Category: Uncategorized (Page 15 of 23)

Not a National Holiday yet—maybe never will be, but February 7, virtually world-wide, is “Ice Cream for Breakfast Day.” Whew! you found out just in time to plan your breakfast celebration. Some sixty years ago, as the story goes, February 7 in Rochester, New York , was a cold, snowy day. The children of Florence Rappaport understandably, had—well, “cabin fever!” Desperately trying to think of an activity, that would entertain them, she said—kind of off the top of her head—“Let’s have Ice Cream for Breakfast.” It was a hit! The next year on February 7, according to the story, Florence Rappaport’s children insisted on celebrating “Ice Cream for Breakfast Day.”

Apparently, through her children, it spread to become celebrated globally. Growing up, as they dispersed around the globe they continued celebrating the Day; their enthusiasm for the day caught on widely. The Day is celebrated typically in Ice cream shops. A variety of charitable fundraising events are held on “Ice Cream For Breakfast Day!”

Florence Rappaport and her children never had any idea that her desperate search for relief that bitter cold day would erupt into such glowing celebrations. What a wonderfully creative way Mrs. Rappoport lucked upon, to entertain her children. Now the idea blesses multitudes; I am sure it not only saved her tears and distress at the time, but also spreads untold joy to many for years to come.

It is immensely important to mix joy and fun into daily life. And, of course The Bible affirms “a merry heart!” As scores of parents have learned in this Pandemic, Television cannot bring the fundamental joy and fun necessary to round out family or social enrichment. The germ of spontaneity is as necessary as are variety and depth. The media, so far have not spawned very much of that.

An excellent, creative idea does not necessarily need to “go viral,” as is fairly popular on Social Media. It can serve effectively and well for the moment. Not long ago I experienced such a moment. I injured my finger at the gym and couldn’t stop the blood flow. It was closing time and the receptionist did not have the necessary supplies in the First Aid kit. So she improvised; I was able to wear the ad hoc patch she created till the next day when I could get proper care. (My finger healed nicely!) Care and spontaneity make up that “little bit of sugar that (makes) the medicine go down.”

I think of another “on-the-spot” fix that brought joy to a mother and her friends at an important time. In Cana of Galilee, an impressive wedding was taking place. Jesus, his family, and his friends were there. When his mother discovered the wine had run out, she came to Jesus, and said “They have no more wine.” He fixed that problem. It saved face for his friend the host, and brought cheer to the whole gathering.

As is always true, change came; Ice Cream For Breakfast Day, seems to have become settled for the First Saturday in February! That’s tomorrow. Be joyfully creative. Celebrate! Tell your family, “We’re having Ice Cream for Breakfast come Monday!” Let me know how that turns out, dear Reader. You and I both will be surprised—one way or another.

This is the time of year when throughout the South, Hastings’ Seed Catalogues typically arrive in mailboxes. Starting in 1827 Hastings’, through its (now colorful) catalogs, inspired generations of gardeners. The catalogs’ arrival is perfectly timed; as I write this, ice covers my deck! All but the most tenacious leaves are gone from my Oak, Hickory, and poplar trees. My Corgi looks at me like, “You can’t mean I have to go out onto that ice in this polar weather! I think I’ll just hold it a while longer!” As for me, my winter coat, ski cap, crampons, and gloves are nearby! The National Weather Service shows that our local temperature will not rise from an overnight freeze more than four (4) degrees today.

Into all this wintery mix of gloom, cold, and wet misery, comes hope; the Seed Catalogs! Their pages radiate a rainbow of brilliant, sparkling colors; shiny red tomatoes, rows of emerald green corn, squash bursting in bright yellow, purple eggplants aglow among their soft green plants, and bright arrays of other luscious fruits and vegetables flesh out the pages! They explode prismatic in the midst of this day’s dreary weather. The Seed Catalogs almost shout “There is hope!” Even though I have nothing even close to a “Green Thumb” these pages almost tempt me to grab a shovel and dig into gardening.

The Cherokee Garden Library, at the Atlanta History Center, says Historic seed and nursery catalogs are windows into our horticultural past. They tell us which plants and seeds were available in different time periods. The catalogs include valuable information on varieties, requirements for growing, and planting schedules in addition to trends in Southern farming, gardening, and landscape design. Most of all, those seed catalogs herald hope! Springtime is coming! That is the joy of Seed and Nursery catalogs; hope.

Henri Nouwen places great emphasis on hope; a person of hope looks beyond the fulfillment of urgent wishes and desires…and offers a vision beyond human suffering…-because of of the Eternal Promise given. I think of the Captain of a sailing ship. Once launched from shore, the ship’s course is guided by the stars (even modern electronics depend on magnetic pull—as well as Satellite connections). The distant shore is yet unseen by the captain. Wind, rain, storms, tides, rage against the ship. Mid-course corrections must be made constantly because of earth rotation. Yet the captain remains confident of the distant port; hope in action.

Abraham is the prototype of a person of hope. At age seventy five, he heard God’s call; Imagine yourself at age 75. What would be your response to that gauzy call? He was called to leave his 75 year-old homeplace and “Go…” to where he did not know— “…a place I will show you,” he was told. So he, his wife, family, and basically the entire home place packed up and left….for parts unknown. He had hope, because of God’s Promise. He traveled until God settled him down. Abraham’s journey left what I have called “An Altar Dotted Trail”—marking his path of hope and obedience toward that Promise.

We are the ones who can plant seeds of hope. There’s an old Indian proverb, Blessed is he who plants trees under whose shade he will never sit. We are living now our legacy for generations to come. We can raise the ante by the kind of seed catalog we leave. An ancient Christian writer said, hope “…is the evidence of things not seen.”

The Apostle Paul believes hope is always a vision of things not seen. Not a misty, vapor-like mirage; but hope based on his process of extrapolating. He projects a deep sense of joy-filled hope. I like the seeds of hope Paul plants. What seeds are you planting?

My iPhone is called a “Smartphone.” I beg to differ. I call it a “Smartypants” phone. 1) When I get a call from a number not in my contacts, usually it instantly tosses the call to Voicemail. That could be a good thing. Not so much when I’m waiting for a healthcare or Social Security follow up call; typically these come without the necessary Caller ID number—then I have to go through their call tree (delay-delay) again. 2) My iPhone text/email feature has an especially annoying “Autocorrect.” I’m sure you are familiar with the feature; here’s sample I found online of what autocorrect did to a Text message:

Boy 1: How was the date?
Boy 2: Not that great. First date we went to dinner and then I killed her in the woods outside her house and left
Boy 1: Killing her seems a bit harsh.
Boy 2: KISSED! KISSED!

Autocorrect is a graphic reminder that words can tangle and tear. You’ve heard the old aphorism, ‘Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me’. Apparently this version originated in March 1862 in an American periodical, The Christian Recorder, with a largely African-American audience. We are learning that “Sticks and stones” can and do hurt. Think Bullying. Note the seemingly pervasive occurrence of bullying these days; words cut, but the bleeding is not only blood—it goes deeper. The Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament gives clear instructions for speaking and listening. Mostly we don’t do enough of the latter.

The Epistle of James names and blames “the tongue” for all manner of mischief. Of course the tongue with its words can and often does bless; but the warning from James is this—words can become sticks and stones, and damage results. There was a time in the final days of Jesus’ life where words were devastating for him. We will never know if Jesus’ outcome of would have been different if Simon Peter had spoken differently. But we do know that his words greased the skids for Jesus’ execution on the following day.

I think of at least three occasions in the Bible where appropriate words of assistance were used; urgent messages communicated significant positive outcomes. The first is Moses. (Read Genesis, chapter 3 for background). God had a global Paradigm shift in mind. Moses said he couldn’t answer God’s call because he had a speech impediment. God said, “I have a translator for you! (RWV–Revised Willis Version). And it worked. Mightily. Appropriate words matter.

I think of Gideon. God’s messenger met with Gideon to assign a tall, terrifying task: to save Israel from the marauding Midianites! Gideon protested. Repeatedly. But Gideon heard encouraging words. He heard clear commands. He heard words that worked their way into his very soul. Instead of hiding, as he had been doing, he rose to the responsibilities, and carefully chose a cadre of able men; following the Lord’s lead, Gideon and his men conquered the Midianites! .

Then, there’s that interesting interlude on the Roman highway; After the disciples had quite a successful preaching mission on their way to Jerusalem, God intervened. Phillip was culled out of that group and sent South. He had barely gotten into the line of traffic when he saw someone in a chariot, trying to read Scripture. He pulled over and asked the man if he understood what he was reading? The man didn’t understand the words. Turns out, the man, bewildered by the text, was the Treasurer of the queen of the Ethiopians. As Phillip was able to interpret the text (words, again) it opened up a galaxy of opportunity for the early Christian Movement to spread.

While a Smartypants phone and its Autocorrect can be annoying, if not sometimes embarrassing or stultifying, it can be a useful tool of communication. It just requires careful use of, and attention to—-words.

Now you know!

There is virtually a barrel of words in the family of the word service; serving, servant, performance, help, use, benefit–to name a few. One definition I like comes from Merriam-Webster; useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity.  In a word, “service” is not for sale. In the last century, “Service Stations” populated street corners and along highways. When a customer pulled up to the gas pumps, a cheerful attendant hopped to the driver’s window asking what was needed. While the gas tank was filling, he checked the oil, and water levels, washed the windshield, checked tire pressure, and collected for the sale. That was service.

Later those chores were tacitly determined to be commodities, and withdrawn. Now you pay for all other commodities you chose, as well as for fuel,. Similar services evaporated in most retail stores. Oh. Sure you can locate “services” almost anywhere; that’s how they’re advertised but you pay for them. (For example Servicemaster, a great company that carries “service” in its name (I can tell you of a great experience with them.) But in our culture, “service” is hijacked for $$$.

This upcoming weekend celebrates a “Great Day of Service.” —and it is NOT a commodity foisted on us. It is in and out, up and down,—service, useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity. AmeriCorps has the day of service listed in its website. An outgrowth of Martin Luther King Day of Service, the concept caught on widely. It is observed not only nationally, but also globally. Businesses, corporations, churches, and communities set aside the day (some set the entire weekend) to be of service to the community; Their volunteer efforts produce astonishing results of their volunteers’ service.

I found an example not far from my home in the Atlanta Metro area; A local United Methodist Church list of its volunteer community services in 2021. The list follows: (did I say volunteer?!)

• 1,000 pounds of food packed for The Community Assistance Center
• 175 Hygiene Kits packed for various homeless shelters
•60 Package of Hope food bags assembled for walk-in clients needing assistance
• 50 Blessing Bags assembled for Wesley Woods Senior Living
• 40 bags packed for Partnership Against Domestic Violence
• 30 kits assembled for Wellroot Independent Living
• 20 blankets made for Wellspring Living
• 20 pairs of shoes assembled for Sole Hope
• 18 dresses sewn for Mully Children’s Family
• A door installed at Hightower Homework Club
• Landscaping completed at Dunwoody UMC
• Landscaping & lattice repair at Wellspring Living
• Clothing collected for Drake House
• Over 600 cookies were baked and delivered to 10 different locations for Police Officers, Firemen and health care workers (including Dunwoody Urgent Care, Emory St. Joe’s Hospital, Piedmont Hospital and Northside Hospital).

The Disciples of Jesus thought they were really following him, but he still needed to teach them about service.; It was far from what they had conceived. It was about caring and doing for others first.There is today a prominent concept in Management Training and Practice; ‘Servant Leadership.” An oversimplified definition is  empowering employees, and assuring the well-being of those around them-–management, employees, and customers.

The Apostle Paul’s Paradigm of service is found in the Church (the Body of Christ) compared with the human Body. In another epistle, he points out how much we need each other (service in another form). Not simply needing each other, we are dependent on each other. If one fails in a task/service, someone else has to take up the task. I learned this when I dislocated my shoulder. A torn muscle no longer works. The Physical Therapist showed me how in the absence of that muscle, other muscles will pinch-hit to a remarkable degree.

May your service help to build The Beloved Community!

The old aphorism “You tend to find what you look for,” is a link of encouragement for me. First, let’s acknowledge that it can also have a negative connotation—and examples are abundant; if you look for the negative, you will find it; same for errors; and for debauchery. But I digress.

I am convinced that there is a deep hunger in our hearts for exemplary leadership and guidance. It is something akin to what St. Augustine once said; “There is a God-shaped vacuum in every (one) that only Christ can fill.” It does not suggest that we all are wearisome tagalongs. We long for exemplary character among our “friends, Romans, and countrymen,” creating an environment of character, compassion, and commitment.

On a different scale, isn’t that a purpose of science fairs, sports events, and contests? I recently watched a sports event where there was a magic moment after it ended; The head coaches of each team met on the field, embraced and chatted. One had won. The other had lost. But in the camera close up, with something of a lingering camera shot, it was clear that the two coaches respected each other, and appreciated the good work each put on the field.

I cannot forget exemplary behavior we saw—at the Tokyo Olympics. An American and a Botswanan runner, each tripped and fell near the finish line; Jewett and Amos. They turned to each other, helped one another up, put their arms around each other and finished the heat together. One commentator said, They were 54 seconds behind the winner. But in this case, time didn’t matter. That is exemplary behavior. And that one time is not singular. There is a rich mine of similar stories of character, caring, and compassion—in sports and otherwise—showing exemplary metal of basic humanity.

 There is a story in the Old Testament of a man of exemplary character; he had the courage to call out the debauchery of king David. You remember the story; While the Israelites were battling the Ammonites, David stayed in the Palace alone. He was tempted when he saw Bathsheba next door, naked. David sent men to take (not invite) her to him (an early #Me Too event?). David’s moral compass took a nosedive into depravity; forced Sex, chicanery, deception, and murder ensued. The Prophet Nathan went to his king and cornered him. He told a parable that was a graphic representation of David’s descent into debasement. Upon hearting this story, David was horrified, and said the man was demonic, and should be dealt with dramatically. Nathan told David.“You are that man!” The Prophet Nathan was about as Exemplary as one can get. By the way, Psalm 51 graphically recalls David’s redemption.

I view President Jimmy Carter (politics aside,) as an exemplary person; in character, compassion, caring, and a life well lived. His exemplary character tends to increase almost daily. Oh, I know; in today’s social climate, no one escapes criticism. Even good works can be conflicted, or accused of being so; a few decades ago, Professor Will Cuppy wrote a book, “The Decline and Fall of Practically Everybody.” An extensively researched, as well as a whimsy tome, Cuppy found unusually funny flaws (some not that funny) in the great people of history. However, flawed as we all are, it is important that we identify and exalt exemplary people among us; not to glamorize them, but to affirm and magnify the standards they represented.

And. It is not always the famous whose exemplary lives’ greatly matter. I can think of many who never made it in the books, the press— likely not even into into their county newspaper! Grandmother Jewel Moore. Ms Hazel Bedgood. Dr. Bird Daniel. Rev. Jack Key. Rev. Dr. Jerry Phillips. That’s a few of mine. Now, it’s your turn—