Donny's Thinkin'

Ranch Rodeo

2009-03-19T07:51:00.001-07:00

Last weekend we had the opportunity to watch the Cotulla Ranch Rodeo as part of the LaSalle County Fair and Wild Hog Cook-Off. Let me start by saying this was my “first rodeo”. Well my first Ranch Rodeo anyway!
Having grown up around and participated in rodeos most of my younger life I understood that all the events were “skill” events that cowboys would use on the ranches as they did their daily or seasonal work. Well almost all of the events. I don’t think bull riding was ever in any of the “Ranch Hand Job Descriptions” booklets. Other were however heavily influenced by needed skills. Both bronc riding events showcased the cowboys ability to ride a green horse and “break it” into a semi-permissive state. It was hard to use the horse if it was not rideable.
Roping events demonstrated the cowboys ability to use a common tool of the trade; the rope. Cowboys, some more efficient than others, would have to rope calves to allow a ground crew to “throw” or “flank” the calf in order to brand, de-horn, castrate (cut) and vaccinate during those seasons. In everyday life “doctoring” would need to be done. It is hard to convince a calf to stand still while you stick a needle in him for various reasons. Larger animals would need to be caught by one cowboy around the head or horns (headin’) and another would have to rope the back legs (preferably both!) and stretch them out so a ground crew could do what was necessary; thus Team Roping events are held
Even Steer Wrestling or “doggin;’ was used by some to take a larger steer down to the ground and allow crews to do what was necessary. I suppose some over zealous cowboy in an effort to “do his job” missed with his rope and just jumped off his horse to “wrestle” the steer down and an event was born.
Horse handling events like Barrel racing, Pole Bending and the “Rings” were all used to showcase horsemanship and to show off a particular horse’s ability.
All of these events essentially became contest as cowboys all tried to out-do the other. The difference in a “normal” rodeo as you may have watched on TV or even at your local arenas is that all of these are essentially individual events. My time or score against yours. Truth is that “cowboying” is more often a “team” event. Several times I have mentioned ground crews. Those are the cowboys handling the branding irons, saws, vaccine syringes and knives; the purpose of the roping and throwing.
Ranch Rodeo takes this into account with events consisting of teams of four or five cowboys riding into a herd picking out an animal (steer or cow) and roping, throwing, tying, branding or milking for time. Add the South Texas flair of wild hogs and you have a very entertaining afternoon and the opportunity for lots of wrecks. Add to this team fans that are as vocal and supportive as any NFL, NBA or NASCAR event.
Needless to say you can imagine the fun we had laughing when an over competitive cowboy forgot how hard he was spurring a horse and the horse decide that wasn’t part of the plan and in the middle of controlled confusion a “bronc riding” broke out. Or, the mad mother cow who decided that everyone and everything in the world was her enemy but particularly picked out one horse to focus on; the cowboy on the horse was sure happy the cow was a “Mulley” – hornless. Or, the countless perfectly thrown loops a wild hog can run through.
Thank Ranch Rodeo teams for reminding me what it was all about and while not exactly the same bringing up memories of times past!

LaSall County Fair and Wild Hog Cook-Off

2009-03-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

The second weekend in March each year is the time set aside for the LaSalle County Fair and Wild Hog Cook-off. If you can imagine the normal county fair with its normal “fair/carnival” attractions, 4H or FFA livestock shows, arts and cooking contest you will have an idea of what this weekend was to this county. Well almost; you will need to triple what you have experienced. It was a fun packed, hard working weekend.
We started Thursday night with the official opening honoring Mrs. Brenda Talbert and her late husband Lane. It was a fitting ceremony. That was followed by many of the counties youngsters parading their pets for judging. These consisted of Basset Hounds dressed up as hotdogs to Border Collies who performed acts to a caged wild pig (baby) dressed in prison stripes. Then the Little Mr. and Mrs. Wild Hog were chosen along with the Fair’s Princess.
Friday I started my day judging the Middle School entries into the various food categories. That is harder than you would think! After eating so many “bites” of chocolate chip cookies or banana-nut bread everything starts tasting the same. But we prevailed! The evening was capped off with the “livestock” show. Chickens, Pigs, Goats and Cattle were all paraded, handled and shown with all the practice of a Mrs. America pageant (with as much college money involved) by youngsters from nine to sixteen years old. I said they were paraded and handled but I would have to admit the pig contest was just controlled confusion. If you have ever tried to “lead” a pig you will understand. You suggest and persuade a pig, you do not lead! Congratulations to all of the entrants who actually took care of by feeding and cleaning and “taming” their own animals! Many of you will know what I mean by that statement!
Saturday was our big day as we secured 35 cases of water to give out during the first “full” day of the fair. In years past the hot dry South Texas weather created a natural thirst and the “Cup of Cool Water” booth was a popular stop for fair-goers. However, this year it was cool and wet as we had rain most of the day. We only gave out 190 (plus or minus) bottles of water instead of the expected 1120. But we still had fun.
With the rain and mist keeping the air heavy the smoke from more than the two hundred “cookers” kept us hungry all day. It was fun to walk through the rows of teams vying for the “Grand Champion” feast of their particular category. What do you do with that much Smoked Hog, BBQ Ribs, special recipe Sausage and even some “exotic” dishes? YOU HAVE A HUGE ALL YOU CAN EAT TAIL GATE PARTY! Just walk up to a crew and say “What do you have?” and they will all proudly give you their special and immediately say it didn’t come out just right because of the rain, or the wind, or the barometric pressure or the . . . But it is generally pretty good.
Sunday morning of course was regular church services (although we had two baptisms this Sunday) and then off to the fair grounds for the “cowboy church” and the Ranch Rodeo.
I am sure you are just about tired of reading for now so I will post again on the Rodeo. To “whet your appetite” though I will use a phrase that I heard someone say. . . It was a hoot!

The Human Experience of Death

2009-02-19T06:31:00.001-08:00

We have just experienced a very hard event in our community. A little 4th grade, 10 year old boy passed away from an aneurism on his brain. Surgery was attempted to relieve the pressure and bleeding but it was either too late or the damage was so severe that it did not have the desired effect. Many now will be asking the question why!

I just read a statement on my Facebook page about a young child who had passed away and many were sending sympathies to the family members. I do not know if the recipients were direct (mother and father) or close relatives but again the question was why.

Why could God allow such a thing to happen to a small child with a whole life ahead of them? Especially when according to our standards there should be so many others that deserve such a fate. I sometimes find the answers we give are about as heartbreaking as the event itself.

I do not believe God needed another flower in heaven or any of the other superficial statements we as humans produce to either make ourselves feel better or defend God.. I do not believe that God would purposefully rip a mother’s heart in half by selfishly taking a child away by such a death. The fact is we live in a world where sin has separated us from perfection. The very creation we live in suffers from this fact. Paul says that it groans for the day. . . Because we are human we face sickness, illness, genetics that predispose us to certain health issues. That is the sad truth.

However it is in this very truth that we are able to find grace and peace in these events. It was into this world that Christ came and lived. It was in this body that He felt the pain and sting of death. He knew what it was to see a friend die, to hear of a cousin beheaded and probably (argument from lack of evidence) to know what it was like to bury a father. He stood at the bedsides of children who had dies and it is because of this that we can find His grace and peace in these events.

It hurts to be human sometimes but it is in this condition that we can understand what Christ has done and will do for each of us if we but accept His grace and peace in faith. There is no greater peace.

SAT Rodeo

2009-02-16T08:24:00.001-08:00

What a fun day we had this Saturday as Debbie and I were the guest of the Kinsel’s at the 2009 San Antonio Rodeo. It was strange that as I sat and watched the events I realized that it had been twenty-five or more years since I had been to Rodeo but I felt as if I was back in the early 80’s and twenty again. Well at least until I had to walk up and down the steps of the arena and my hip reminded me of my true age.
I had a great time. You will be able to find the pictures on my facebook page and soon they will be on our webshots page at http://community.webshots.com/user/DonDebProctor?vhost=community enjoy looking at them.

First Impressions?

2009-02-11T08:43:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I had to visit the dentist to have a broken tooth fixed. I hate going to the dentist! Not that I am afraid, nor have I ever been hurt by one but I just do not have great teeth. Going to the dentist is about like taking our old 1985 Toyota Tercell into the shop for a minor fix and the mechanic spending thirty minutes telling me what needed to be done.

After making the hour and half drive from Cotulla to San Antonio I arrived at the dental office and found a place to park my truck. As I was waling across the parking lot I crossed a man that was rather ragged and rough looking. He had shaggy hair, un-kept beard and was wearing greasy jeans with a dirty T-shirt and leather vest. He was standing on the sidewalk smoking a cigarette and drinking a coke.

We made casual eye contact and the polite nod as I passed him. I am somewhat ashamed to say that this person and I would probably not be having lunch together and would be a much rougher and tougher person than I would normally hang around.

As I checked in I was informed that I needed to up-date my personal information and was given a clip board with four sheets of questions. This was my second visit to this dentist and we had just completed all of these papers in our first. However, I was told that the date on those papers were 2008 and they needed a new year update.

I found a seat in the crowded waiting room next to an elderly gentleman in a wheelchair. He was obviously unable to care for himself and just sit and stared into space. I spoke as I sat down and he did not respond.

I started filling out the papers with my name, address, phone numbers, email, and other vital information that they would need and out of the corner of my eye I noticed the man from outside was walking toward me. With blanket in hand he addressed the old man and wrapped him gently in the blanket with the words, “are you warmer now daddy.” I do not believe I have ever heard such compassion in a voice as when this man spoke to his father.

We never know. Forgive me for my judgment!

Riding the Rapids Backwards

2009-02-09T09:21:00.001-08:00

Sometimes you just have to go with the flow. The last place Debbie and I lived was a small town called Brookneal, Virginia. The Staunton River flowed through it. For many who may look on a map yours may say the Roanoke River but actually there is a small stretch that is properly named the Staunton. It was named after a protection force that covered a stretch of the river protecting the settlers from Indians. It is a beautiful scenic part of the river where the water flows at a fast clip. People will usually put their canoes or kayaks in at Long Island, Virginia and float down to Brookneal. There is one day a year when the whole area seems to come out and have one big “Fun Float Day.”

I had the opportunity several times to take a kayak down the river with people who were experts and kept me out of trouble in the rapids and shoots. I found that it wasn’t too difficult most of the time if you simply paid attention and used a little common sense. However, Debbie and I wanted to join in on the fun and decided to borrow a canoe and go with another family down the beautiful stretch of God’s creation. We didn’t seem to be having any problem until we got to the first major rapid. I stayed back and let David and Cindy show us the line to take. I found that “driving” a canoe with two people was different than maneuvering a solo kayak and we found ourselves sideways against a rock with all the force of the rive trying to move us and the rock. Everything I tried seem to tip us over just a bit farther. If it had been just me I would not have been worried but Debbie is a survival swimmer (just good enough to save herself if she is in trouble) and I was afraid that if she went into the fast running water she would panic.

Realizing that everything I tried was getting us into more trouble I decided that we needed to let the water carry us around the rock, even though it was be backwards, and try to save the situation later. We both pulled up oars and I gave a little push to move the center of the canoe off the rock and the water took over. Needless to say there was no opportunity to “right” ourselves and we somehow shot the whole rapid backwards. Luckily there are no fronts and backs on most canoes so it did not know the difference.

We arrived at the end of the rapid dry and upright. I was laughing, Debbie was big eyed and David and Cindy were amazed. To make a wonderful long story bearable and short we ended up doing this in every rapid but one which says a lot about my ability to drive a canoe.

Sometimes you just have to let go and flow with the river. I have found this to be the case in my spiritual life as well. Sometimes God works so powerful and out of the ordinary that my own attempt to maneuver the rapid is futile. I find myself against rocks and doing everything I can just to stay upright. It is in those times that I just lift my paddle and “let go and let God.”

Most of the time I do not like loosing control of my life, but there are those times that God reminds me that ultimately I am not in control, and it is in those times that I ride the river backwards and feel most free.

Remembering Winter

2009-02-06T14:11:00.000-08:00

It is February and the temperature today is supposed to be in the high 70’s. In fact it is supposed to be in the 80’s soon. Nights are now in the 60’s. In fact in the next two weeks I will be planting our tomatoes and peppers. It just doesn’t seem real.

For the last 25 years I experienced real winters. I grew up experiencing real winters. Temperatures reached down in the teens. Ground frozen and the smell of wood burning fireplaces are common experiences during this season. When you step outside there is a sharp sensation that hits you in the face and you fell the snap of cold on your ears. The feel of the fresh cold sheets as they warmed to your body and then the slightest movement was enough to find a cool place under the covers.

The bleakness is only made acceptable by the beautiful colors of autumn that have preceded this lifeless season and the pure driven snow as it turn the world a pristine white in the day and a pale blue under the moonlight. The physical work of getting up earlier than everyone else in order to “stoke” the fire place so the rest will wake in warmth was enjoyable.

The promise of color and life coming soon make this a beautiful part of the year. The contrast of everything mentioned made the spring and summer months more dramatic. I miss those experiences.

Oh I enjoy the fact that short sleeves are the uniform of the day. The early mornings generally in the 50’s (there have been a few in the low 30’s) are just enough to bring chill bumps on your arms before the sun starts warming the land. I enjoy the colors that some of the plants put on during our winter months. I have enjoyed the fact that my garden has flourished with its spinach, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, onions, brussel-sprouts and garlic. But the longing for spring is just not here. I guess in years to come the longing of the cooler winter (compared to the blazing summer) will hold its relief but for now I miss the winter.

For my friends that read this and you walk outside and shiver while thinking how wonderful it would be to live in a constant 70 – 80 degree climate. Stop, smell and feel the wonders of where you are. Enjoy it and remember us!

Perfection

2009-02-04T11:15:00.001-08:00

Wow, it is really easy to get behind in writing my blog and this is not a simple attempt to catch up but is an actual short thought that I have had recently. It deals with the freedom to act without “permission”.

I was brought up with the idea that if it needed to be done and you knew it you were the one that was see that it was accomplished. If you went by a fence that was broken you fixed it. If you grabbed a harness that was dry you oiled it. If a light bulb was out when you flipped the switch you replaced it. If you did wrong and it was brought to your attention you corrected it. It was simple life. It was done and you did not need to worry about that item anymore. You did not have to wait around for permission or an order to get it done.

I carried this philosophy with me through my military years and it seems to have worked. When I was promoted to Spec. 4 they pinned Sgt. E-5 stripes on my shoulder. They called it an “Acting Jack”. My squad was always top in our company in everything from room inspections to field performance. Each man knew his job but was always looking to see what else could be done.

I found that when a vehicle is moving it is much easier to steer and direct. Try turning your steering wheel when you car is still! It is the same with people and organizations. The problem with this is that sometimes there will be mistakes made. Things do not get double and triple checked and find that they are late in getting done. But when the day is over more progress has been made.

I will admit there are times when perfection is needed. When the surgeon is cutting on me I want him/her to be absolutely sure that it is the correct hip he is replacing. When our astronauts are being hurtled into space I am sure they are thankful that there are those that figure and refigure the exact speed and trajectory they are being shot into. The examples could go on and on with good reason.

However, in general we do not live our lives with these margins or the need to be so precise. In fact such restriction usually slows progress and frightens people into inactivity.

Louis Pasteur said “Chance favors the prepared mind.” My words then would be to prepare the best you can, act and do not be afraid less than perfection. You will find that you will be ahead in the end.

History?

2009-01-21T14:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we witnessed a very special day. Not just because we elected a Democrat into the Whitehouse, not because we elected the first African American to be our Commander-in-Chief. It was special day because we are one of the few countries who peacefully elect, through a democratic process, someone who will be our President for the next four years. I know there are all the special things about January 20, 2009 and I agree they are historic, but I am still impressed with the process.

However, yesterday I watched a woman in her 90’s sit on a towel in our nations Mall. Tears rolled down this woman’s face. Were they tears of joy for what she had hoped and prayed for? Were they tears of sadness because her loved ones could not be there to see what was happening? As I thought about this woman I thought that there may be some, few if any, who would now be able to say they knew someone who had at one time been a slave and was now watching an African American taking the oath of office. What else had this woman’s eyes seen in her journey on this world?

As I thought about that I begin to wonder what it was that I would someday be able to say I had seen. I am not old enough to have known anyone who was a slave, even someone simply born the day before slavery was abolished. I cannot say I saw the day women received the right to vote, or that African-American joined in that privileged group. I cannot say that I lived through the Great Depression (although I may be close now) nor through “the War”. Nor can. . . well you get the picture.

But as I thought longer I begin to realize that when I have grand-children I will be able to say that I saw some things. Here are just a few things that have happened in my life time not in any particular order:

□ The assassination of a President
□ The assassination of a Presidential candidate
□ The Civil-Rights movement
□ Desegregation
□ Man walking on the moon
□ Man living in space
□ The ability to stand in an open field in Texas and call my sons in California and Virginia
□ The death of two Popes
□ The destruction of the wall of separation between the east and west in Germany
□ The ability to place large amounts of information in very small places
□ The ability to draw information almost instantly from places very far off.
□ Three major wars
□ Now the election of a young African-American to the presidency.

I am sure with some thought there could be many more. It seems that my lifetime has been the witness to more changes, big and small, than any other generation. But which ones will “Define” the years in which I lived. Which one is more important to the history of mankind?

As excited as I am about our future with the happenings of this week I am not sure which will be the most important. Could it be that if looked at in a proper chronological order they are all somewhat dependent on each other?

I don’t have that answer. I am just thinking. What do you think?

The "Soul Winner"

2009-01-13T09:25:00.000-08:00

What do you think of when you hear the term “Soul Winner?” Is it a particular person that you have known in the past, or currently know that is a role model for your expression of faith? Is it a picture of someone who is persistent, sometimes to the point of aggravation? Is it that person who knocks on your door on Saturday morning with tracts from their special publisher and an attempt to draw you to their particular faith? Or, is it that person who
I am afraid that when I think of “Soul Winner” all of these seem to pop into my mind. Some of them are cherished and some of them are not. But the truth is Proverbs tells us that “He who wins souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30 NIV) and John tells us that his joy was made complete by the telling of the Gospel story. Why is it that we have so few “Soul Winners” in the church today.
Have we become so industrialized and unionized that we have left it to another group of people? That is what evangelist and preachers are called for. I knew a welder who took two days to weld a two inch bead to support a stair case because he was not allowed to complete the job with a light bulb out in the room and he was not allowed to change the bulb because of “union rules”. He had to wait for a certified electrician to replace the bulb.
Are we worried that we will say the wrong thing. I had a lady tell me one time that she did not remember the “Roman Road”. If you do not know this was an evangelistic tool to lead people “Biblically” to recognition of man’s (their) sinfulness and God’s grace in salvation. If that was truly her concern the Roman Road consist of five or six verses (depending on which version you use) and she could have easily re-memorized the path.
What if we mess the prayer up at the end? Do you remember the EXACT words you prayed? I don’t I was to emotional at that moment. But, I do know that I prayed something like I realized I was a sinner and needed God to come into my life. Truth is I was saved and so were you BEFORE you prayed the prayer! To this day I do not have a formula I use when leading someone in the “Prayer of Salvation”. Maybe we should call it the “Prayer after Salvation”.
When we read the book of Acts we see a group of people who did not have the advantage of the “Roman Road”, “Evangelism Explosion”, “Market Place Evangelism”, ‘F.A.I.T.H.” or any of the other hundreds of methods on the market today. They didn’t even have simple tracts.
How did they then spread the Word so effectively? They were all on fire because of their story, their experience. I still believe to this day this is the absolute best form of evangelism. If you are saved, If you have experienced the grace of a loving God in your attempts to save yourself you have a story! The only one that can keep you from telling it is YOU! Go tell the world! Be a Soul Winner.

7th Christmas Thought

2008-12-18T06:28:00.001-08:00

This is the last of the “Christmas Thoughts” or at least that series. I am sure there will be at least one more on Christmas. It is such an important time in our faith, but it is also probably the busiest time in our “Church Calendar” and with God’s help and another cup of coffee we will make it through this one too!

“But Mary treasured up these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19 NIV) Imagine, the mother of Jesus, the one visited by the angel and told that she would carry the very child of the Most High God, pondered on the events. The mother of Jesus had just been witness to a wonderful visitation. Shepherds, lowly shepherds, came and told her that angels had heralded the very birth of her child. Choruses from heaven sang to the world that a Savior had been born and that was truly Good News to all men. She had already been told she would name Him Jesus, because this baby who was at that time wrapped in swaddling clothes, would save His people from their sin. Scripture says “She pondered.”

We could understand if she jumped up and down with joy, or if she immediately started doing the “motherly” thing and planning out how he would accomplish this overwhelming task, but the story tells us “she pondered.”

When one “ponders” they consider or examine attentively. They meditate, mull over, muse, revolve, roll, ruminate or turn over a thought or idea. There is deliberate action in pondering.

Has Christmas lost this attitude? In the midst of all that is to be done for family, friends and yes even church, have we lost what Mary found at that moment when all became validated? I hope not and I pray that during this Christmas season you find the time to ponder. Take a look into the cradle of a nativity scene and think about what you see.

Innocence! Not just the innocence of a new born baby, but of a God who knew no sin. Innocence! In just a few short years this innocence would be wracked with the pain of being made sin; becoming my sin and yours so that we might experience fully the love of our Righteous Father.

Let us never forget that we celebrate the “Good News”, the Gospel of God during this season. May our joy be made complete in understanding that this baby boy whom Mary holds was born for one reason; the cross! May that realization bring to each of us a new devotion and a deeper dedication to what God has called us to be and do.

So from all the support staff at “donny’sthinkin” (me and Debbie) we wish you a Very Merry Christmas and may the peace of the advent and the call that comes with find a place in your heart.

6th Christmas Thought

2008-12-15T08:23:00.000-08:00

Unlike Zechariah, whom the last thought was written about, this person lived his life believing that God had something special for him to do. Day in and day out Simeon lived a life of faith anticipating what the Lord was going to do for him before he died.

Christmas for Simeon brought the fulfillment of a promise. A promise that God had made to him years ago that he would see the “Lord’s Christ” before he died. As Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple after the time of their ritual purification Simeon recognized the fulfilled promise and held the Christ child and received his blessing.

Simeon is not usually one of the “heroes” of the Christmas story. His character is introduced somewhat after the birth and only Luke sees the need to tell this story while not mentioning the Magi of Matthew. But it is with Simeon (and Anna) that we get the validation from the religious community of that day. Without a mistake this was the awaited messiah.

Simeon’s joy had been made complete. His life long dream to see the long awaited “Consolation of Israel” was now reality. How we can only hope that at the end of our days we will be filled with such completion and such joy. But in order for that to happen we have to have been “awaiting” something special. What is it in your life that you believe that God will reveal? What is it that you are waiting for?

5th Christmas Thought

2008-12-12T07:46:00.000-08:00

In these “Christmas Thoughts” I am trying to take the characters of the Christmas story and find something of value in their part to our lives today. This has not been a difficult task. Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, has been the easiest to parallel to many of our lives today.

Zechariah along with Elizabeth, his wife, had prayed for many years that God would bless them with a child. He was a member of the “Priestly” party and had duties at the Temple during various seasons of the year. It is clear to see that he was a “religious” man and played his daily part.

The problem is that they had been praying so long for a child that they had simply fallen into the trap of going through the motions while believing that God was not going to answer their prayers. This is evident with his disbelief when the angel told him that Elizabeth was going to have a child.

It becomes easy for believers to fall into the same trap; to pray without belief. To go through the motions because that is what we are supposed to do. In too many pews around the world, believers have allowed their faith to be summed up by their religious activities and routines. Prayers, long spoken, have become empty and repetitious. Songs are sung with feeling or attention to the meanings. Activities are performed with heart. This leaves us living the life a child of God by simply going through the motions.

This does not say anything about our status as God’s children; just our effectiveness. This story has a wonderful ending however. Zechariah and Elizabeth’s prayers are answered in a mighty way. Not only would they have a child, their son would be the very person who would herald the ripe time of the Lord.

I believe that we all would like to have the faith and energy the end of this story exemplifies and not the stale routine of the beginning. We can regain this energy by looking honestly into the manger this Christmas season. May we see more than a baby that we celebrate a birthday with; an excuse to cook, buy and party. May we see the Christ child who is the hope of the world; the one who will can bring peace on earth!

4th Christmas Thought

2008-12-10T12:39:00.001-08:00

What credentials did the shepherds bring to the big event? Why would God make the announcement of His becoming human to a bunch of lowly men watching a bunch of sheep?

Have you ever considered the life of a shepherd? Barring any animal attacks, sudden thunderstorms or thieves trying to get away with a few of your animals there life was probably not real exciting. You found a good place for them to graze and then when time came you walked to the “watering hole” and they drank. After that you found the place where they could bed down in some safety. Life was probably not real exciting on a daily basis.

I am sure they had plenty of time on their hands too. I cannot imagine the community leaders being real interested in finding a shepherd to tell important news too, unless maybe the price of mutton had gone up.

I am sure that most of the good shepherds were excellent protectors of their flocks; brave and strong when it came to marauding animals or thieves. But I cannot see most shepherds as being great public speakers, announcers of news that would change the known world, wrinkle the very fabric in which existence was made.

But there they were, maybe chewing on a straw watching the flock settled down on a plateau or grassy plain. They might have been telling stories of the day’s excitement around the evening campfire. Some might have even been thinking about the family that was not present but waiting for Dad or brother to come home.

Then there it was. A sound that was not normal. I am sure they jumped to their feet and started scanning the horizon just over their flock’s backs. Excitement began to grow as they tried to figure out where this amazing sound was coming from. Then as sudden as it appeared the sound began to take on familiarity; the sound of words. Words that were being spoken, no sang, to music and it was not coming from anywhere close but from above. The heavens were singing. Listen to the song. Did you understand it. It was something about Good News, a savior being born right over the mountain there in Bethlehem.

God used these keepers of the flock to become heralds of the most important event in history. I wonder if God learned his lesson with giving such an important mission to the untrained, ill-born, common folks of that day.

I don’t think so. He still uses me and you to deliver that message. Maybe you have not been trained. . . so what. Maybe you were not born to the noble class. . . even better. Maybe you have trouble speaking to a group of people. . . go after one at a time.

Truth is we like the shepherds, who went to everyone they knew and told them what they had witnessed and heard, have the same mission. The fact that you are an ordinary person does not hinder you. In fact, it elevates God’s ability to bless those around.

Have a great VOCAL Christmas this year as you tell someone of all you have witnessed!

3rd Christmas Thought

2008-12-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

You have got to be kidding? I can imagine that behind the question “How can this be?” we could hear several different emotions.

1) It is not physically possible? I have not yet “known a man!” How can God do this? Girls talk to each other. I know what is necessary for me to carry a child and it has not happened! I can’t believe this. (Do I hear the music to the “Twilight Zone?”)

2) Who in the world will believe this? I am supposed to tell everyone I know that I am having God’s baby? Sure I am going to be married to Joseph, but I am not yet and believe me people can count! The numbers will not add up! I will be the laughing stock and brunt of all the whispers in Nazareth! (I hope the hospital ward will have soft sheets and pink straight jackets)

3) Oh well, I can handle that but what will Joseph think? I love him and want to be married to him and have a family with him. He will make such a great father. How can he believe the child I will carry will be the blessing of God and that I have not been unfaithful to him? He will have every right to publicly humiliate me and put me aside and I will be one of the homeless in our town. (I never did think the Bethlehem Highway overpass looked inviting and homelike)

4) Why me? Who am I that the Holy One of Israel would choose me to do this thing. I am just a meager child. Yes, I have done my best to keep myself pure and I try to obey all the commandments of Moses but so do many of my friends. There are people much more deserving than me. Would it not be better if God chose one of King Herod’s daughters? Surely they would be able to provide all the pomp that the Lord of Host would need. (I have never even won a raffle or door prize at the school parties)

Anyone of these are believable and we would not fault Mary if she were here today and confessed to having all four. But that is the part of the story that we can so easily understand because we have given those excuses many times to deflect the call of God on our lives. But that is not the end of the story. Mary’s final word was “(deciding in her heart) Here I am, the Lord’s humble servant. As you have said, let it be done to me.” (Luke 1:38 The Voice) To paraphrase we might say that Mary looked at the angel with eyes of great determination and resolve and said “bring it on, lets do this thing!”

We admire the faith of the founding fathers, the leadership and myopic vision of a Moses, the military prowess of a David and the dedication of a Daniel. But let us not forget the calm resolve of a Mary who faced the greatest miracle of them all. God becoming man and the part that God wanted her to play in it.

2nd Christmas Thought

2008-12-04T07:55:00.000-08:00

It was in God’s time! Elizabeth must have thought that God has stopped hearing her prayers for a child. It was an important matter in “Days of Old” just as it is today to many families desiring children. To have a child signified a blessing of God but Elizabeth was barren. But God had His own timing and Mary was granted not only a child, but the child! The very one that would herald the coming of God Himself.

The story is found in its fullest in Luke chapter 1. It is filled with all sorts of miracles. A message from an angel, the loss of Zechariah’s voice, the special naming of the child the exclamation of Elizabeth and Mary’s song are all folded up into one brief chapter.

How many times would Elizabeth simply settled for a child, any child as long as she could hold her head in pride that God had blessed her womb. Little did she know that God had a special calling for the baby in whom she would give birth.

Do we ever try to rush God. It must be done now and in this way or evidently God is not blessing us. We know what we “need” and we “need” it now but God could have another plan; a plan that will bring us so much more blessing.

We can learn from Elizabeth in everyday life. We can, we should pray that God will bless us. But when that blessing does not come in the way we expected, or in our timing we should give up on God. God’s timing is perfect.

As with Elizabeth’s blessing, ours can be too: “Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, ‘what then is this child going to be?’ for the Lord’s hand was with him” Luke 1:66

Climbs and Recoveries

2008-12-03T12:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday afternoon was the only time Debbie and I had to do some Christmas shopping for all the events that were coming up. At 5:00 pm we headed for San Antonio which is about an hour and half away. (See we do live in the boonies now!) We were careful to hit all the stores in order of their closing times and found ourselves leaving Wal-Mart at 12:30 am. It was late but 98% of all our shopping for presents and food for the holidays was done. So with a huge exhale we headed down Interstate 35 to Cotulla.

By the time we got home and had everything put away it was around 2:00 am. After getting clothes out for the coming day and getting settled in I can remember seeing 2:53 shining on the ceiling of our room. It really does not seem like long ago I could do that night after night and not be affected much. Not any more! Four hours of sleep, which was actually an hour longer than usual, was just not enough to recover.

I have noticed the same thing on bike rides. You can have equal distance in climbs and descents and the downhill just isn’t long enough to recover from the energy expended getting up the hill. I used to look forward to the crest of the hill knowing that soon I would be able to recover from the effort in the climb. Now at my age and physical abilities I don’t recover fast enough to get that excited about the top anymore. It is the end that I smile at now.

You know, actually I do enjoy the climb. Both on a bike and in life the climb is an accomplishment. Yet, after last night’s climb and the short recovery I am now looking forward to finishing today and coming out of my responsibilities and crashing!

I am sure you can find some eschatological/spiritual value in this real life parable. But I am too tired to explain it!

1st Christmas Thought

2008-12-01T11:07:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is over; we are fatter than we were last week. What else do we need. I know; the exercise of the Christmas season. Yep, it is right around the corner. The Christmas programs are scheduled. The choir is warming up. The decorations are out and being put in their places. We soon will be facing holiday traffic and parking nightmares at the malls. The fear of having left someone off the gift list will become real again. We will check and double check that we have not done more for one than another. Whew! I already feel lighter.

But this is really what Christmas is NOT about. It is about peace, security and the presence of our God with us and like other holidays we all understand that we should have these feelings and devotions all year long. But we don’t! So the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas day helps us to remember.

Between now and Christmas I want to look at seven people in the bible that will help us to have that Christmas attitude (no, not the one that you have when someone zips in front of you to steal that parking place) all year long. Jesus is not simply the “reason for the season”, He is the “reason beyond the season”.

Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet, had grown up during the reign of Uzziah. This Jewish king had been renowned for his efforts of religious reform and his own personal devotion. This example impacted and a nation and the life of the young prophet. His death cast a long shadow over the nation and all that was righteous began to spiral down.

The young prophet began to look deeper for God’s working in his nation and God honored that devotion with the picture of His majesty and care for the world. In chapter nine Isaiah is given a word of hope and security. “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. . .” (Is 9:6-7)

It was this message that transformed the young prophet with a message of hope for God’s people. Isaiah witnessed many terrible things that future kings would do and his own people stepping farther and farther from God. But this message was taken to heart and Isaiah never forgot that ultimately God is in control and has worked in the past, is working now and will continue to work in the future. That is the message of Christmas.

Many across our nation and world today face each day with little hope. They fail to see God working or believe that because things are not like they want them then God must have stepped back and no longer cares for them. I do not believe that everything that happens is “caused” by God or is even in His perfect will. But this I do believe that God cares and everything can in some way be worked for good.

To Isaiah the message was a child would be born. . . To us today the message is that a Child has been born. It has already happened. God has and is dwelling with us now during this beautiful season of Christmas and in the Dog Days of August. We must simply believe enough to look!

Worship "Quick-Time"

2008-11-25T11:04:00.001-08:00

We enjoy our conveniences; they speed things up. Imagine how much time you save each morning with your automatic coffee maker, blow dryers and Toaster Studdels. How did the world survive without drive through hamburger joints? Communication is now so much faster with texting taking the place of emails which took the place of typed letters and so on. While I am writing this with “tongue in cheek” I do appreciate those things that do help up save time and make our lives more efficient.

However I do not think some things were meant to be stream lined. There are those things that need to be given attention. Talks with those you love, that lingering look at the sunset just cannot be shortened and still be effective.

Recently I was driving to Fort Worth and a church caught my attention. It wasn’t the architecture which was unusual but a gigantic banner that hung across the front that made me wonder if it was speaking to me. The banner read:

30 MINUTE WORSHIP SESSIONS

If we who call ourselves “people of God”, “followers of Christ”, “devoted Christians” cannot find in our weeks more than thirty-minutes to put all things aside and worship the God who created and loved us enough to give Himself for our eternal salvation then something in our “devotion” must be wrong.

I know how I felt when I saw the banner. I wonder how God felt when it was hung or how he feels each time people enter into His house with just thirty-minutes to give.

I know, nowhere does it say how long worship should be. But, still, it just hits me wrong!

Important Stuff

2008-11-17T13:08:00.001-08:00

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to represent First Baptist Church Cotulla as a messenger to the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting in Fort Worth. This was about an 8 hour drive from Cotulla. After the meeting I was able to visit with my mother, step-father, brother and niece for a night. Wednesday morning found me making the long drive back to South Texas.

One of the great things about long rides alone is that you have a lot of time to sing with the radio or think. I usually think, although I do enjoy singing, but thinking seems to be more productive. I got to thinking about all the people I reconnected with at the convention and the fact that we are now the “older” guys of the religious “establishment”. I thought about the things (however few or eternally important) I had accomplished in my career. Ultimately I felt that most of those were not as important as I thought they were while working to accomplish them. I have come to believe that when all is said and done I desire to know that I have the respect and love of

My Parents
My Wife
My Sons

To know that when we are together and are walking in public they walk with some pride because they are beside me; that is most important! Ultimately I believe at some point in life this becomes the most important thing to us all; Parents, spouse and children.

If that is the case then let me give my part.

Mom. . . I can never repay what you have given for me. I can only start to understand the sacrifice you made for us in the “days” you had to bring up two young hard-headed boys. Thank you

Debbie. . . Never could I have asked for a better partner in this life! It has not been easy and you have made my mistakes look good. We raised two great boys and I am not sure we could ask to do more!

Landall and Shawn. . . Dirt and Water, Dark and Light, Sun and Moon. . . as opposite as two could be but both vital to my existence and identification. You do not yet know what you have meant to me. You both have found what it means to chase a dream even if that dream cost. I am proud of you both!

I cannot say that if you did not make the list you are un-important to me. . .but ultimately these are the smiles and nods of approval I desire!

Skeeters

2008-11-06T11:46:00.000-08:00

In August this year I experienced an phenomenon that I had never before. When we moved to South Texas (Cotulla) I noticed one evening that there were no “skeeters” (to some you would say “skeetas”). In every place I have ever lived I have had to deal with the little blood sucking, buzzing in your ear pest. They have always seemed to be very attracted to me and can find me in a large crowd. But I begin to notice there didn’t seem to be any around here. I was told that it was due to the dry climate.

The funny thing was that when we moved here they received almost a solid two weeks of rain. Dry? Well maybe it was a relative statement. It was not long that I began to understand their meaning of dry. It really got dry and it stayed hot! But, there were still not skeeters. I was liking this.

Now that Fall has fully come in South Texas (the daily temperatures are all the way down to high 80’s now) it is still dry but cooler and guess what? Skeeters! These are not the “carry your cow off” size that we had in the panhandle but they are the size of gnats and they are so fast you can’t swat them, but they can bite you. Not only do they bite but they leave these huge itchy bumps. Between your fingers, on your elbows even the soft spot behind your ear. They can get you!

Once again I have tubes of Cortisone everywhere and convinced that to taxes and death we should include SKEETERS.

My Boys

2008-11-03T12:04:00.000-08:00

Things happen sometime that either remind you just how much your life stinks or just how fortunate you are. Funny thing is that sometimes both can happen with a few minutes of each other. However, on this day I have been reminded several times of just how fortunate I was (I will not speak for Debbie but I am sure she will agree) with my two sons.

I have probably written five different “blogs” to simply say this. Landall, Shawn your Dad is proud of you. Both of you have faced different situations and have proven that your are fighters. I have all the faith that both of you have “what it takes” and will find your place.

I love you!

Hills and Winds

2008-09-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

The hills that I used to ride my bicycle over “back east” were sometimes pretty tough. However, with those hills there was always a top to focus on. Even if you could not see it because it was around a curve you knew that it was there; an end to the pain and screaming in the legs. One thing you had to learn though was sometimes what you thought was the top was actually just short of it and if you let up you could loose momentum that you needed. The answer to that was to “ride over the top”. You needed to keep pedaling, no matter how relieved you were that you had made it to the top, until you were changing gears indicating that you were truly on the level or maybe even descending. The point of all of this is that no matter how tough the hill was you knew that somewhere fairly close there was some relief.

A couple of days ago I went for a fairly long ride that went straight up Interstate 35 North on the access rode. I was planning on riding about 20 miles or so and then start looking for a turn around to head back to Cotulla on the other side of the interstate. The big issue was there was a wind coming out of the North at about 20 – 25 miles an hour. It was constant and unforgiving and the more I squinted to see I could find no relief in the long straight road ahead of me. Finally at about the spot that I had planned to make my turn around I began to see the rise of an overpass that indicated my chance to turn around and get that wind in my back. IT WAS NICE!

I have found that life is like both of these rides at times. There seems to be times that the terrain of our everyday life is short tough hills. We expend a lot of physical, mental and spiritual energy but we are usually able to see an end and therefore buckle down and ride to the top where we find some relief and peace. Then there are those times when we simply face a heavy head wind that seems unending and relentless. The harder we look the less we seem to see an end to the effort we are expending just to survive. It seems like all we can do is put our head down and keep our path as straight as possible.

I am not exempt from either ride and neither are you but we one who goes along with us. In fact His word promises that he will never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV). In fact it is often those hills and rides in the wind that make the other times so wonderful and those small hills or slight winds so much easier to handle.

Thank you Lord for your guidance and presence when life’s ride starts becoming a challenge. Give me the strength to keep peddling through those times. I will give you all the praise and glory.

Moths and Mouths

2008-09-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

Her head jerked back with this awful contorted look on her face. I almost immediately knew what was happening. “Got a Bug? I casually asked.” All she could do was spit and cough and make this really weird sound from deep in her throat. Evidently, not only did she get a bug in her mouth, it must have been timed perfectly with a big inhale. It was deep; it was going to take some patience to get through this. I just hoped she didn’t fall off her bicycle as she was spitting and sputtering with her eyes closed, mouth open and tongue clawing deep to get rid of the intruder.

It was Debbie’s third ride on her new bicycle. I had decided to take a longer circuit on this day and she was doing great. A few remarks about her legs hating her at this moment, and an occasional big breath, but all in all she was stomping on her pedals like an ol’ pro. This is new territory for us and the road we were on was really rough which made it a little more difficult and the butterflies (I think they are from the “army caterpillars”) were really thick. I had made a mental note to try to breath with my mouth shut but did not say anything to Debbie. She had just remarked about how good she was doing considering we were probably about ten miles farther than she had ever ridden before. Just as she completed the sentence the she breathed in and the show started.

At first I thought it was just going to be a cough and spit and clearing of the throat and all would be OK. Who has not eaten a bug on a run or ride before. But this one was not just eaten; it was going to be digested. I almost looked on helplessly as she stayed upright on the bike and found her breath.

Sometimes life is like that. We are riding along, extending our prior records, feeling pretty good about how good we are doing and all of the sudden our eyes close and we spit and sputter as a bug of life just found its way into our balanced existence. The people around us will have various responses. Some will be amused at our reactions, others will want to help but realize they cannot. One thing we can be sure of in these moments we do have a help in God who is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Just like Debbie’s situation, while it could have been bad she was soon over it and looking back on the experience. With the bad taste and just the thought of eating a butterfly she found her stroke again and rode toward her destination. May we have such strength with our “bugs’ in life.

Flypaper

2008-09-09T11:54:00.000-07:00

One thing I had forgotten about since we left Texas in 1985 was the "Fly Strips" that used to hang everywhere. I have not seen one since that time. The other day we were in the store and I was looking for the "once-and-for-all" Fire Ant killer and came across a box full of the strips. It immediately took me back to my childhood and the Cotton Gin that took up much of my youth. There in one corner, just behind one of the domino chairs hung a yellow strip of sticky (I would assume sweet)material that baited flies to land and get stuck and never again tickle the nose hairs of the napping farmers in the gin office.

I remember always being amazed that the strips would last until there was no more room on them. Flies are pretty stupid I guess. Couldn't they see that their brothers and cousins, their mothers and fathers, their sisters, aunts and uncles were all stuck and couldn't free themselves. Wasn't there some kind of Fly Strip warning signal. Evidently the sweet allure of the bait was to much to ignore and every fly that was stuck, buzzing and flapping wings in effort to free themselves were the very ones that would "get away with it". Sound familiar?

Maybe humans and flies have some things in common. How many times do we get caught in the sin trap. Maybe we just look at the sweet bait and ignore the glue (they always go together). Why don't those who are stuck already warn us (they probably do in action if not in words). Could it be that some of them love the company so no warning is given? Could it be that some are still so enticed by the sweet bait that they have yet to recognize they are stuck in sin?

Where is the "Fly Paper" in your life? Before you answer too quickly remember one of the characteristics of the paper may be the rejection of its danger. The truth is you cannot free yourself. Go ahead and try. . . pull and flap your wings all you want but you will find you need help. That is where Christ comes in. I John tells us that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9 NIV) The only way off the strip is to be pulled off and only Christ can do that!

Leaving and Coming

2008-08-28T03:38:00.000-07:00

It was interesting to realize, as we drove from Virginia to Texas, the point at which I felt I was no longer leaving Virginia but coming to Texas. There was a difference. As long as I was leaving there was a sad and mournful part of me that needed acknowledgement. Every mile was accomplished only by looking back; if not actually then in memory.

I felt that once we mounted the truck and pulled out of the yard headed west we would be going home but I never thought leaving would be such an issue. But after 28 years it was more difficult than that. Sure it was a relief to have all the boxes packed and loaded; that was complete. Yes, it was satisfying to look back and think of all the wonderful friends we had made; they would not be forgotten. Certainly there was some pride in knowing that some of the things that I had tried to do were successful and touched people for Christ; those through God’s power would last. But there was a piece of our hearts that was being left. South Hill, Hopewell, Richmond and Brookneal would always own a part of us that we could not reclaim; part of us that was given and would not be taken back.

Those first hundred miles the first day was difficult. As we crossed the Virginia line there was a lump in my throat. I felt that once we found our place to stay and was back on the road “tomorrow” we would be “coming” home. Actually it was not a particular point that the transition took place. Admittedly the farther we progressed down the highway the easier it was to look forward but each morning did not totally “do the trick”.

It was not until we crossed the Sabine River coming into Texas from Louisiana that I was actually “coming home”. Old memories of long straight highways began to override more recent memories of tree-lined curvy ones. Wide opened skies started replacing more restricted views of the horizon. Everyone who has know me has witnessed the fact that there is just something internal about “being a Texan” and now I was home. The point at which I transitioned from leaving Virginia and “coming home” was literally seeing a sign that welcomed us back to Texas.

The truth is I will never really leave Virginia. I grew to love her and her people. She helped me grow up in many ways and I will always carry what I learned with me. I thank all of the people that we grew so close to, some over years, others over what seemed such a short time. I thank them for the support and encouragement they gave me. We love you and God has truly blessed.

But I am now so excited about the future ministry we will have here in Texas. She has changed over the 28 years since we left. We have a lot to learn and challenges to face. But God has given a very clear call and through His strength we will be used here to HIS GLORY!

In Cotulla

2008-08-25T10:27:00.000-07:00

The truck and trailer have been turned in and the boxes are in the protective custody of home and office but still have not found their definitive home. Debbie and I have a bed that we sleep in and have a good idea of where the food and towels are when we need them but such items as belts, irons and trash can liners are still hidden away somewhere enjoying their little game of hide-and-seek.
Actually Debbie and I have enjoyed the fellowships and times that we have been able to spend with some of our new friends more than worrying about getting house set up; that will happen! We would like to take some time now however to express our greatest appreciation for all of you who were at the parsonage when we pulled up and started unloading the trailer and truck. The task went off without a hitch and much faster than we could have imagined. You were a blessing.
Also we would like to thank everyone who spent time in preparing the parsonage for our arrival. The painting and repairs were wonderful. The furniture that was donated is beautiful and saved us a tremendous amount of “moving space” not to mention energy!
We really look forward to the many years that God will bless us with together. Please keep praying for us as we will you, and please remember our wonderful brothers and sisters at Clover Bottom as they are now earnestly in search for the person God will place with them there.

My New Gadget

2008-07-08T09:35:00.000-07:00

My new secret weapon against getting lost and always knowing where to go, THE GARMIN NUVI 200! I just type my destination in and press go; Mandy, the voice in the box, then tells me where to go. (Kind-a sounds like Debbie doesn’t it)

It is a great gadget and we would like to thank President Bush for thinking we could use some extra money. It should probably have been spent differently but we took the advice of the economist who said that it needed to be spent on “retail stuff”.

We have already had a lot of fun with Mandy, however, we have found that she is not infallible. We had to take Dallas (our dog) to a new vet yesterday and Mandy told us we were arriving at our destination on the left; sorry Mandy the vets office was on the right. When we set our home address in and told Mandy to “lead us home” she missed us by 3/10ths of a mile. But she has been right on most of the other locations. Right enough that we trust her. Well we almost trust her. There are times that I know how to get somewhere and Mandy wants me to go another way. You can almost imagine the frustration in her voice as she has to “recalculate” over and over and I ignore her attempts to guide me.

I could put several moral and real-life applications to the Mandy experience. God’s Word is our GPS through life (an original Darrie Crabtree idea) but we chose to follow those instructions or go our own way. Sometimes we seem to make it all right on our own but there are many other times we would have been better off if we would have listened to those directions.

Thanks Mandy for getting us to where we are supposed to be and don’t be to frustrated when I don’t listen. That seems to be a common habit of mine; right Debbie