Sojourning Pilgrim

out of pocket . . .

I'm gonna be out of pocket for about a week - deer hunting (and hogs and turkeys and finding a new camper) in Texas. Burnet, Texas - on the edge of Lake Buchannan in the Texas Hill country. Those of you who have seen this place can attest that I am traveling to one of the most beautiful places in the world. Time for a little R and R.

If I get a chance and place to blog, I will. Otherwise, I haven't dropped off the face of the blogisphere - I've simply stepped aside for some perspective - and some venison.

Until then . . .

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 6:43 PM 2 comments

ain't it funny how time passes . . .

I looked up, and I hadn't posted for a few days. Let's see . . .

Returned from the trip to Kansas - preachers behaving like preachers - when there's no one looking. We had a good time, and got a good look at the lessons for Advent. I appreciate Bob and Larry and Keith and Steve for putting up with a novice preacher for a couple of days. BTW - the Grand Central Hotel in Cottonwood Falls is a beautiful place, and they really rolled out the red carpet for us.

We Habitated Saturday a.m. Continental Resources brought out around a dozen folks and we completely sided the house in about 5 1/2 hours. They were a pleasure to work with, and frankly, it's the best siding job in the 7 houses I've been a part of.

Saturday night and Sunday afternoon was the Enid Symphony's first performance. Maria Ferrante, soprano, was our guest artist. Wow. Can she sing. And she has a personality to go with it. As co-president, I had the privilege of welcoming our patrons to the beginning of our Centennial Season. Quite a big deal. If you take a look at the link to the symphony, make plans to come to a concert. They really are quite good.

I wrote a sermon in there sometime. Sunday morning we had a nice crowd, and 14 visitors, by my count. I love worshipping at Cornerstone. BTW#2 - the church has put together a new blog. Still early, but all Cornerstone folks are welcome to join. Let me or Mike Kear know, and we'll get you an e-mail invitation. If you just want to read and comment (not write), you do not have to join as a writer. We're hoping it develops into another way to let the community know about Cornerstone.

Just work today - but I am starting to think about getting away for a few days for vacation. Time to slay animals. So, much work to do in three days, and get ready for a guest in the pulpit for Sunday.

Maybe more tomorrow.

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 7:17 PM 3 comments

Getting out, while the getting is good

Well, round two . . . folks fleeing the Houston and Corpus Christi area in front of this storm, and for good reason. The last hurricane that I "rode out" was Alicia in 1983. I lived in Houston much to much of my life, and endured numerous hurricanes. I just knew Alicia would be the same. Wrong. That one scared me. It was a direct hit on Galveston and Houston, and if memory serves me, it wasn't near the hurricane this one is. Word of warning to those still within 100 miles of the coast - Get out. Now.

Still, watching 3 million people try to evacuate Houston puts me in mind of what it must have been like for the children of Israel to leave Egypt. Hmmm.

So, I'm sojourning north to Kansas for an overnight planning session. Several boys are meeting in Cottonwood, Kansas for a first look at Advent for this year. Isn't that like 8 weeks away still??? Oh, well. Fellowship. Then back to Enid to write the sermon on Friday night, Habitat on Saturday morning, and Symphony on Saturday night. I sure live a full and meaningfull life, huh!!

Pray for the travelers. All of them.

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 8:02 AM 2 comments

trying to improve at my craft

I'm back from the Missouri Pastor's conference. Golf on Monday morning, conference that afternoon, evening, and this morning.

Wayne Stacy was our facilitator - he did a good job. It's a little spooky watching someone who is so talented/graced at the art of crafting a sermon. It's pretty obvious he works at it a lot harder than I do, but he has a skill that I can only really aspire to - as Col. Potter said in M*A*S*H about a particular bottle of sherry, "There's not enough o's in 'smoooooooth' to describe . . ." Well, you get the idea.

Weeks like this one are good for me, though - sit back and listen to someone who's been at this longer, and knows more of what he's trying to accomplish. You come away from something like this with a few more tools, and that's really all you can ask.

BTW - Ran into Tom Dunn. No, not Dad - there's a pastor in Missouri by that name - I met him several years ago. The only conversation we had was this afternoon after the conference was over. We were in the common room, and I was facing the back window. So, he was rather sillouetted, and the shape of his head, with thinning hair . . . it was a little eerie.

I want to welcome two new bloggers. Younger friends. Take a look at Gentlewarrior and Go Barefoot. You'll like them both.

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 9:38 AM 0 comments

a Milestone

I attached a site meter a couple of months ago, and I have been amazed at where people come from to read this blog. Up until yesterday, I had heard from 4 of the 7 continents. Well, last night, someone logged on from South Africa, and tonight, someone from Chile. I'm not holding my breath for Antartica . . .

A world wide medium. This is soooooo cool.

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 7:26 PM 2 comments

some time away

I get to take a bit of a break for a change. My only time off this year has surrounded Dad's last days and his death. I usually take some vacation in the fall, and spend some time in the deer woods.

This week, though, I am traveling to Missouri to attend a Pastor's conference there. I was invited I think 3 years ago to attend one, and then attended again last year. Windemere is a beautiful camp, and I know several of the guys who will be there - we may even get in a round of golf. How civilized - I don't think I'm in danger of shooting the wrong kind of birdies. Then back to Enid for Wednesday night church, and then two days to Kansas for Advent planning. Yes, 6 of us will sit around the table and talk about what we intend to do with our messages in about 2 months. I'll bet we do more than that.

BTW - it's about time for my annual beard revival. Several years ago, I started shaving part of my beard (a Van Dyke) when Ash Wednesday rolled around. And then I grow it back starting on Rosh Hashana. In this way, I acknowledge both my Jewish and Catholic spiritual roots. Truth be known, it's actually about outdoor comfort more than anything else. I spend a lot of time outside during the winter, and a little more facial stubble helps when those cold, Oklahoma winds kick up.

Oh well, check out the sermon on the Cornerstone blog, and have a great Lord's day tomorrow.

Sojourning to other states - of mind and body . . .

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 6:51 PM 0 comments

Happy Birthday, Dad

You were looking forward to turning 80.

I am not missing you less - actually, I am starting to think of you even more fondly - if that is possible. Every day, I thank God for you - your influence in my life - my life itself. But I now live in a new world - a world that I never imagined. It is strange to me - everything is less familiar, and I feel alone . . .

The thing that haunts me most is that your looming presence is fading just a little more each day. Your features are fading - less clear and less distinct. And I am starting to forget the sound of your voice - full of love, hope, direction . . .

You were right - there's never enough days. Happy birthday. I love you.

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 7:58 AM 4 comments

The customer is always right?????

Are you like me - I am getting really tired of running into store owners or sales people who act as though they are doing me a huge favor my allowing me in their store, restaurant, place of business. I run across so many business people who obviously know their business, but have no idea how to treat customers. They act as though I am a complete idiot because I want to ask questions and otherwise be polite in general conversation.

A note to business people - we, your purchasing public - are not fools, and we are not a bother for you to dismiss. We are, most of us, intelligent, caring, compassionate people, and we chose your business because we thought you wanted customers. Do not treat us with condecension and disdain. We know that you have expertise, and we know that you get tired of your job and your work. But do not take it out on us - we purchase your products, which allows you to stay in business and keep eating. You like to eat, don't you . . .

There now - I feel better. A little rant never hurt nobody . . .

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 2:18 PM 3 comments

Separation of Church and State?????

I have been astounded lately at the number of folks that I encounter who are drawn into positions that they feel obligated to support by digging their hole deeper. Most of these recent discussions center around issues of separation of Church and State - usually associated with issues of "should a candidate be allowed to express his or her faith opinion" or "should the ten commandments be posted in our schools. Those are interesting questions, but I wonder if the specific of the question doesn't divert our attention from the crux of the matter - which is, of course, this - should the government determine which faiths are acceptable? - and this - should the government be able to coerce faith expressions?

Much smarter people than I have addressed these questions. I simply know enough to say that I consider myself a "free" Baptist, rather than a "reformed" Baptist - and that designation, on my part, filters over into the way that I think about issues surrounding separation of church and state.

I do recommend to you this article by Bill Moyers - actually a reprint of his recent address to the students at Union Seminary. He expresses many of those things I believe - and with much better clarity than I could express.

Good reading to you this day.

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 1:56 PM 2 comments

In my next life . . .

That's actually Mom's line - I've heard it all my life - usually when things were'nt going so well for her . . .

But I got to thinking this morning, as I was getting ready for work and was watching the Senate hearings on John Roberts. I would love to study law - there is something fascinating about the kind of questions they were asking, the way those guys think, etc. And that got me to thinking - what other careers might I embark upon if I had 10 other lives to live?

So, here's my list - not in any particular order. Almost sounds like a "what do you want to be when you grow up" list . . .

1. Doctor/surgeon - I am actually most fascinated by medicine
2. Rancher - I've done enough of this to know that I might enjoy it.
3. Outdoorsman - okay, that's what I am now . . .
4. Lawyer/Judge
5. Air Force pilot/ Airline pilot/ astronaut
6. Carpenter/Builder - okay, I do this, too.
7. Stock trader
8. Seminary/college professor
9. Writer
10. Chef/own a restaurant/bistro

I'd be interested in hearing your "Top 10." Share your list with us.

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 9:16 AM 3 comments

What a fish!!!!!

I don't know who these guys are, but I must be fishing in the wrong lake. We don't find 'em like that at Canton!!

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 4:05 PM 2 comments

doing a little more . . .

I was speaking with a friend this evening about plans I am making to help those who have been displaced by Katrina. I was hoping to solicit involvement from others in various projects over the coming year. My friend responded by saying, "There's plenty for us to do right here in our town."

He's right. We could all forget Katrina, and still have plenty to do. But the fact of the matter is that Katrina has devasted part of our nation, and we must respond. So, I said to my friend, "Yes, we have plenty to do here - and now we have some more to do there."

There are roughly 280 million of us in this country. Around 1 million have been displaced by this disaster. That means that the other 279 million of us are going to have to do a little more, for a little while. I don't know what that means for others - for me, it means that I will go and work, and I will try to get others to go and work with me. I will give money and do without something I thought I needed - and I will encourage others to do the same. It is going to take all of us - not just some of us - if we are to really help our sisters and brothers who have been affected by this disaster.

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 7:05 PM 0 comments

Goodbye, Gilligan . . .

Those of us who were adolescents during the 60's and 70's would like to ask the rest of you to pause for a moment while we remember our friend, Bob Denver - better known as Gilligan.

Denver passed away yesterday at the age of 70. But most of us who are now in our late 40's and 50's will remember him as the wacky shipmate on "The Minnow" that set out on a three hour tour, only to run ashore on a tropical island and provide us with years of entertainment.

I hope someday someone will do a psychological study of each of the seven characters who were marooned on that island - I suspect that each of them represented us in some significant way, and thus our attraction.

See you later, little Buddy!!

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 9:13 AM 2 comments

in the bosom . . .

My sister in law's mother passed away. Believe it or not, this isn't the first family funeral since Dad passed.

Rusty came through Enid and picked me up yesterday around noon, and we drove to Mom's house in Granbury. It used to be Mom and Dad's house. I suspect it will always seem strange to visit here. You know how some homes have so much of the touch of the woman that there is no room for the man - well, Mom and Dad shared a house. There was always a touch of Dad (and there still is) in their homes. And nothing overt - like my deer mount on the wall - nothing like that. There's just a sense of Dad all over the house.

Still, it is good to be in the bosom of the family. Mom and Rusty and Tracy and I had dinner out last night, and it was just fun. Rusty's witicisms, Tracy's snorts, Mom's feigned embarrassment - all made for a wonderful evening.

Today we will be with Tony and family. We haven't all been together since Dad passed. And now, it is for another funeral. It will be a small graveside - I am to do the service. So pray for me.

And pray for Laura today. How do you bury your mother? I don't know. Pray for their kids, Andrew, Kendall, and Garrett. Pray for Tony.

And still, it feels good to be in the bosom of family.

Sojourning on to Waco . . .

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 5:22 AM 2 comments

I have something to say . . .

. . .and it's actually on my sermon blog - I hope that you'll take the time to read it.

Tomorrow is a day of worship around our nation. I suspect most of the pastors will speak to this catastrophe. At least, I hope so. This deserves our attention. The difficulty in these kind of situations is responding with words that move things forward positively. I have my opinions regarding how things have been handled - from the pulpit, my opinions take a back seat. This is the time to hear words that encourage, motivate, sustain, and generally focus our attention toward - always toward resolution.

One of my favorite links is Monastic mumblings. I like the litany he put forth the other day - it has helped me to pray this week.

May God be praised in our worship tomorrow.

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 7:58 PM 1 comments

Questions . . .

Is it really true that we were able to get water to people in Indonesia on the second day after the Tsunami?

Would our "closed" Military bases house all of these people?

Well, enough of that . . . There are plenty of people out there asking the hard questions.

The only one I can think to ask this day is - "Why am I still in Enid, when people need?" The answer - "I'm not sure what I could actually do at this point."

I pray that changes in the next several days.

posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 11:37 AM 2 comments