. I would like to have know what they thought of me at age 68.

Reunion

I attended my 50 high school reunion in Hamlin, Texas last weekend. Homecoming reunions in small Texas towns are always wonderfully the same, but unique. First of all, all the men wear hats. The policemen directing traffic in the Homecoming Parade stop and talk to those on the float. People line the parade route in lawn chairs and children hover waiting for treats.

At homecoming, there are certain requisites: the barbeque before the big game in the high school cafeteria with chocolate cake and cafeteria peaches. Then the game where everyone is dressed in school colors (green and white, Hamlin Pied Pipers) even dogs. Since when has it become a thing to bring your small lap dog to a football game? I saw at least 4. The marching band blessedly interrupted the dull game. I noticed that twirlers are out of the picture--now they twirl guns and carry flags. I miss the sequined twirler. Of course the king and queen are crowned and the Coming Home King and Queen are presented. I endured all four quarters of the game chatting with my friend Paige Baize and other classmates.

Our party after the game was rife with cokes, dips and sandwiches and catching-up. There were so many pictures of children and grandchildren, I couldn't get around to seeing them all. We had 42 in our graduating class; 12 have died. Of the remaining 30, 24 showed up. I think that is a phenomenal number. There were two others living in Hamlin that didn't show.

On Saturday we were loaded on a cotton trailer and became part of the parade. There were about 8 floats mostly about God and country, all manner of decorated bicycles and wagons. The Homecoming Royalty rode in the back of a pick-up truck on lawn chairs. As we rode, we threw green and white beads (shades of Mardi Gras) to the dancing children.

A steak dinner rounded out the weekend. What a joy to see friends and trade stories.

Ann Richards

I was sorry to hear yesterday of the death of Ann Richards--another in the long line of truly unique Texas governors.

She was a Democrat with verve and brass and grit--all highly valued qualities in Texas and in my book. I will never forget the picture of her on the cover of Texas Monthly in her perfectly-coiffed gray hair sitting on a motorcycle. She told things like they were without fear of offending anyone--no wimpy limp-wristed politician she. I will miss her.

The weather here has been absolutely gorgeous--60's in the morning and high 70's in the p. m. I do hope fall is actually here to stay.

I will be off for a few days on a journey down memory lane.

Bless me Daddy, for I have sinned

In the Beth Moore series in which I am now a discussion leader, we talked yesterday about addressing God as Abba Father which really means, I am told, "Daddy".

There were mixed reactions. Most admitted that they had used that term; but all admitted some reluctance to do it. Our vision of God and of our own earthly fathers hinders us at times from a very personal relationship with the sovereign God.

From the "Your God is too Small" movement in the 60's to the older pictures of God as a white-haired bearded old man on a glittering throne in heaven, we have all had various pictures of God in our minds.One woman who still remembered the "hell fire and brimstone" messages of her youth asked how could you address such a vengeful God as Daddy?

I think I am maturing in my vision of God--I do like to give Him some shape as I talk to Him, but he no longer has a beard and white hair--He is more amorphus now.
In fact, I like praying to a lighted candle, as I think that typifies Him more than any shape--warm, strong, shining. A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS.

What is your vision of God today?

Riches

This past weekend was a surfeit (I have always wanted to use that word) of riches:
Selah on Friday night, the musical Big River at the Boiler Room Theater on Saturday and the Glory Bugles on Sunday night.

We were very pleasantly surprised at the Big River production--some excellent actors. The theater does amazing things with its tiny stage. The singers were almost as good as the ones in the ACU production when Brandon was one of "The Boys".
I love the music in this play--it was a very special night.

What can one say about the Glory Bugles? If you have ever enjoyed Smoke on the Mountain or the Sanders Family Christmas; if you enjoy satire and irony at the expense of all you have loved and obeyed in the past; if you like Garrison Kellor's stuff, then you would love the Glory Bugles. What a fun-filled evening! Knowing that half the team belonged to Bernie Arnold made the event even more special. And the Wayne Reed Center benefitted too. Loved it.

Thank you God for the talented artists you have given us to enjoy. May we always think to glorify you for all your gifts to us.

Bless the Broken Road

I attended my first Selah concert last night at Christ Presbyerian. It was as wonderful as I knew it would be. Good to see the group face to face. I have rhapsodized about them in this space before. Love their music! I did miss Nichole---the sister of Tood who has been called to a ministry in Georgia (with her husband) and who is concentrating on solo work now. I miss her smoky alto.

Selah has a new album: Bless the Broken Road; the Duets Album. It is excellent--the opener is a keeper! Melodie Crittenden ( who sings it on the album) was there last night. I didn't know she was the first to record Broken Road. Of course, Rascal Flatts made it a big hit recently. It plays well here. Other singers on the album include Nichole Nordeman, BarlowGirl, Nicole C. Mullen, Kim Hill (she was there last night and rocked!), Jill Phillips, and Cynthia Clawson.

Go buy it; you won't be sorry.

Eat it now, wear it later

I must brag just a bit--I have lost some weight. My doctor was ecstatic and I am proud.

However, I must admit to being addicted to the Starbuck's Strawberry Thing (Thanks Brandon!). I can't pass a store without stopping and getting one. I am sure there several hundred calories there. And unfortunately there will soon be a Starbucks near me on Nolensville Rd.

Got to work on that self-control----not my best trait.