Garden Wisdom

Several years ago, we created a vegetable garden on land owned by the Borough near a "buffer zone" between our town house association and nearby businesses.   We asked if we would beautify the hill, as other neighbors have landscaped and planted flowers.   Our garden started out as a clay filled hill, turned over and worked on by my stepson, with bags of topsoil added.   The following year, the same area became fenced in, and more plants added.   In the summer of 2018, the heavy rains washed the topsoil away and exposed the roots of some plants.  Most withered in the sun, and except for tomatoes, our crop was light.

So, this year, I tried something different.  We reduced the size, created an area for our neighbor to plant.  I added more fence stakes, dug a path on the side and back, created planting beds and walking rows, added stone bricks, and learned how to stake better for growing plants.   It all looked great.  And then the storms arrive.

Life is like that for many of us.  We work hard.  We create our projects and execute our plans.  Often in our own strength.   We admire what we have accomplished--and want no one or nothing to change that.

And then the storms of life arrive and test what we have made.   Jesus says this in Matthew 7:24-27:

²⁴ “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. ²⁶ And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Is our foundation on the rock or sand?   After the storm in the photo above, I thought about this verse and looked at my foundation.   I saw the areas where the water went.  I moved just one of the stone edge blocks slightly to let water run out.   I added more bricks and added much in all the planting beds and in the walking rows.   I reinforced the stakes and also noticed what did work well.

In life, the storms test us to expose our weak areas, but also to see areas where we are strong.  They allow us the choice to make changes that can help us weather the next storm better than the last.  

We are at the mercy of the storm, and realize we have no control.  Just as I could not control the amount of rain falling, I could create steps to help mitigate the damage.   In life, when we turn to God in the storm, we may not take it away--in fact, Jesus said in this life you will have trials-but take heart, because I have overcome the world.   God is with us though the storm, and when we turn to him and turn our lives and wills over to him, we will prepare us to weather the next storm that comes better than we did before.

So, after the storm that hit the garden there was calm weather.  Followed by a few days of breeze and sunshine.  Just what the plants need to be established and develop strong roots.   And that is what we need.  A time of refreshing after life's storm to retain our footing and grow roots of faith and wisdom in God to help secure us for the next storm that comes by.

Here is the garden today, taken not long after a recent heavy rainstorm.  It's quite a difference now.

God showed me wisdom from a garden, and He can show you wisdom also.  Think about a recent storm in your life, or one you are going though now and what wisdom you can gain to help you when the next storm or trial arrives.

Good Bye Oreo. (Welcome to your new home)

We are no stranger to pets at our house. We have a dog.3-legged cat, a bearded dragon, 2 gekkos and an aquarium full of fish. And up until last night (September 12^th), we had Oreo. This is his story.

We acquired him a little over a year ago in August. My stepson had been dating someone for over a year and it was her dog. She would bring him over to visit and keep him in the basement (Where's Noah's room is) so we really did not see him, and when we went down, he would bark or growl. After they broke up, she left the dog with us.

It was about this time, we learned he was not well cared for. There was some measure of abuse and mistreatment. We did not want him to return to that environment, so my wife found a form online and we had them sign him over to us. Our intention was to keep him for a short time until we found an owner. Little did we know that God had other plans.

We set up a dog cage we had and filled with blankets and a pillow and added a blanket to our bed. At first, Oreo wanted to sleep in the cage and always under a blanket, where he felt safe. We proceeded to add a second food dish, walk him on a regular basis with our other dog, Bella, and give him lots of love and attention. We also got his shots up to date and got him licensed.

Oreo is a Jack Russell Terrier mix and was quite the shedder. I think we will find white hair for years to come. He was also active when outside. He would seem to bark at anything that moved-a bicyclist, someone walking, other dogs of course, and people in general. We also would tug and pull on the leash, whle our other dog, Bella, took her time. Oreo could be really hyper and start barking for no reason when we took him out. I had a routine when walking them that included seeing if the big dog was out behind the neighbors fence in our backyard.

Inside the house, Oreo would lay around and doze in his favorite spot, the living room chair with a blanket and pillow. Over the past year, I was teaching him to play and he would run around and play with Bella-and for a time, Bella had another companion during the day.

We noticed quickly that Oreo did not like men or children until he got to know them. We feel they may have been the perpetrators where he was before. I think in the hierarchy of our home, I became the Alpha and my wife next in line, on down to Bella. Oreo took to us quickly, due to the attention we gave him. When our grand kids would come over to visit, Oreo felt safe in his cage and would often bark at them. That changed when my step daughter and her family watched Oreo in late March, when we were on the school band trip to Disney. After that weekend, Oreo no longer barked at them.

As summer approached, our schedules changed and we were coming up to some weekends where we would be away. In the past, when we had only one dog, our neighbors would walk Bella and check on our cat. With Oreo, who could be a handful, that was not going to work out. On one of our weekends away, we found a local kennel and took Oreo there. The experience seemed to go OK, but we were hoping to avoid that if possible.

Then one time when my son was visiting, we mentioned this to him and he told us that he should be able to watch them. He spent this summer working for a woman who has a pet stitting service. He has customers to watch, walk, feed, give shots to, and more. What a relief to have him come over and pay him for his time.

With all this, why is Oreo no longer with us? Well, initially, we took him in so he would not go back to an abusive environment. We thought that we would be able to find someone quickly, and then life sometimes gets in the way. I also went back and forth in my feelings for him. I had a Jack Russell before when I was first married. After the divorce, I was asked by my ex to take care of her. At that time, I was working long hours at a bank, and wanted the best for our dog. I was fortunate to find an assistant manager at work who had younger daughters and an older Jack Russell dog, and so after an initial visit, they took her home to see how it worked out, and never brought her back.

With our schedules, school starting, my wife now working full time, and some upcoming weekend trips, we focused more on finding him a home. I knew that he should have more room to run and be with someone who would be home more. Our other dog is older, more laid back, and used to a regular schedule. My wife spearheaded the effort, and posted his information on a local adopt a pet website.

Then last weekend, while my wife and I were away for the weekend, she received an email that there was a couple who was interested in meeting Oreo. They registered and filled out information and we contacted them to meet on Wednesday night.

Carol and Steve arrived at 6 pm. Oreo barked as he always did when someone was at the door, and he was the first one at the door when I opened it. Now normally, when there is a man that Oreo does not know, he will bark and carry on. But not this time. I believe that dogs can sense people who either have dogs, or have a kind disposition. I picked up Oreo and welcomed them in. My wife arrived home soon after and we went into the living room to talk. They had a list of questions for us and wanted to know everything about him. Even before we went into the living room, they wanted to hold him. Oreo took right to Steve and seemed to sense something was different.

I believe that God worked this all out. You see, this couple is retired and live in York County. They recently had to put their dog down due to Cancer. Steve told me that he has always had a dog and needs one in his life. As we talked and they spent time with Oreo, it was apparent that he was going to leave with him. It was as if Oreo knew he was a temporary resident here with us, and that a new home was waiting for him. I had never seen him warm up to others as he did to them. While there, we finalized the adoption process online, and I got his vet papers and forms. We packed up his blankets, pillows, some food and treats, and the leash we used to take him on walks. We walked them out and they took Oreo on his leash. We said our goodbyes and they left.

Last night, there were some tears and I was sad, but I was also happy that Oreo had found a home. Today my wife received an email about how his evening and day went. He was being a lap dog with Steve, was eating, and slept on the floor of their bedroom on a blanket and pillow.

I am grateful that God chose us to house Oreo for a time, give him love and care, and help him to find a new home.

Do you want to get well?

I am taking a Disciple course at my church on the Gospel of John, and I am very excited.  For years, I have wanted to be involved in this course that the pastor teaches, but have been either involved in, or co-leading our "Men's Fraternity" classes.  This year, I wanted to sign up, but missed the sheet, and was told the class was full.  It was still in our bulletin, so I emailed our Pastor, and due to demand, he created (2) class nights.

Tonight was on John Chapters 5 and 6.  This includes the Man at the pool, Feeding the 5,000, Jesus declared the Son of God, and being the Bread of Life.

Part of our discussion was in John Chapter 5, Verses 1-14.  Let me give you some context before I lay out the passage.  Many of the Jews believed that if you had a disease, or infirmary, that you had sin in your life and were to blame.  There was a belief though, that at springs or pools, an angel would come down, perhaps annually, and stir the waters.  They believed that the one who was first in the pool would be healed.  Our story takes place in Jerusalem, by one of the gates to the city, at a pool called "Bethesda."  Here is John 5: 1-14 (NIV)

The Healing at the Pool

5 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. ² Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda^[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. ³ Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. ^{[4] [b] 5} One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

⁷ “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
⁸ Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” ⁹ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, ¹⁰ and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.”
¹¹ But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”
¹² So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”
¹³ The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.
¹⁴ Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”

So before tonight, here is my perspective on this story...
As the story starts, we read that there was a man there for 38 years!  To me, that was a long time.  I wondered how could he stay there for that long.   Now, there are others there-lame, blind, etc...but Jesus goes to this man only and says "Do you want to get well?"
The question to me was one of a spiritual condition, not a human one.  Do you want to be well spiritually.  It is a direct question, and one that the man deflects.

The man tries to explain how he needs help to get to the water.  Someone is always faster than him.  It made me wonder, "Well then, move closer to the waters edge!"

 I wondered why Jesus asks this question to him.  If he wanted to get well, would he not have tried harder to be healed?  (More on this later)

The response from Jesus is direct.  "Get up!  Pick up your mat and walk."  Here was some action.  Not pity.  Just get up and go.  Right into the hands of the Jewish leaders.  The healing was on the Sabbath, where no work was to be done.  And even carrying something, like a mat, was forbidden.

I realized here that Jesus never gave his name to the man.  He did not say, "Hey there, I am Jesus and I can heal you."  The man did not know who he was at the time.  Later, Jesus found him at the temple and said "See you are well again.  Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."
I did wonder what that meant.  Stop sinning.  Was he doing something wrong on the Sabbath?  What worse thing could happen to him?  For me, it was a healing story that spoke to our spiritual condition.

Our Class Discussion...
Then, we had our class tonight.  And our mind-blowing discussion about these chapters.  This is why I was excited and wanted to run home and type this out.

Jesus asked if the man wanted to be healed.  We assume the question was regarding a spiritual condition of the heart.  Or maybe a physical healing.   The bible says he was an invalid.  We don't know what his condition was.  However, he was there for 38 years.  He was fed, had water--and get this, had an easy life.  He did not have to work hard for anything and was still fed and clothed somehow.   We can say 38 years!  How cold he do that.  Then our Pastor said, what about us?  Some of us work the same job for that long.  Or have a routine that can last that long.  Suddenly 38 years does not seem that long.

Asking the question then about getting well implies that if the man answers yes, then the simple life he had would change.  If he were healed, he would have to leave, maybe work for a living, or change his lifestyle.

The man's response was that the water would heal him, if we could make it there before someone else.  He did not know there was another way.  He said there was no one to help him.  He was stuck in that situation.  Or perhaps, he did not want help, as he was used to his situation.

Jesus responded with a command.  Get up and walk!  Jesus knew it was the Sabbath.  He knew that this act would rankle the Jewish leaders.  

Later on Jesus was looking for the man and found him at the temple.  By now, we feel that the man knew it was Jesus who healed him.  We are sure that others in the temple had identified him by name, or saying he was the miracle worker, or the prophet.  He tells the man not to sin anymore or worse things will happen to him.  We discussed that as a group, and looked at what some bible scholars have speculated.  This put the whole story into perspective and had it all make sense.

What if the man was faking it?  What if his infirmary was not severe?  Suppose he was getting by and not having to do much, and living rather easily.  Along comes Jesus and calls him on it.  He knew the man's condition, and knew if he asked the question "Do you want to be well?" it would evoke a response.  Jesus tells him to pick up his mat and go.  The man does that and leaves.  

Later, when Jesus tells him that he is well and to sin no more.  We wondered, was the man's sin lying to people that he was an invalid.  Jesus told him not to do that anymore, or worse things could happen to him.  We learned that the Bible was teaching that you sin is your own.  That you would be judged for your own sin.  The worse part would be that is he keeps sinning, he would become one of the Goats, in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats, where Jesus separates the two.  The sheep go into the Master's pen, and the goats go into the fire.

Anyway, we do not know for sure, and we do not want to take away from a healing miracle that Jesus is listed as doing.  This was just and interesting perspective on a story from one chapter in the Gospel of John.   I am excited for the new perspectives I am gaining from the class and wanted to share that.  

What are your thoughts?

  

Radio Days...

"Good evening Beaver Falls, My name is Steve Schappell. And I'm Brian Johnson,  And together we are THE MEN, Thursday nights, 9-midnight on FM 88.3 WGEV..."

With those words, my college pal Brian and I started off our weekly 3 hour radio show at our college radio station.  From 1984 to 1988, we were THE MEN, a combination of comedy, music and mayhem.  We took our theme from a song by the band, A.D., and their song "We are the men."

In addition to our radio show, we each had our own slots.  I had mid-Monday with Steve and Weekend shifts.  Here is a photo from the archives when I was on air, showcasing my only one time beard, and the incredible 80's technology.

Let's take a trip back in time to the Reagan 80's and a small college in Western PA.  Geneva College and WGEV, our christian radio station.  I was a communications major at the time, and our radio station was a small building on campus, right along route 18th.  The upstairs had offices, production rooms, storage and the studio, while the downstairs included classrooms, offices, and our mock studio for training. 

Back then, you had to train offline, and then take your FCC test in order to have a Class 1 Radio License, allowing you to broadcast.  Our station was run as a real world station.  We had a Music Director, a Production Director, Newsroom, and other positions.  The positions were unpaid, but were part of the station flow.  We received a playlist for our shifts, but had room for requests.  We had a log of when to play station sounders, commercials, and music.

Once you received your license, you were put into the rotation and were broadcasting weekly, or daily.  Most of our shows were weekly, due to the number of people broadcasting, and our college schedules being more important.

But the technology...that's what I wanted to talk about.  We are in the 80's...well before Cell Phones, CD's, Computers with digital music.  Look back at my photo and what do you see?  In the upper left, a Reel-to-Reel Machine.  To the right of that, (2) Cart Machines that played what looked like 8-track tapes.  Upper right corner are the Carts we played with commercials, music sounders, intros, etc.

I have headphones to listen to songs that were cued up, and there is a clipboard, with the playlist and log.  We had knobs for everything across the long board.  These controlled the sounds from all the machines, and the music from....wait for it...the albums we played.  Yes-VINYL rules!    Of course, later on, we were also using cassettes, but still.

I almost forgot the studio phone at the left.  At least it was push button, and not rotary dial.  No wait, is that a rotary dial there?  Hmmm.

For news, we relied on "Sparky,"  He was our Associated Press, or AP teletype machine.  News and sports scores would come over the wire, and we could enhance it with news from the local paper.  Sparky had a bell when news would come in.  It was what you would call a PUSH service, news was sent to us, after it happened, and then it would be edited together by staff or a DJ for the news.    I remember the day of the Challenger Space Shuttle Explosion.  I was attending Mass Media class with my roomate.  When the class was over, we were walking upstairs and past the studio when Sparky went wild.  The news flowed out and we ran back to our dorm to watch the news unfold on the lobby TV with others in the dorm.

Between our shows, we did production work to prepare for our shows.  For THE MEN, Brian and I would record spots on the Reel-to-Reel tape machine, and then add layers one at a time for sound effects, etc.  To edit our spots, we used an editing block, razor blade, and special tape.  That's how we edited.  Cranking the reel-to-reel back and forth listening for the place to cut and splice the tape.    It was a lot of work, but was the latest technology for the time.

OK, back out of the time machine and back to 2016.  Over the weekend, I volunteered for the Kids Cookie Break Fest, held at the Junction Center in Manheim, home of WJTL.  They are a Christian Broadcasting station, that includes the studio, outside concert venue, indoor stage and event center.  Before my shift began, I was able to attend a studio tour.

The tour included offices, the "Live at the Junction Center" indoor cafe and stage setting, Production rooms, and the Radio Studio.   Part of the time in the studio included asking questions with the current on-air personality (Not a DJ), and looking at how they work on the air.  Take a look at Radio Friend Phil working the controls.

Compare this to my photo.  What a difference.  What you don't see completely are the (4) Monitors.  To the far left, that monitor is open to their facebook and twitter accounts, plus email.  All the social media that comes in is displayed there.  So requests from listeners some in to that terminal.  The black terminal in the photo is the playlist and the digital archives.  For example, I call in a request.  The on air personality can type in the song title or artist and get a list, then select the song and have it ready to play.  There were no records, cassettes or CD's here.  The music is computerized, digital and ready to play.  The other monitor in the photo are for station information related to the transmission, commercial information, and other stuff.  The board is smaller and has sliders for volume control.  No more knobs.  There are tables and microphones for guests and artists, who perform in the studio.

It is not a large studio, but then neither was ours in college.  You don't meet that much room to broadcast out.  We got a look at their production areas.  No Reel to Reel here.  All digital editing, including a recording studio, where personalities create on air content.  For example on Saturday nights, there is a Top 25 countdown.  I thought it was done live.  Nope.  Completely recorded in advanced, edited and then played for 2 hours. 

For me, I was amazed because I have not been in a radio studio in a long time and it was a great treat.  Thank you WGEV for the college memories and experience, and thank you, WJTL for the tour and some new memories.

The other Big "C" for me

This post is not about Cancer.  No, this is about Cancer Prevention.  When men reach a certain age, usually at 50, it's time for a Colonoscopy.  I've heard horror stories about it.  That you have to drink gallons of bad tasting stuff. (not gallons)  That you cannot eat for days (well,a day).  That you can feel sick and nauseous.  It was basically nothing good. 

In May, I turned 50, and now it's my time.  Tomorrow is my outpatient surgery, and so tonight, I am up in our bedroom waiting it out.  I took half of the Suprep (what is is called), along with 16 oz of water within the first hour of taking the prep.  I take the 2nd half tomorrow morning at 5 am, with more water.  I need to be completely finished 4 hours before I report at 10 am.  Another day off work at least.

The prep was a 6 oz bottle, mixed with cold water to fill up a 16 oz container that comes with the kit.  I must have been thirsty, because I chugged it all down.  It is sort of grape flavored and pasty.  Well, about an hour later, it all started.  No need for further explanation.

My day at work was busy after a 4 day vacation, and I drank tea and Powerade.  All I wanted to do was eat something.  Anything.  I cannot eat until after the surgery tomorrow.   When I got home from work, my step-daughter told me she made pancakes because she thought it would be something I was not interested in.  I would be interested in anything, like the cardboard the pancake mix comes in.

I am thankful for my wife, who is picking up my daughter from work, so I can stay near the bathroom.  I am watching the Olympics and doing some bills.  The dog is with me, and the cat just left the room. 

I did not know what to expect.  So far, no nausea.  Not much appetite, although I can have broth, jello and more water.  Only yellow, orange, or green colored popsicles, jello, or liquids. 

Of course, I am looking for a good result after the outpatient surgery.  My wife is my driver and companion tomorrow and we will see what happens.  I can send out an update after this is all over.

Accept and Accepted

Hello everyone.  It has been a while since my last posting.  A lot has been going on here, including preparing for vacation, yard sales, and house projects.  Let's see how this post will turn out.

I have been involved with Celebrate Recovery as a Men's Small Group leader for that past 4 years. We meet weekly and have a large group worship (Music, lesson or testimony), and a small group share.  We close our large group with the Serenity Prayer.  Part of the prayer goes like this:

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.  The courage the change the things I can.  And the wisdom to know the difference."

So, what have I learned to accept in my life.  That is not an easy question, because at age 50, I am still discovering things about myself.  Once you realize that you can never escape yourself--that you are always with, well, you--it changes your perspective.

Here are some things I have come to accept.  Some of these things I cannot change.  Others, I will need courage and God's help to change.  Can I gain the wisdom to know the difference?  That is the question.

-I accept that I am an only child and grew up selfish.  That I never learned to interact with a brother or sister, so sharing was something that I did learn how to do very easily.

-I accept that my family of origin shaped me into who I am for better or worse.

-I accept that I am not easy to get along with.  That my behavior in the past has alienated me from developing close relationships.  And even though I would like to be included in activities with other married couples, I may be the one that affects that decision.

-I accept that God came into my life at age 17, and radically changed the trajectory of my life.  This influenced my decision to attend a Geneva College, and be active in the churches I have attended ever since.

-I accept that my shortcomings during my first marriage contributed to an eventual divorce.  There were many factors on both sides-however, I was able to persevere thanks to God's grace.

-I accept that I made mistakes as a father to my (2) children.  However, it is never to late to change them.  I also accept that I did many things right, and continue to develop and maintain a relationship with them.

-I accept that I am not working at where I want to be, but that God has me there for a reason and his timing is always perfect.  He is allowing me to provide for my household and blended family.

-I accept that I am far from a perfect husband.  I have many issues to work out, and will continue to do so.  Thank goodness for the Grace that God provides each day.

-And I accept that God is not finished with me yet.  That I am running a race that will not be completed until I leave this world when he calls me home.

Well, that was some list.  After all that, I often think "Can anyone accept me for who I am?"  Thank goodness I have an answer of YES.  And you do also.  That answer is God, through his son Jesus.  He accepts me for who I am, in spite of myself.  In fact, we loved me before I was even born.  He loved me so much that he died for me, and for you.  The neat thing is that God meets us where we are, in the condition we are in.  We don't have to change.  Our desire to change and be more like Him happens when we receive him in our life. 

It is am amazing feeling to know that God accepts me and does not stop that acceptance.  His Grace is poured out daily, and his love covers a multitude of sins.  If you have a down day, or feel like giving up, remember that God loves you and accepts you for who you are, and that will never change.

Thank you...

Hey everyone,

Just a short note to thank you--yes YOU--for reading and supporting this blog.  I wanted to express my appreciation, call a few people out, and thank everyone else.

Thank you to Rich Deruter, who commented on a post I did years ago.  You were my "God sighting," as it were, telling me to continue the Blog that I let go for a while.  You helped me decide to get back and write again.

Thank you to the Gravel Hill Church Community for your support over the years, especially over the last year during my wife's Chemo and Radiation.  She is on recovery road, but has a way to go  (The after effects can last for years)  Many of you have taught me patience, endurance, and have encouraged me to use my gifts to help others.

Thank you to my children and step-children for making sure I know there is more to life than just myself.  Growing up as an only child can keep you gaze inward.  You are helping me to look outward more and more.

Thank you to my friends, both virtual online, and in person.  I appreciate your encouragement and comments.  You keep me grounded.

And Thank you to my wife for her unwavering support.  I am not easy to live with, believe me.  While we admit, we are both a mess, we somehow fit together, using our separate talents to compliment our weak areas.  You have been an inspiration to others during your Cancer fight (which by the way everyone is in remission, and her latest mammogram was given an all clear!!!!)
You let me write about whatever I want, and still put up with me.  I love you.

There is a place on my Blog where you can choose to follow me.  I am currently working on adding Facebook and Twitter tags, and figuring out how you can subscribe to the blog so updates get sent directly to you.  This blog is hosted on blogger.com, which is Google based and wants to build you follows off of Google+  (We all know how that turned out....does anyone use Google+?)

Anyway, look for more updates soon.