I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

It's one of the stand-by Christmas songs that raises a feeling of nostalgia for many.  It's had special meaning for a lot of folks who have loved ones serving in the military or who are otherwise located in far flung places around the globe.  

The key word is - of course - HOME!  We all knew it all along; Dorothy was right!  There's no place like home!  Home is where the heart is!  Hopefully for most, it's a place of warm memories and vital relationships.

All of us feel sorrow for those who were raised in a manner that failed to nourish and protect the intimacies, safety and vital connections of a loving, caring family!  It's painful to recognize that this day holds no affection for many - it's just the longest day of the year to get through.  SAD!

The progression of life changes our perspective and our practices as we grow through its various stages.  

When we're young and still believe in Santa, its a time like no other!  We are VERY self-centered and can't wait for Christmas morning to see what he has delivered!

As we grow, we realize that family connections are a priority as we spend the day sharing gifts, special food, and lots of candy!  We may gain a deeper appreciation during these years for the way our parents have protected and guarded us through the years.  We realize that they invested deeply, lovingly and sacrificially to make this season special for us.

Eventually - for many - we enter the phase of making our own home!  We marry and eventually have children of our own!  Now the process begins again but our role has become the one of creating special memories in an environment of security and love!  We marvel at the joy we can create in our little ones and cherish these moments with photos and mental snapshots!

All too soon, a couple of decades slip by and the de-nesting phase is thrust upon us!  There may be a few elastic years where college-age children still return home.  They may also bring a friend or a romantic prospect along for certain elements of our Christmas traditions.  But eventually, they launch into their own adult lives and we find ourselves exchanging gifts quietly with a lot less fanfare in the solitude of our empty home.  Yes, it's sad, but phone calls, the arrival of surprise packages, and even invitations to "come for Christmas" add value to our celebration.

For those of us who sincerely love the Lord, the celebration of His Coming remains central!  We find new ways to express our gratitude to God for giving us such a wonderful and meaningful gift!  We may open our home to others.  We value the meaning gained from our church's programs and special events!

Many of us come to a place of genuinely celebrating the love we have for our spouse who has accompanied us through all these years of experiences and the making of memories!  We come to realize that the sharing of these memories is the glue that holds us together in the midst of so many changes.

In some cases - sadly - a spouse is left alone to face the Christmases that may be left.  They are often enfolded by family and given the opportunity to feel the love and acceptance that they initiated so long ago!  New friendships may also populate their lives adding value and creating new memories and experiences.  

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The Haire household has certainly experienced these transitions!  Having moved over fifteen times, we learned not to associate our memories so strongly to one house or town.  Debbie has been such an effective homemaker that our kids learned to think of wherever we lived as HOME!  Her touch and gift of making every place we lived into a warm, comfortable space allowed our kids to walk in, plop down and enjoy that wonderful feeling associated with being HOME!  

For quite a number of years we learned to flex our date for Christmas from early December to late January to suit Travis' military schedule.  It didn't bother us a bit!  While others were working and otherwise deployed, we were celebrating the depth of our love and the fun of being together!  

Our traditions have changed.  We've learned to enjoy the season of focusing on each other and acknowledging the joy that we've experienced in our fifty-one years of marriage!  In case you're wondering: love gets deeper with added years!  Debbie's beauty magnifies as she ages!  How I rejoice at the wisdom God gave me to seek her out and pursue her when I was just a sixteen-year-old boy!  😉

This year, we'll slip into Tracie and Jon's home for a few days right after Christmas!  We'll share good food and fun memories.  We'll play games and repeat stories.  We'll exchange gifts and love on one another.  It'll be fun and will launch us into the new year with a positive attitude!

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Wherever you are in this matrix of possibilities, make the best of it.  Don't sit at home and let this wonderful season pass you by!  Engage.  Stretch!  Take some risks!  Find a few to share your joy, food and memories with!  It's far too rich a season to simply sit out!  

THE FINGERPRINTS ON MY LIFE!

I just finished writing a letter to a man who intersected with our family while we were living in Spencerville, Maryland.  He has had a rough couple of years with his health and may be celebrating one of his last birthdays.  The letter was easy to write because of his generosity and expressions of creativity to us during that brief and challenging stint of our lives.

Writing his letter gave me cause to think about the many people who have engaged meaningfully with me (us) over the course of our lives.  Relationships are so much more valuable than possessions - there really is no comparison!  

As I grow older, I can't help but notice that my expressions of gratitude seem to continually expand and grow.  Perhaps it's perspective?  At this stage of life, its no longer hubris that catalyzes my life.  From my limited perspective, hubris evolves to humility!  I am humbled by the grace of God in the ways He has protected and provided for me and my family!  I can never praise Him enough!

I vividly recall the many years of high motivation and goal-setting.  I felt that I was invincible!  I had education, potential, giftedness, good background, excellent education and so much more!  Look out, world - here he comes!  🙄  I must have been intolerable at times!  These are the signs of youth and young adulthood as we stretch into our new wings and learn to fly!  

But there are SO MANY fingerprints on my life!

• Parents - It would take a book to analyze and describe their dynamic, positive influence.
• Debbie and my kids - That smiley-faced girl that rocked my world when I was sixteen is still deeply forming and impacting my life!  She is my greatest earthly treasure and she has had an enormous impact on me in so many wonderful ways!  The pride I have in our kids and the joy I take from their pursuits and adventures is beyond description!  We deliberately raised them to be independent - even though we knew that doing so would limit our exposure to them.  But, WOW! have they flourished!  Travis gave us opportunities that we would never have dreamed of!  Troy's intermittent contacts with us bring delight and meet our needs so marvelously.  He is highly regarded by many [as is Missy], and is a godly man!  Tracie and Jon gave us two of the most wonderful gifts in Rylie and Coltin!  She amazes us with her efficiency, confidence and dedication to her family!  She models so many admirable qualities!  If you have anything negative to say about Jon, don't say it around me!  He's an amazing husband and father and I thank God for him daily!  
• Teachers - From Sunday School through two master's degrees!  Particularly those that took an interest in me and invested their time and attention.  I was 'in school' - in one form or another - until I turned thirty-nine and completed my M.A. Counseling, so there were a lot of them! 
• Parishoners - Those who accepted me and invested in me with wisdom and grace.  Certain members actually became mentors of grace, passion and patience.  There are so many that I should write about because their influence was significant!
• Friends - From the influence [positive and negative] of childhood and high school friends, the camaraderie of college friends, the friends and neighbors that graced our lives all along the way, and the family friendships that added so much value and meaning to our lives!  But, there were also men in every place we've lived who made themselves special in a panoply of ways:  

            >  guys that shared my passion for the faith and growth of the church!
            >  backpacking buddies.
            >  in earlier years, young men that shared my love for sports.
            >  men that I was privileged to lead to faith in Christ and guide in their early walk with  Christ!
            >  fellows that became my helpers with my cars, other projects, or who were work  associates in the many extracurricular activities that I invested in.

I've always pointed out to Debbie that some of the best stories are about men who connect deeply, share without limits and experience the joys of life together!  I've been blessed to have many in that category!  

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Are you getting the message?  

I've long described myself as the 'prosperous man' that is talked about so frequently throughout the scriptures!  

So, on this eve of the eve of Thanksgiving, Lord, I publicly thank You for Your continual kindness and favor to me!  I marvel at Your generosity and provision!  I am grateful for family, friends and fellowship all along the journey of my life!  

Continue to guide and instruct me through these latter years of development.  Help me to keep learning and growing that I might be ready and able to contribute to the lives of others who You might cause me to intersect with!  

You are an awesome God and it is my privilege to serve You!  

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Maybe you'd like to make a list of the people who have impacted you throughout the years?  It's a good way to frame your 2024 celebration of Thanksgiving!

MARRIAGE IN THE BIBLE

God started it all in the Garden of Eden

When He opened His plan of life

It’s interesting to me that from the very beginning

The plan called for a husband and wife

 

So Adam and Eve stood before God that day

To be united in holy matrimony

From that day till now this has been the way

To cling to each other, and each other only

 

Their union was rich and full and free

Their relationship marked with love

And to top it all off, they took a walk each day

With their God who came down from above

 

It was truly a marriage that was made in heaven

They were close as close could be

This couple was more than one-plus-one is two

This one was one-plus-one equals three!

 

It’ll be that way today if you’ll only believe

God wants marriage to be more than a token

In Proverbs it says a double cord is strong

But a triple one is not easily broken

 

Then God gave them their job which was really a task

To watch over the birds, earth and sea

It was all made for them to deeply enjoy

With one exception which was a great tree!

 

God fashioned them both with tender, loving care

He provided them food, clothing and a name

Then told them to be fruitful and to multiply

When they were naked, they knew no shame

 

Out of this union came children galore

But only three who are essential to the story

And God’s plan of life was born to this family

And the children were raised to God’s glory

 

Now problems arose, but that’s nothing new

Families have always been tested and tempted

But in spite of it all, God continues to call

And this plan has never been pre-empted.

 

Now we’re told very little of the children of that day

Except that one asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

But when Cain killed Abel while working in the field

It broke the heart of the ‘Silent Reaper’

 

Now blood shed to God is always special

It’s the source of life for all man.

But especially when violence entered this way

It disrupted and threatened God’s plan

 

But down through the ages God has kept His hand

Upon the family which He seems to have ordained

Uphill and downhill, long distance and short

Upon us all God’s gift has remained

 

There were many to follow

More than just a few

Their names roll through the ages

Down to me and to you

 

The first major interruption came after Cain

With the advent of a man name Noah

Bod was displeased and greatly disappointed

So He let the floodwaters flowa  J

 

And when it was all over eight people survived

Four families is a better way to speak

God started again with a clean, brand new slate

And a world that was so clean it would squeak

 

Over and over God worked with these people

Patience was the name of the game

Generations came and generation went

But most were as evil as Cain

 

Finally God stumbled on a couple who would listen

Abram and Sarah, his lovely wife

God made promises hardly anyone would believe

And they set out from Ur for a new life

 

As the story turns out, most of these promises were distant

And Abram and Sarah wouldn’t see them

But Isaac was born in their very late years

And survived even though his dad nearly killed him

 

Isaac and Rebecka were the next family on the scene

Their twin boys were a competitive pair

Jacob fought his brother before they were born

And Esau was all covered with hair

 

After seven years of labor, Jacob got Leah

But was deceived in the deal by Laban

So he worked seven more to get Rachel as well

And wound up with two wives and two maidens!

 

Twelve children in all came out of these four

And their stories take many a twist

But Joseph emerged as the ruler of all

And their home down in Egypt was fixed

 

It was many years later that Moses arose

From the bull-rushes to serve as a savior

With Zipporah, his wife, and a vision in his head

He led them from Egypt with God’s favor

 

With a God who was present in pillar and cloud

They started out on their journey for Canaan

It was to be a long trip with problem after problem

But it sure beat in Egypt remainin’

 

To reduce forty years, they made it to Canaan

And established a kingdom around Saul

Then came David, who was known to be after God’s heart

And Solomon, whose kingdom included all

 

In the midst of all this, we find Boaz

Who, in Ruth, found a wife that was good

Twas in Bethlehem that their first child was given

This is where Obed, David’s grandfather stood!

 

Again, years progressed and the Word of the Lord was scarce

And Hannah, wife of Elkanah, was caught in a stare

Eli, the high priest, gave her a promise of a son

Then came Samuel – a prophet quite rare

 

As these ages rolled by, the family survived

In spite of being abused

There was David and Bathsheeba and Solomon’s thousand wives

Now there’s a man who was REALLY confused

 

Before we change testaments there’s a few more we should name

Such as the family of Job and his wife

It’s amazing when you realize how faithful he was

He trusted God through the deepest of strife

 

And what about the prophet whose name was Hosea

Whom God asked to marry a woman of ill repute

So Hosea expressed a love for Gomer that was persistent

To show that God’s love is beyond dispute

 

Now that brings us to a critical point

Down to a woman and wife past family age

But with God there is nothing impossible

So a child was born to this marriage

 

When the promise came, Zacharias was left speechless

But Elizabeth certainly did not fear it

Her conception, late in life, was a blessing

And her child – in her womb – felt the Spirit

 

John the Baptist was a prophet like Elijah

His preaching was a sharp as could be

Our Lord Jesus was later to comment

“Never a greater man ever lived, than he.”

 

But the outstanding family story

Is the one about the young, virgin girl

Who was asked to reveal all God’s glory

Just the thought of it gives us a thrill

 

Mary’s conception was of the Holy Spirit

Joseph faithfully kept her from danger

When the child came at the end of their journey

Mary wrapped Him and laid Him in a manger!

 

That night was a miraculous occasion

We commemorate it down to this day

There were angels, shepherds and wise men

Who were all the first followers of the Way!

 

Now take notice as you listen to this story

God chose a family to reveal His full love

It was Jesus, Immanuel, and God’s full glory

was to shine through His life from above

 

And He preached and touched and He healed

As He walked on the land just like us

One would think He’s be loved and accepted

But actually, He raised quite a fuss

 

This One, whose life was nothing but service

Was finally hung on a tree

It was not until then that they knew it

He was part of a divine Trinity!

 

But His dath had no permanence about it

On the third day, He rose from His tomb

The women believed from the beginning

But the men – not till He entered the room

 

Even today, men are slower to respond

Oh, the church would be richer indeed

If, like women, they would trust in the Beyond

Upon His life and His Word they would feed

 

Other families were to enter this life stream

Many were there on Pentecost Day

When Peter’s words about visions and men’s dreams

Were fulfilled in a memorable way

 

Even some of our Lord’s disciples

Were married and had families to show

Peter was one of these brave ones

His mother-in-law helped him to grow

 

Now Paul had no wife that we know of

Although scholars have wondered and guessed

Where else could those beatings have come from?

And what about this thorn in the flesh? 

 

I’m joking, and certainly you know it

For the love of a husband and wife

is far more than children and possessions

It’s the way to an abundant life

 

I think of Priscilla and Acquilla

Pauls’ friends in the tent-making trade

Who opened their home and gave from their hearts

And oh, what a difference they made!

 

You see, from the very beginning

God ordained it – it’s the way it should be

Without families, the world would stop spinning

We’re essential, oh please – don’t you see?

 

We’re all needed!  The family is God’s plan

For life – abundant and free

Just stop and think for a moment

Without my family – now where would I be?

 

Every couple that unites in marriage

Participates with God in His plan

If they’d only recognize Jesus

As the Lord of every woman and man

 

The problems in our world would quickly fade

And struggles on our families would cease

If only a few people would take notice

That Jesus is the source of real peace

 

If you ask:  “Who can change our world’s pace?”

My answer will come really fast

If we put the family in its right place

It matters not what’s in our past

 

God will use a few families as leaven

This is the way that God meant

They will lead the whole world to Heaven

What we need is real commitment!

 

Biblical families have established God’s pace

Right down to now when we fear the great bomb

But the way He will save our race

Is through a Dad, a bunch of kids, and a Mom

 

So determine today – you’ll be part of God’s way

Don’t turn back, be determined, press on

Talk with your spouse – take time to pray

“O Lord my God, we will follow, just lead on!”

 

Now to close up this time of devotion

And to bring things to a right and proper end

In the name of the Father the Son and the Spirit

May we all together now say “AMEN!”

DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILES

 I'm sure you've noticed that even the word dysfunctional is spelled dysfunctionally.  :-)

Wikipedia defines a dysfunctional family:

A dysfunctional family is a family in which conflict, misbehavior, and often child neglect or abuse on the part of individual parents occur continuously and regularly, leading other members to accommodate such actions.

I think it's safe to say that Isaac and Rebekah had a dysfunctional family.  And they all suffered as a result!  

Isaac seems to have developed a preference for his first-born son, Esau.  Rebekah took a special interest in the second-born, Jacob.  We must keep a door open that her actions could have been motivated by the fact that God had told her:

“Two nations are in your womb,
    and two peoples from within you will be separated;
one people will be stronger than the other,
    and the older will serve the younger.”

 Chuck Swindoll suggests that there were other ways God could have brought this about:  

• Truthfulness with the boys from the beginning - helping them to understand that this was God's will for their lives.
• Equal love for both boys from both parents.  Esau could have graciously released the birth rite to Jacob in humble obedience to God's sovereign will.
•  Jacob could have received the blessing and offered to share his wealth and privilege freely with Esau.   [Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives,  pp.51-69]

 Instead, Isaac and Rebekah appear to have lost the closeness of their marriage relationship.  We don't even know if she ever told Isaac about God's message regarding Isaac.  She clearly - like Jacob - practiced deception against Isaac.  While likely loving each of the boys, they played favorites.  

The end is sad!  Isaac feels betrayed.  Esau is enraged and plans to kill his brother after his father dies.  Rebekah is worried over the whole situation.  And Jacob is fearful and forced to leave his homeland.  

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So, what is the biblical formula for a healthy marriage and family?

A Husband is to Love his Wife
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it”   Ephesians 5:25

A Husband is to Cling to His Wife
“Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will cling to his wife: and they will be one flesh.”    Genesis 2:24     [The implication of this (and other passages) is sexual exclusivity and fulfillment.]

A Wife is to Submit to Her Husband
Wives, yield to your husbands, as you do to the Lord,  Ephesians 5:22  (New Century Version)    [Debbie always preferred the TLB version of I Peter 3:1, Wives, fit in with your husband's plans...]

Marriage is a Covenant – so God is Part of Every Marriage
“… the LORD hath been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously: yet is she your companion, and the wife of your covenant.” Malachi 2:14     That sets it apart from other relationships!  Paul declares this unity to be a profound mystery in Ephesians 5:32.

Forgiveness is the Key to Happiness in the Home
“And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

Train Children Early and Consistently                                                    “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6. The Hebrew means from infancy to adolescence, while training carries the connotation of narrowing or hedging in. Training a child means appropriate instruction according to the age of the child, and it begins in infancy.

Teach Your Children about God                                                               "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.  “ Deuteronomy 6:6–9. 

Hal's Personal Counsel                                                                              PRAY!  Pray alone!  Pray together as a couple!  Pray together as a family!  Pray individually with your kids!  Walk them to their beds - even when they become teens - and sit and talk with them and pray over them!  Prayer has a healing, comforting, assuring effect!  DON'T IGNORE IT!!!!!

MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY

Community Thanksgiving services were part of my childhood.  In the early 1960's they were held at 10:00 AM on Thanksgiving Day.  They moved from one church to another as the years unfolded.  It could not have been convenient for the women who were trying to prepare feasts for their families.  I remember a couple of years that just my father and I attended.  We would worship that day with many of our neighbors, expressing our gratitude to God for His blessings and gifts!  Depending on what church was the host, we would experience different styles of worship.  I was always quite impressed with the pipe organs in a few of the churches - so majestic.  Their swells of tympanic music seemed to carry our thanksgiving hymns to the heavens in a far more appropriate manner than at other times.
The corporate reading of scripture was an expression of our unity.  The responsive readings caused us to breathe in unison.  The hearty exchange of greetings on a national day of giving thanks to God was filled with meaning and sincerity!  I remember clearly being moved by these experiences!

Over the years I always chose to participate with the local ministerial groups that represented the communities where I served churches.  I've helped plan the unity services and along with my people have also hosted them on many occasions.  I always tried to make them as special as I could.  Typically the communities observed three times of combined focus:  Thanksgiving, Holy Week and the National Day of Prayer.  Few communities still share these times of emphasis.

This year, Debbie and I attended the Mohawk Area Church Association Community Thanksgiving service at the Westfield Presbyterian Church.  It was held on Sunday evening.  I enjoyed the experience immensely!  It included a community choir of sixty members who gave us three musical treatises that lifted our spirits.  A local group of capable musicians - called Edelweiss - accompanied the choir (along with a drummer);  they also provided pre-worship music that helped focus our thoughts.  The Westfield Faithful Bells presented two magical bell songs that thrilled us with their skill and passion.  A very young lady sang "The Lord's Prayer".  A middle-aged man with an amazing tenor voice sang "Bless This House".  The hymns we sang (with pipe organ accompaniment) gave voice to words that many of us have sung for decades!  It was all very familiar - which can be a good thing, right?

The scripture readings were appropriate and the message was stimulating.  Host (Interim) Pastor Chris Carlson challenged us with inspiring thoughts.  I was particularly moved by his comments (based on Deuteronomy 26:1-12) about giving of the first fruits.  He pointed out that this instruction from God caused the people to act in faith!  They were to give the first fruits of their crops as an offering to the Lord.  They were to give these first fruits without any assurance that the rest of their crops would come with abundance or in good condition.  They were to exercise their faith by putting God first!  We were challenged to do the same!

All in all, the service was wonderful and was attended by a fair group from at least ten different congregations.  We were Methodist, Presbyterians, Catholics, Baptists, Covenenters, and probably a few others;  but Sunday night we were all just people who are grateful to God for His many kindnesses!  I was blessed!  I am blessed!

Personally, I have much to be grateful for!

•   Though deaf in one ear, with the help of hearing aids I can hear.
•   Though I had a torn retina in my right eye about seventeen years ago, I can see with that eye.  Every time I have an eye exam the doctor marvels that the eye still works!
•   I enjoy amazing good health;  typical, age-appropriate aches and pains, but strength and health abound!
•   God faithfully meets all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus!  Debbie and I love our retirement home.  After many years of living in parsonages, we can now put a nail in the wall anywhere we want to!  :-)  His provisions through the Social Security system and the Free Methodist pension program allow us to meet all our monthly needs.  We are abundantly blessed with material possessions!
•   We have friends from literally many nations around the world!  Living for three years with the Changchun University International students built a base of friendships with students from China, Russia, Mongolia, Viet Nam, Korea, the Philippines, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekastan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Thailand, India, Cambodia, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo, and others.  We still keep in communication with many of these friends!  
•   We have family connections that are deeply meaningful to us!  Deb's family have been a support system for us through the years.  Her siblings are integral to  our lives!  My family has also always been a blessing to us.  We gathered recently for a weekend to make apple butter together.  What a wonderful time we had!
•   We have our children and our precious grandchildren (along with an awesome daughter-in-law and two incredible sons-in-law)!  They mean the world to us!  Our time with them is the most treasured thing we have on this earth!  We live for those moments!
•   We have our faith!  The most intimate thing Debbie and I do together is to pray!  Often it's done late at night or early in the morning as we lay with our arms around each other.  We enjoy sharing our faith with our family, our church and others!  It clearly gives purpose and direction to our lives!
•   And we have each other!  Today, our Thanksgiving meal included turkey, stuffing, corn, sweet potato cassarole, cranberry salad, and mashed potatos.  Later, we'll have some of Debbie's 'blue-ribbon' apple pie!  For the first time in forty-six years it was just the two of us at the table!  And that's okay.  I love her and she loves me.  We love being together!  She's God's greatest blessing to my life!  

So, we're thankful!  Truly thankful!  We came from godly homes and have replicated - by God's grace - that faith into the homes of our children!  What more could we ask for?  

Thank You, Father,

for the grace and mercy You've extended in our direction!

Thank You for filling our cups so full!

Help us to faithfully live to Your honor!

Help us to make a difference in our world!

Help us to love people with abandon!

Help us to be generous!

For Jesus' sake.

Amen.

DEEPLY STIRRED

Being a retired person gave me the privilege of sitting and watching President George H. W. Bush's funeral from beginning to end.  The impact of doing so was immense and I'll be sorting out that impact for at least a few days!  But let me try to capture some of it for the benefit of others who may not have had the same privilege.

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!
I felt a unique sense of pride in being an American as a result of watching the funeral.  A lot of it came from the pomp and circumstance that embodied the event from beginning to end.

• the precision of the military
• the majesty of the U.S. Capital
• the respect for the Bush family
• the unity of opposing parties in honoring a great president
• the massive response of the general public
• seeing our five living presidents (and their wives) seated together
• seeing six living vice presidents sitting together
• seeing Senator Bob Dole helped to his feet in the capital to offer a salute to his friend

Hearing the universal praise for a former president was encouraging.  As these days have unfolded, I have sensed a return of patriotism in my spirit.  It never left completely, but it has waned as a result of bitter feuds, unkind exchanges and partisan manipulations.  

In my fourth year of life, my father taught me respect for our nation by instructing me to take my hat off when I saw the U.S. flag passing by.  He always modeled patriotism with excellence for me.  One of the few days of the year that we would spend completely together was Memorial Day.  We would begin by going to three cemeteries to decorate family graves.  Then, we would attend the New Brighton Memorial Day parade and the service following at the city park on Third Avenue.  Then, and only then, we would return home for a picnic.  

It feels good to experience that noble pride that comes from living in one of the greatest nations to ever exist on the face of this earth!

THE POWER OF WORDS

I'm a preacher, so I value words.  For over forty years I spent my week praying and mulling over the things I would say in my message on Sunday.  It was an honor to have that privilege and I always took it seriously.  I believed then, and believe now, that words can and do impact us.  

The four who paid verbal tribute to President Bush today were:

• Jon Meacham, the presidential historian
• Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney
• Former Senator Alan Simpson, [R-Wyo]
• Former President George W. Bush

Their words were carefully chosen and crafted in a manner that allowed them to communicate with grace, skill, power and effectiveness.  Each created moments for humor and laughter in remembering a great leader.  Tears were evoked repeatedly.  We were reminded that President Bush was an imperfect man, whose story nearly ended when he crashed into the ocean on September 2, 1944.  

They sprinkled their comments with quotes worth remembering:

• George W. Bush said of his father:  "He was born with just two settings: full throttle, then sleep".  He also said, "He could tease and needle but never out of malice.”
• Senator Simpson said, “He was a man of such great humility. Those who travel the high road of humility in Washington, D.C. are not bothered by heavy traffic."
• Mr. Meacham quipped, “President Bush once remarked, 'Fluency in English is something that I’m often not accused of.’ Then, Meacham added: “His tongue may have run amok at times, but his heart was steadfast.”
• Mr. Mulroney stated:  "...when world leaders dealt with Bush, they knew that they were dealing with a gentleman, a genuine leader, one that was distinguished, resolute and brave.”

The Rev. Dr. Russell Levenson, rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, delivered the homily, drawing tears from some in the crowd.

He said, “My hunch is heaven just got a bit kinder and gentler. … Welcome to your eternal home, where ceiling and visibility are unlimited, and life goes on forever.”

As I listened to and responded to these words, I felt something happening inside.  There was a strengthening taking place.  A resolve was growing to be a better man, a better father, a better husband, and a better member of my community.  I found myself reflecting on Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..."  

THE RICHNESS OF OUR FAITH

Being a man of faith and a leader in the church, I was deeply moved by the expressions of faith I witnessed at the funeral.

• the majesty of the Washington National Cathedral
• the wonderful music of symphony and choir
• the prayers of the priests and responses of the people
• the power of the hymns
• hearing Michael W. Smith sing:  "...a lifetime's not too long to live as friends."
• the frequent references to reunions in Heaven
• hearing the Word of God read publicly
• hearing the congregation read the Apostle's Creed

I observed a Houston pastor who has been thrust into the limelight because of one of his parishoners give a challenging and inspiring message!  He referred to the 'Rose Window' in the Cathedral and reflected on President Bush's admiration for it.  

He reminded us that the window's beauty is only fully realized when the sun shines through it and lights its colors gloriously.  He reminded us that the gloom of the crucifixion was only removed with the dawn of the resurrection!  Finally, he challenged us to let the light of Christ shine through our lives!  Once again, the power of words!

Again, I felt something moving within.  Life is short.  Eternity is long!  We are leaving footsteps in the sand.  People matter!  My life has purpose!  Heaven is real!  

Two days ago, I wrote a letter to Troy and Tracie.  In it, I wrote:

I look back over my life and wish I’d spent even more time with you 

and taught you even more.    

Careers can be so distracting!  

I just told your Mom one of my favorite memories.  

We were all walking down Main Street in East Liverpool.  

You two were quite young.  

I had you each by the hand as we walked together.  I treasure that memory!  

Make the memories while you can!  If you haven't been storing up treasure in Heaven - it's time to start!  God bless you!

LIFE CHANGES

That title can be interpreted in different ways:

• It can be descriptive of the changes that can (and do) take place throughout our lives.
• It can also be a statement of action:  life is not static - it changes.

I probably mean it in both ways.

Annually at this season, I write a blog expressing the things that I am thankful for.  This year will be no exception.  But things are different.

I've been retired for a year-and-a-half.  For the first year, I kept very busy working around our new home, putting in a yard, doing landscaping, finishing our two-car-garage, and just generally knocking things off the honey-do-list.  We had to make adjustments financially, but my schedule opened up in new ways that gave me tons of freedom and quantum time alone.  Once, and often twice-a-week, Debbie leaves for twenty-four hours to sit with her aging mother [she and her siblings share this responsibility].  

To say that our lives have changed is a gross understatement.  

This past spring I realized a long-held dream and spent six weeks on the Appalachian Trail.  Whether or not I resume my hike remains to be seen.  But, upon my arrival home, life slowed down.  Much of the work around our home has been completed.  I have begun to struggle to find ways to occupy myself in recent months. 

But don't misread me;  I'm still a very grateful and contented man: 

• I'm forever grateful to God for His patience, provision and kindness!
• I'm thankful for my life's companion and her faithfulness in loving me and sharing the journey.
• I love my kids and take joy in their visits, gifts and texts.  Watching them flesh out their lives is a treat that Debbie and I rejoice in.
• I have two precious grandchildren that bring untold delights!  What a joy!
• These days I'm grateful to the Social Security Administration.  They make a deposit to my bank account every month!
• I'm also grateful to the Free Methodist Church for having a pension plan and executing it so well.  They also make a deposit to my bank account monthly!  
• I love our home:  warm, lovely, comfortable, nice neighbors, great view...
• I have three vehicles - all paid for!  :-)  I now can occasionally be seen driving a Ford F-250 around!  Woo Hoo!  I'm running with the 'big boys' now!  
• At Debbie's instigation, we bought a used fifth-wheel camper this year.  We hope to take it south for some winter months in the future!  
• I have lots of friends - I can prove it, just look at my Facebook page!  😀  But sincerely, we have friends from far-and-wide that we have shared precious times with.  When we have the opportunity to get together (or talk) it's as though no time has passed at all.  I still have occasional contact with my former students and friends from China!  My blog is read regularly in ten different countries!  Our friends have formed us and we're truly grateful!  
• There is finally time to write.  I enjoy blogging and Facebooking, have written a short novel, started a sequel and am documenting my life history for my family.
• As odd as it seems to write, we have Gabe.  He started out to be Deb's puppy, but gradually she showed him less attention and I've shown him more.  Today, he's almost my constant companion!  
• Debbie and I enjoy extended family connections that add value to our lives.  My relationships with my siblings have never been real close - probably because of the age difference.  All through the years, most of my contacts with them have been initiated by me.  But the Whippo family has been part of our foundation!  They're a fun bunch and we know they'd be there for us if we ever had a need - they've proven that in the past!  
• Sixty-six years have accumulated - soon, sixty-seven!  I'm still healthy, strong, and able to enjoy life!  
• Reading is still a joy to me (although double-vision sometimes limits the length of my reading).  I enjoy novels more than ever before. but still read in other areas as well.  Books have always been a tool God uses to sharpen, awaken and grow me!  

I could go on - you know that.  I'm a prosperous man!  

Each stage of life is different.  Life changes.  We have to adapt.  It keeps things interesting.  I'm stretching to discover the ways I can be productive and effective in this new stage of my life.  

Right now, I've very excited that our kids will be home next week to spend four or five days with us! That doesn't happen too often, so you can imagine our anticipation!  Special foods are being planned, gifts are being bought and wrapped, the quads and golf cart are tuned up,  the house is being cleaned and the red carpet is ready to be rolled out!  Our deepest joy will be a reality as our family comes under one roof for a few days!   

So, from our house to your life - may God's peace and joy be so real to you as we close out another year that you too will automatically express your gratitude for all He has done in and through your life!  Blessings...