Christian Cadence a la Cahoona

Sobering . . .

2012-02-04T14:00:00.000-06:00

Many of you may have come across this long ago. It's been around for over a year or two, I think. I just came across it yesterday.

A lot of people feel this way and it's pretty thought provoking:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KGlBHyVeYU&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv&src_vid=4KGlBHyVeYU&annotation_id=annotation_37902&v=oRxMQhn0WAg

Pray for Barach, Michelle, and family every day. It will do you good no matter your personal views.

May God truly bless His People.

I Am Blessed

2012-01-06T23:59:00.000-06:00

Rarely, throughout my life, have I ever had much luck in getting anyone to sympathize with my golf game. When I've tried to evoke such from friends and other loosely assorted acquaintances, they've always gotten this dark look about themselves and I often heard them muttering under their breath, something along this line: "Sandbagger! Who's he tryin' to fool? Don't play HIM for money today!"

I never totally understood those reactions. To my recollection, I never mis-spoke about the state of my golf game and thusly never understood why I was never taken to be telling the truth. On occasion after such confessions, my game would spontaneously, without warning, erupt into a greater than ever dimension. Perhaps that is why? Those rare times when it was hurting and I dared bare myself to someone about it, consternation would still abound within me when educing such responses from others.

The last many months, I've especially gone out of my way to emote over the pitiful state of my game, to anyone that would listen and often to those, who could of cared less about such. You may be relating to that with what you are currently feeling as you peruse this blog.

Putting it mildly: It has been a devastatingly downward spiral I've had to endure. One, probably which, much lesser men than Cahoona could ever have withstood.

When par had become routine regardless of the layout, and it was the number of strokes under such you could achieve, that dominated your thoughts each time you teed it up, warm, fuzzy, memories were created often over the years. There never seemed a reason the begetting of such scores would ever cease to be. It was those experiences which adumbrated my entire existence paralleling the like dominance of golf in my life.

In a relatively short time, I've agonized from being one of the top golfers in any golfing scenario just about anywhere, in the amateur ranks, to one of those filling the largest aggregate of golfers in the game who simply should find other pursuits to follow. They are, and therefore, now, I am, simply that bad!!

Having badly neglected my physical structure throughout most of my life in diet and maintenance, but having had little if any painful fallout as a result all of my life, when the factor of age began to finally hone in on me as well as the most fickle of accidents and injures began to abound, my golf game began to wilt quicker and faster than any of those spineless republicans of whit you might be aware. In spite of how my shame pullulates in every crevice of my being comprehending current reality, I've seemingly had no ability to overcome my golfing demise.

I mean, I feel I still am doing everything that I used to do, but nothing results save ignominious number totals reflecting the current effort at performing in the sport I used to accomplish with little effort or thought. I used to proclaim to all -- reflecting my disdain for those decrepit beings who populated such ranks -- if I was damned to shoot in the 80's or higher every time I played the game, "I'll never be caught dead doing so!"

Guess what? Cahoona in the past several months, has gone through spells when breaking 100 was maddeningly tolerated. As of the past several weeks, my constant goal has been to break 80! I seldom have done so, but such is the aim each time I hit the links.

I've had all sorts of issues arise within me. But, basically, the main hit came as a result of air bags spontaneously exploding in one of my vehicles over a year ago, wrenching my back into such an instantaneous, awkward angle, I may never again be the same. My back is constantly in pain restricting my golf swing to nothing but arms alone, with absolutely no twisting of the body allowed, as well as no visible backswing, whatsoever. I can't even do much of a follow through.

In my prime, my playing partners always then proclaimed if I had a back swing, it wasn't apparent. I'd have to take video, play it in slow motion, to prove to them I had one. That was always a negative in itself, because my swing was so ugly when viewed by me, it would take weeks to overcome the trauma of having actually viewed it myself. It's no wonder few could ever beat me at the game as they had to watch me play!

When playing with me now, they gasp, then laugh, and assure me that it can't presently even be caught on video. I have little ambition to try to prove them wrong with my camcorder. I'm mentally distraught enough, now, without having to contend with the HD image of my swing as well!

Can you imagine going from a plus handicap in golf, in a relatively short time, to where you have difficulty breaking 100, finally settling consistently down in that disgusting 80's-plus world? When you begin to comprehend the full effect of that, perhaps then, you will finally commence to comprehend the survival mentality of this man called Cahoona. He has edured the worst, yet still subsists!

With such losses to the backswing, my drives top out at about 160 on the fly. (Only with the latest new technology and when purely struck.) They occasionally will roll an additional 20-30 yards if the wind is strong enough behind me and the fairways are dry. Don't even try to envision what happens to them when I face a strong head wind!

I hit a full 3-wood from 140-150 yards. I work my #2 hybrid to death covering the span from 120-140 yards!

Those that have played with me in the distant past, may think I'm blowing smoke here. But, I am not kidding. I am deadly serious.

As a result, I play only the Senior Mens' tees and at times, must proceed to the Ladies' tees in order to give myself a shot at reaching the green in regulation with at least a full 3-wood. I refuse to play the game if I have no shot at reaching a green in reg. What's the point?

As you can tell, the golf game of Cahoona's, sucks, big time!!! Still, there's something about that game that makes me ignore my proclamations of earlier years, and sends me out there to our little Country Club, 2-3 times weekly.

Jennings Country Club is a member-owned golf club. It's located in a small populated town of about 12,000 or so. There's nothing wonderful about it, but they do put a lot of member time in on the greens especially, and the fairways are more than adequate. More importantly, the membership is so small, one can easily learn when the course can pretty much be navigated alone by the group or individual playing, all by themselves. Pat and I do this a lot with Alfie. Many, many have been the times in gorgeous weather, we've had the entire layout to ourselves. We call it our own, little Paradise.

Now . . . that was the intro to the thrust of this blog. Rejoice, I'm finally getting around to what I planned on sharing . . .

This morning, about 7:50 AM, Alfie and I struck out for the links. Kara is on an excursion to Dallas, so Mumsy was substituting for her today. It was to be in the 70's again, and even though I hadn't played in weeks due to my back having really acted up, I was feeling fairly good, for me. And, Alfie had been experiencing traumatic golfing withdrawal issues. So, I couldn't resist.

We shared the entire 18 holes with a single on a cart who must have arrived at the club several minutes ahead of me. A walking single was right behind him, and as we drove up, Alf and I noted they both were on the first two holes of the course. So . . . after finding a place for Alfie to relieve himself in the woods (I don't let him do it on the course.), I decided to head for the 4th tee and start my round there.

It was a routine start. I slapped a pitiful half push to the right rough. I had a full 3-wood into the par 4 hole, and promptly hit it fat into the water hazard fronting the green. I knocked a full pitching wedge from 40 yards through the green, chipped back about 12 feet past the hole, then pulled my putt off-line enough from my intended line, to actually knock it squarely in the hole for my normal double bogey start.

Months ago, I would have begun a real self pity campaign within myself as well as tossing a club or two while thinking about my valiant past in this pursuit. But, after months of such, I've finally pretty well resigned myself to such results.

Not really. I've pretty much stopped doing that because, the last time I did so with a nearly new high tech driver, carefully with clarity of thought and sober assent, tossing it some 40 yards or so, my not at all submissive wife, drove hastily to the landing area of the said shafted disillusionment. Demonically, she sprung from the golf cart almost stomping down Alfie in the process, grabbed the extra long brut of a driver, promptly launching it back in my direction, with no mental control or forethought.

It seemed to spin forever in its wild arc in my general direction. Then, with a loud, smashing metalic sound, it landed driver head first, on the concrete golf cart path. Somewhat now in a apprehensive panic, I immediately glared at her in complete anger.

She simply jumped on the cart and headed on down the path toward her tee box. But not before uttering an obnoxiously loud, witch like giggle while screaming to the wind, "You deserve that! From now on, when you throw a club, I get to throw the same club wherever I please!"

But at least today, she was nowhere around. Alf is a far more loyal, comforting companion during such catastrophic moments. Still, with great mental constraint, I just simply picked the ball up and moved to the next tee.

There, I promptly cloned the prior drive, was unable to reach the par 4 with a full 3-wood, pitched it up to about 4 feet from the cup, and moments therafter, made a five footer coming back, for bogey.

There you go. I was feeling pretty normal. I had gotten off to my normal start: 3-over after two easy 4-pars.

It was then a funny nuance began to develop. The ball actually began to go where I was mentally intending it to go. I parred holes #6-8.

Our #9, is a par 3 "dogleg" (Literally that, when they place the pin on the back, far right side of the green, just over the water hazard fronting the entire right side of the green, protected by a huge live oak tree in front of the water hazard, forcing a left to right tee shot to navigate past it to the pin.) It plays about 170 for the men. The 'ol farts play it at about 135.

You can't be short, so I took out a 3-wood, tried to cut it in from left to right, but pushed it instead, dead at the tree and the water hazard. There went the round, or so I thought.

Somehow -- it must have been God -- the ball hit on the down slope of the bank going into the front of the water hazard, careened into the air over the hazard hitting the up side of the bank on the other side, just short of the green, kicking my ball off into the right rough. I was still in play and promptly, niftily got up and down from a precarious lie, for a routine par with a ten foot putt.

With a look over my shoulder for the two singles behind me -- verifying I had time to do so, I drove over to the vacant first tee, and commenced to play the first three holes I had bypassed earlier.

For me, #1, about 305 yards in length from the old farts' tee, with water everywhere and OB down the right side, I split the fairway with a fine drive leaving only a 3-hybrid into the green from about 120 yards out. With little self confidence, not yet believing the ball would do what I wanted, I knocked the approach over the water hazard and tree guarding the left side of the green, about four feet from the cup, and calmly cratered my 3 foot putt coming back after not even hitting the hole on the first putt, for a routine par.

#2 for the old farts, is a 125 yard par 3. It was playing into a slight wind. It has water right up against the green on the front and left side, OB just 4 paces off the right side of the green, and OB 10 paces behind the very narrow Bermuda target. I quickly thought back over the past few holes and realized the ball was going where I intended it to go. So. . . "Why not believe it will continue to do that?"

I did. I hit the 2-hybrid three feet from the cup and drained the birdie.

Number 3 is a 90-degree dogleg right, with OB right the entire length and water left, of about 330 yards. I have to hit my drives about 165 from the old fart tees, to have an open shot into the green. Otherwise, you just simply have to waste a shot by chipping a few yards more to get to an opening for your third shot into the green.

I was once again becoming a believer in myself. I smoked a 173 yard drive down the left edge of the fairway, into the rough. I casually took out my 3-wood for the remaining 147 yards to the pin, caught it flush, and so knew I had surely stiffed it, I quit watching the flight.

Alas, it had hit ten yards short of the green, on the short cut fringe type grass, and semi-plugged. I picked the ball up, cleaned off the mud, and promptly jammed the putt of about 30 feet, straight against the pin, and into the hole for another birdie!

Friends and countrymen: I had just toured our front nine, in 1-over, 37! My back began to even feel better!

Alfie and I headed for the more open, but tougher to score on, back nine. It takes about 2-3 minutes to get there by cart, and I began to gag on the thought of maybe shooting close to par on this another, fine SW Louisiana, January day. (Such winter days I have come to love! It's supposed to last, BTW, up through next Friday, when unfortunately, the highs are supposed to dip back down into the low 60's and upper 50's, approaching freezing at night. Our average lows this time of year are the upper 40's with the lower 60's being the average highs.)

#10 has often spelled doom to me. I have to utilize the fairer sex tees there to have any shot of reaching the fairly long, dogleg left, par 4 in regulation. Confronting my tee shot, are trees just left and in front of my target area as well as a water hazard. I normally have trouble negotiating the water even from the girlie markers. Today, however, having put more pressure on myself by contemplating breaking 80, I pretty much duplicated my tee shots from the first two holes I had played, thusly avoiding those issues. I found myself in the right rough, about 130 yards out from the water protected on the right, green.

Once again, the #2 hybrid was launched as I had envisioned, but because of the narrowness of the elevated green and the relatively low amount of spin I'm able to muster on that club, it hit hole high, about 2 feet left of the pin, going on through the green. I 2-putted from the fringe for another par.

#11 is a 142 yard par 3 with a water hazard on the right, around which, the small letter "r" shaped green, bends. The tee is elevated, so you hit down to it.

The greens at our club, are made up of Bermuda grass. When mowed low as they often do in the growing season, they are treacherous at times. I once had a 3-foot putt from even with the hole, on #17, that began to die at the hole, but then lipped out, picked up steam, and rolled 65 feet down the front of the green and well into the fringe. They are often Augusta like in nature.

This time of year, when the grass is dormant and it's been dry, they become deadly!

There is an elevated ridge that runs from front to back of #11, right through the middle of the green. The flag this morning, was just at the bottom of that ridge on the right back portion of the green.

Never mind. I was beginning to think and believe like I used to, years prior. Having dropped my ball on the turf about two yards behind the markers, from 144 yards on an elevated tee, I grabbed my 44" Killer Bee 3-wood and struck the ball exactly as I had envisioned.

With a little cut purposely executed upon it, the ball landed just on the left bottom of the ridge, moved right losing speed as it climbed to the apex of the ridge, almost died there, but instead, as intended, began picking up speed again, heading toward the hole. This time, I was watching. Remember, I had begun to believe in myself once again.

The ball hit the low side of the cup, lipped upward toward the hole, but disappointedly rolled on by another 5 feet or so. Still, having made a treacherous 3 foot down hiller to save par a few seconds later after a missed, thundering, uphill birdie jab, I was partially fulfilled, momentarily.

#12 is a dogleg right par 5. From the men's tees, it's about 530 yards and most good golfers can get there in two, but the second shot is all carry over water protecting the green front and right. From the 'ol fart tees, it's only about 490.

I spanked a drive down the middle. The water hazard there is large and begins on the left side of the fairway, about 160 yards from the green. From my tee ball, I had trees to contend with on the right, so I had to pull off a cut shot, into a wind, to avoid going into the water on the left, avoid the trees on the right, yet hit it far enough to leave me some sort of shot in reg to the green.

My 460 CC driver can execute a cut off the fairway, if I catch it, every time. So . . . I pulled the big dog out.

I caught it pretty good, but, it was straight as a line and headed for the water hazard. Somehow, some way, it landed and kicked just enough right, I was in the rough about 10' to the side and behind the water, which I then had to negotiate to obtain the green. This left me 95 yards to the pin which was down on the bottom of the green, just a few paces from the edge of the water.

The green itself goes sharply uphill, from front to back. As I implied prior, with dormant Bermuda on these greens, one thing you do not want to do ever do, is get above the hole.

So . . . I was in a dilemma. The pressure of still being just 1-over, had subsided somewhat, again, returning me to my prior years in this game when nothing bothered me. But . . . what to hit?

My 6-hybrid, goes about 100 yards when caught flush. My 7-iron, will carry 90-95 yards. So, I opted for the iron.

I didn't catch it great and was reaching for another ball as that one was surely destined to fall into the water short of the green, or backup back into it.

Marvelously and miraculously, it did neither!

Much like on the prior hole which almost netted me an ace, it hit just on a small ridge about 6' long and left of the hole, then slowly began its side hill, trickle descent downward . . . . . . . . . . . . AND INTO THE HOLE!!!!!!

Lord A Mercy! Cahoona had eagled! Does anyone know how long that has been!? Can anyone rejoice with me?

For many years at the country club in Crowley, I was #1 in numbers of birdies and eagles made annually there in their dogfights. (As well as double bogies, BTW.) But, during all those years, eagles were easily attained via putting. Certainly not so, anymore.

Alfie hadn't noticed anything as he was still scouting ahead, looking for another squirrel to chase down. But, joy began to abound within Cahoona and even more so, when he realized he was now 1-under after 12 holes!!!!!!! I won't bore us any further with finely detailed action. But, needless to say, I was on a high.

I didn't even have problems with our #1 handicap hole, #15, chipping about 15 feet by, then canning the par putt.

It was subsequent to that, when I promptly began to bleed on #16,
3-putting from just a few feet! After almost dumping my approach into the water hazard on the left of #17 green, I canned a 6 footer for par.

If he birdied the par-5 18th, Cahoona would shoot under par! If I parred it, par would be just about as savory.

I reverted to my day's start by hitting a sickly drive into the rough on the right, just short of the OB, next to the driving range. I now had trees blocking me from the front and right, and had to hit some sort of cut for the second shot, long enough, to be able to attain the green in reg. So . . . (Did I tell you before how my driver never fails me in such circumstances?) . . .

"Surely the 460 CC driver won't let me down again!"

I pulled the big dog out and he once again blasted a purely hit ball from the rough, but on a straight line for the water hazard around the 6th green, with nary a thought of a cut! The raised, cart path edge slowed it down just enough, to keep it 3 feet short of the water.

I now had 145 yards of cut shot remaining to the green, to get around the trees on the left side of #18, now, on my right. In addition, I had to clear a water hazard just short of the short grass, requiring a carry of about 140 yards, with the cut, a bit downwind.

Cahoona was up to the task! He promptly sculled his selected 3-wood straight into the hazard.

But . . . I dropped out with penalty, pitched the ball from about 35 yards out to a side hill, downhill, lightening fast 6 foot putt. I was disgusted. After traipsing across the bridge to the putting surface, and climbing the slope to my resting ball, I carelessly brushed it and the ball slammed itself into the back of the cup, seemingly extending its width several more centimeters! (Had it not hit the cup, it would have rolled down the entire green, off the fringe, and back into the water hazard.)

Cahoona shots 1-over, 73! Where years before he would have been so disgruntled with such a score, Cahoona is happy tonight! There is joy on Canal Street in Estherwood!

So . . . how was YOUR day today, Friday, January 6th, 2011? Par or sub par?

Be blessed!

CAHOONA & SON

2012-01-05T14:18:00.001-06:00

Most who read my verbiage, are aware that I have two wonderful children. Some are probably not aware.

For the moment, Kara Lynne and her husband, Sam LeBleu, live right next door to us on our property here in Estherwood. Kara is in her 8th year of teaching having just replaced her retiring mother as school librarian, while Sam works for an offshore oil rig repair firm, estimating, as well as beginning his own electrician business.

Hardy Justin and wife, Sarah, as well as recently born granddaughter, Natalie, reside in Montgomery, Alabama. Hardy J. is a data based systems analyst, or something like that, working for a defense contractor.

The negative news concerning the above information, is that Hardy J., for reasons many families experience, has chosen to distance himself in just about every manner possible, from his family roots. Most of you are aware of this as well.

Having invested almost 100% of my life in him up through college, this has been a difficult hurdle in life to endure. However, God has certainly Graced us with His affirmation that He is Able, in this, as well. We live each second of every day in faith knowledge that the Master will work everything to our better good. Therefore, peace is a constant companion in this realm and it really isn't much of a struggle to leave it all in God's hands.

The good news is that Hardy J. is a very successful young adult. He has excelled in his career field, doing very well in the financial realm, his business reputation, etc. Also, he and his current wife (Both second marriages.) seem very happily in love with each other.

Hardy J. was always a thinker. During the eight years of I taught him in home school, he was taught to think outside the box on all issues, not hesitate to question just about everything to authenticate its validity, and yet, respect authority for its level of oversight granted.

In recent years, he has been given to elucidate his thoughts and reasoning abilities in script, in various forums. He's quite good at this, as well.

One such, currently, is on his blog site at:

http://hardynotsleeping.tumblr.com/

When one ingests much of his keyboard output, it doesn't take long to recognize the logical progressions employed by the chip, as having come largely from and very much reminiscent of, the block, Cahoona. (I'm sure he is not content with that knowledge.)

Alas, In My Obnoxious Opinion (IMOO), these close similarities do NOT carry over into the summaries reached by both. Most often, though reasoning rhetoric employed is hard to distinguish twixt Cahoona & Son, summary statements achieved by such and each, are usually diametrically opposed.

More than anything, this probably stems from Hardy J.'s verbal insistence that he has "progressed" from an ardent, sensitive, firm Christ Believer and preacher. He now resides comfortably -- as he valiantly, yet utilizing some of his weakest logics employed, much too "loudly" proclaims, IMOO -- within the Atheist aggregate.

Nonetheless, I find his thoughts quite often compelling, challenging, and fresh despite the personal recognition of the reasoning traits portrayed.

Below, is a recent post of his from his public blog site. I think it stands tall on several merits.

January 4, 2012

Welcoming My New American Overlord

While everyone was paying attention to the lion tamers and clowns in the Republican Primary Seven Ringed Circus, President Obama went ahead and gave himself the right to put anyone he likes behind bars indefinitely. You, me, your kids, I am not sure if the legislation gives him power over all species or not, but probably your dog is included and can now be detained indefinitely without trial.
SOPA is due for debate in Washington on January 24th. After that you will no longer have free (as in uncensored) access to information on the internet. At least in this case a judge is held responsible for the decision to blacklist a site, because everyone knows they are impartial.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce the new terrorist. Your American Government. They can search you on a whim, strip you with machines, watch you everywhere you go, detain you without trial, and deny your access to information about what they are doing. This is the makings of a totalitarian regime with the guise of being a democracy where you get to choose between the candidates they select.

The 99% crowd does not get it. How could they? They are simply pawns. The world is not about money, it is about power. That is why monetary decisions can be made which jeopardize all of our futures. The poorer we all get because of their decisions, the more afraid and dependent we will become, the more we will let those with power do what they convince us will make us safer.

The Tea Party does not get it either. It is not about taxes or health care. It is about power! Everything has been put into motion to distract us from the power grab that is occurring and it has worked. How many of you out there even know what SOPA is? Or cared about the indefinite detention act? Why would you? Cain & Gingrich have had girl friends, that is far more entertaining.

Martial artist who use a spear as weapon of choice typically place a brightly colored piece of flair on the spear toward the pointy end. The reason being that while they are flailing the spear around you will naturally be drawn to the position of the flair, not the tip, thus giving the spear the ability to strike even when you see it coming. The flair has been the Tea Party, the Occupy “movement”, and the Republican circus. The poisonous tip will change your lives forever.

WILL CAHOONA AND LADY GO VIRAL? HA! -- (Version 2)

2011-12-19T14:15:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas!!!!

That HOT duo, Grammy yearning, national recording artists-wanna be's, from the bayous of SW Louisiana, are at it again! Cover your eyes and plug your ears!

Be blessed . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mBGlZ0lbOs

Then . . . our annual Christmas video for you and yours:

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/aFu2E0dCVlr7rMx7

And, for your viewing pleasure sure to warm your heart, a video of a recent exercise session wth Pat and myself:

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/H1gt8wrvmclluBFn

Have a GREAT Christmas season!

EVOLUTION OF CHURCH LEADERSHIP

2011-11-23T00:47:00.001-06:00

On a relatively few occasions over the years, I've blogged a time or two, on several issues emanating from the grass roots of the Church of the Nazarene (CotN). As I'm sure is the case with many of you, at times I've been swamped with "information" concerning these restless machinations within the CotN membership ranks.

Many times, I have personally responded and dialogued over the years on these issues, privately. Those of you who have read my blogs over the years, have noted (If you've read carefully and not imposed implied meanings on my otherwise neutral words) I seldom take a stance on such issues. I have once or twice, but usually, I simply present what I have encountered for perusal and some reactions I had received, as well as my take on both sides of the matter.

About 18-24 months ago, again probably late to the table as I usually am, I began encountering a great deal of info sent my way, concerning professors, theologians, and Nazarene hierarchy who though publicly seemed to swear to the basic doctrines and articles of faith within the CotN, sometimes in the public realm, and often in the private, they disavowed their personal adherence to certain such precepts.

Years before that, when I was in the so called "loop" before voluntarily withdrawing, I received and actually still retain, original papers, thesis, manuscripts, recordings, etc., which documented factual substantiation of this. In addition to my personal interactions with many, this was occurring to a much larger degree than any of our leadership would have cared to believe. Fact is, they went to great extremes as one of my respondents to my blog site stated a month or two ago, to find complicated, meandering philosophical reasons to continue to keep their heads buried in the sand in these areas.

In my past, one who presided at the very top of our denomination, was more than willing to recognize these Nazarene "rebels" and their authenticity, as well as sympathizing with a few of their claims. Several, in my past, below that rank, likewise -- always in private -- did so.

Within the last few weeks, again I've been recipient of articles and links to the works of Manny Silva, Don Scarlett (BTW, please uphold him in prayer if you will. I understand he's experiencing Chemo for terminal cancer.), etc. As I reread those statements of theirs, some simply rehash from what I had encountered months earlier, I realized anew two different realities within me, which birthed in my being years ago:

I just didn't care that much.
If their claims and charges were true, I really didn't have that much problem with those accusations.

Nonetheless, as I usually do prior to blogging, I did some research over the course of the past recent time. After two "conversations" with CotN leaders, I was still bored as they had given no NEW detail, in spite of how surprisingly open they were with me. I had pretty much decided to respond only personally to the one who had forwarded the last few E-mails to me, as they had been quite worried. I was going to let the public response puppy lay dormant.

Then, on a whim just this week, I decided I'd contact via E-mail, a highly placed, well educated and accepted leader within the CotN, who has a considerable following. Knowing he would NEVER be open with me, I did it more out of honest chicanery, than any other reason.

His expected lack of response was going to be fine with me as over the last several years, I've never known when he was blowing smoke or was actually sharing truth. You simply can never tell with him.

Monday, my wife had just returned from being with her grand baby in Alabama. We were sitting talking and sharing some of our favorite pizza pie from Joe's, when the phone rang, just a couple hours or so after I had sent this leader in the CotN, the attached E-mails.

When I first took the call and uttered a stammering syllable or two while still chewing my chosen dinner entry, I hadn't a clue who was calling. He had stated his name up front, but he hadn't "talked" to me in almost a year and it took me several seconds to recognize who he was. As I wrote above, I NEVER expected ANY response from him, let alone a phone call.

During the hour plus telephonic tirade I endured from him, he let me know he had contacted me thusly to show his outreach of love to me, via this personal form of communication. Interestingly in that regard, he never once inquired about my health (I'm sure he's been apprised of my medical issues of this past year by others.), my wife, my other family members, Alfie, how I was doing, how my golf game was, what was happening in our lives, etc. NONE OF THAT.

And yet, the purported reason for the call, was to reach out in love to me. He simply launched into this long rant concerning the E-mails he had received from me.

I'm pretty sure I may address those further in my blog at some point in the future. But what I'm going to journal about today, is more along the lines of character affirmations he fortified within me, concerning church leadership in all denominations, which for decades I have understood to be. Those issues continue to be a far more interesting probe to me, than whether or not we should pray in mazes, monasteries, or total silence, etc.

I've known this fairly high ranked church leader for a considerable time. We've had personal interactions over the years of varying types. We've clashed often on different issues, and surprisingly, agreed together on several others. (Though I've never heard him publicly proclaim such, as those mutually agreed upon issues concerned traditional stands and views of the CotN and his distance from those of his employer. To my knowledge, he's kept those beliefs close to his vest for good reason.)

I've always admired him though he would seem to publicly distance himself from me over the years. (I guess in order to protect the privacy of his real beliefs on those issues to whit he only publicly disagreed with me on.) From my vantage point, when we had personal interactions, it was ALWAYS a pleasurable thing for both of us. He was one of only a handful of church leaders I actually "liked".

What I desire to address and I promise I will do it at some point, here, is the evolution I've noted in him over the years and how representative it is with the many others of those in church leadership with whom I've had personal association. The evolution I've observed in his character over the years and what was so obviously thrust upon me in the most recent phone call, is very much likened to the great majority of the other church leaders with whom I have interacted in my life.

Though it was dawning within me back in junior high school, one early such realization of this came during one of the 11 years or so I spent messing around at MNU, sometimes as a student, sometimes, not.

I had been kicked out of college a couple times. I was wasting tens of thousands of dollars including government grants and hordes of loans (Burdens of which, none were placed upon my parents. I was responsible for the repayment of ALL those wasted dollars.) As a result, I was only eligible for college sports one year there (Another year at ONU, prior.), and therefore, I had a lot of time on my hands . . . much like I do now. (Only then, I pretty much stayed employed. Now, I don't do much of anything.)

I was well known on campus. Not only was it my stupidity at grappling with life that many were aware of in me, but as well, my creative abilities to minister, write, get published, and accomplish great feats on the golf course. As well, highly visible was my interest in sports and the several years I served as sports editor for the college newspaper. As you can well imagine, I wasn't your normal Nazarene college newspaper editor.

MNU took pride in their students and broadcasting to all, how "free" their student editors were to publish as they saw fit. This was never that true. They ruled with an iron hand and only allowed us to publish what they had approved, or what we somehow had managed to publish without their consent.

There was a college dean at the time, who had about as much "love" for me as my phone friend the other day communicated. He disliked me immensely. Without legal provocation and without my prior knowledge, he had me removed from the newspaper staff.

Hence, under the radar, on my pages, I had one last editorial I was able to get published. In it, I decried the horrific system MNU had instituted upon me, their humble sports editor, in having me removed. I then surmised after several explicit paragraphs depicting the illegal process employed, that what they really wanted in staffing their various student positions, were people that only obeyed commands from above, and NEVER were allowed to be personally creative against such.

In my great editorial wisdom, I got published a fine picture of my then current, Alfie. He was a pure white, American Eskimo Spitz, and I shared how just like Alfie did with me, this college dean did with his superiors in attempts to please them. I further then suggested that Alfie therefore, for reasons I clearly illuminated, would PROBABLY be a better college dean, than the one who delivered me my head on a silver platter. (I still have and cherish that little bit of college excellence that was published in our paper.)

The college president was a life long friend of my family, and me. I had tremendous love and respect for him. You see, then, in all my naivety, I thought our Nazarene college presidents were only selected for their spiritual depth only, and how that would play out to and within the student body. (I know how stupid that was. I had been burned so many times by that time, but still, I believed in the supreme hallowedness of our church leaders. I really didn't think they were human like everyone else. They were a cut above.)

Obviously, denominational sponsored educational institutions, just like all of their churches within their ranks, are first and primary . . . businesses! Our college presidents needed to be spiritual standouts, but would ONLY be accepted, if they had the ability to maintain the college's bottom line. Most local pastors, and especially, DSs, have that as their primary responsibility as well.

The evolution of character which I hope to address at some point in this blog, actually seems to begin at the local church pastoral level. It's very interesting to observe as idealistic, inexperienced ministers take on their first assignments with such zeal, and note how quickly their business acumen becomes first and primary, in ratio to their ability to ascend within the ministerial ranks. We all know this to be true, we just don't like to acknowledge it. (How come increased pastoral compensation to the tune of almost 90% of the time ((IMOO)), is the most obvious variable in a pastor leaving one assignment and moving on up the ranks, to another?)

Anyway . . . after publication of my final sports editorial at that esteemed institution, this wonderful man, this college president, called me into his office. In all my lack of worldly knowledge, I really didn't have a clue why he was asking for my presence. I could only think it was out of love for me and somehow, he was going to continue to share his extreme love for me and my personhood, as he had done all my life.

Obviously, he had another agenda. He said he had called me in out of concern for myself and of his great love for me (Much like my phone friend shared the other evening.), then launched into this bitter assessment of how he had never been so disappointed in anyone in his life prior, as he was with me, when he saw my creative effort. He said he now realized how he had read me wrong all these years. I was no longer the fine young Christian man with God as my first priority, but rather, just as bad as all the other hippie types of the era and how it broke his heart that I was obviously in for a fiery eternity. This was the gist of the uninterrupted love he shared with me for about 30 minutes.

In my gullible, leader loving world that had depended up to that point, on others in power positions in the church and their love and esteem for me . . . I was heart broken. You see, I STILL felt, even as a nonconforming college student, that if I kept God as my first priority, such people who populate the church leader aggregate, would have no problems loving me as I was, even though I might not see eye to eye with them.

(In retrospect, it's silly to realize I was ever that way, but I was . . . way up well into my young adult years.)

I withdrew from the college, this time voluntarily, to get out of my good, loving friend's way.

This phone friend from the other evening, fell much into that same leadership role revealing his downward evolution into the butt protecting, head-in-the-sand, condemnatory mode.

It's not like I don't expect that. I do. I understand for job security reasons, why very spiritual men compromise their moral base in order to perpetrate their continued existence in the upward climb within their denominational ranks.

Nonetheless, it is still discouraging to me to see it so vividly cloned in people with whom I hold such regard. Why can't they just honestly be themselves and let the fallout be whatever the fallout becomes? At least, they will finally have been honest with themselves and others, who are often devastated by their public portrayals of what privately, simply isn't.

In the hour plus call, I think I got about 12 minutes of verbiage in. Most of that was over the top of his incessant ranting so in reality, in the 60 minutes, he blabbed for about 58, IMOO.

During the call I asked if I could quote him. He replied as I knew he would, that his love outreach phone call would end immediately, if I didn't agree. I have no problem with that when people express anonymity, even in the midst of sharing their love for me. This entire blog never quotes him, only summarizes his thoughts expressed, from my perspective.

I did inform him that I would refer to his comments in a generic form as I always have done. He ordered me not to do so and said something along the line, if I did, I was ethically and morally adrift, as he then claimed he's always known me to be. Again, I informed him of my intention to do so. It did little to turn off his mouth. He did say if I referred to our phone call, he would not try to reach out to me thusly again, in a spirit of love, as he was doing this time.

Toward the end of the conversation he reminded me that he hadn't demeaned anyone, especially me in the call. Of course, I tried to have him recall his comments on the people in question who were casting great aspersions upon the CotN, as well as what he had said about me. Still, he does not think he demeaned anyone.

These character issues are so prevalent from the top positions of denominational leadership down to the beginning pastoral level. What is a driving force to win the lost at any cost and be transparently open in the process, gets overcome by the reality that self preservation in that particular church business climate, will be greatly threatened by so doing. Very, very few, are willing to stay true to their original "call" of so being in the face of such reality.

Now . . . to a few tangential paths into which he dragged me . . .

Apparently, according to this highly placed church leader, annually, all professorial religion employees MUST, annually reaffirm their complete and total commitment to the basic 14 Articles of Faith the CotN has had since its early beginnings relatively recently, in the early 1900's. According to this church leader, from the birth of the CotN, interpretations of these articles of faith have NEVER changed by any of the top leadership within the denomination. In other words, every Board of General Superintendents have interpreted them the same in over 100 years now, hence, according to my phone friend, the perfect consistency from our top leaders.

As well, they remain the same in verbiage, as they were at the very beginning of the CotN, according to him.

Therefore, based on these two facts and the affirmations every religion professor has to annually make at all our universities, these things which Scarlett, Silva, and others have charged, are thusly and simply, false!

He then brought up the fourth Article of Faith . . .

4. We believe in the plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, by which we understand the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, given by divine inspiration, inerrantly revealing the will of God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation, so that whatever is not contained therein is not to be enjoined as an article of faith.

Since every Nazarene university religion prof has to swear even to just this one article, as well as the others, those accusations have to be false.

Of course, my phone friend assured me of his allegiance to that article as well, and how every minister in the CotN has to likewise swear to uphold them.

I tried to illuminate the difference between how top church leadership may interpret this article as opposed to how those being forced to affirm it every year in order to remain employed, may interpret their promise to do so.

He didn't want to hear it. He demanded there was no wiggle room between the two interpretations and never allowed me to explain how well, indeed, there is. Fact is, I know of several who don't interpret it as the Generals supposedly do, in all their perfect wisdom and unanimity.

He had no time to consider the truth of that and dismissed such out of hand. When told I could send him written proof of such as well as links proving his error in so thinking, he ordered me not to do so. He said he didn't spend time in that world with such people, and was not interested.

Then, he began to illustrate the perfect parameters the top leadership in the CotN have imposed in order to completely deny the efficacy of any of the charges Silva and company have made. He did this by using his approach to the creation issue.

He claimed, that as long as God or some Creator with a capital "C", was at the beginning of creation, it mattered not in order to be in harmony with scripture, what then followed. In other words, it could be creation as so many of us have been taught. It could be an Intelligent Designer form of creation, or . . . it wouldn't be out of harmony with scripture . . . if it was evolution which took place with all its ramifications . . . as long as there was a Creator at the very beginning.

Now, I have my own beliefs on creation. But, I have few problems with those who believe any of those theories, personally.

However, to be in accordance with Article 4, concerning the inerrancy of scripture, and believe in evolution, was quite the stretch for me. I tried to communicate this to my loving phone friend, but he wouldn't hear me out.

I mean . . the Word does say, "In the beginning was God." Then, it spends a couple chapters depicting nothing about evolution.

So . . . apparently, to claim to believe in the inerrancy of scripture as my "it's all about my love for you" phone friend, I guess you wipe out the rest of Chapter 1 & 2 in Genesis? I mean, he did very loudly proclaim his allegiance to Article 4, so how else could that occur?

Oh, yeah . . . his interpretation of that article, huh?

So . . . he can interpret the articles of faith as to how he abides by them when swearing to do so . . . but religion profs can't or other ministers? And, they can't repudiate those articles in the eyes of the top leaders in the CotN, while they're comfortable with their acquiescence to them, due to THEIR interpretation of the Articles?

Maybe, this perfect, ironclad reasoning they proclaim refuting those making their accusations of such going on in our universities, is not so effective as thought?

No way, according to my loving sharing phone friend. I didn't understand the Article and therefore I wouldn't comprehend why these charges against the CotN couldn't possibly be valid.

Wow! I didn't near cover all his character nuances in this rehash. Believe me, it was a real load of crap!

Where before one might have little interest in delving into such issues, when you encounter such approaches as I did in all three "conversations", and especially in the last phone call, you quickly realize people are generating a whole lot of smoke hoping you don't ever see fire! My interest in now more peaked than ever.

This character evolution starts at the local level in pastoring, by manipulation of the flock to do and not do certain things, all the while themselves doing things in a leadership capacity they never thought they'd ever do, all in the name of progressing the Kingdom. Then, they climb the career ladder by further and more deeply involving themselves in such actions, further burying their heads in the sand, and by the time they get to my phone lover's stanchion in leadership . . . I question even if they're aware of what they're doing.

The most pathetic thing about this evolutionary downward spiral so many of them project, is when you pin them down, almost all of them give God the credit for doing what they do.

Now, I don't think any of this is worthy of a less than heavenly eternity. I'm a lot easier on people than most.

But, there is little question in Cahoona's mind, this is one of the main reasons many are finding it spiritually comfortable to simply do without the traditional church structure.

I almost also hasten to add, by attempting to thwart this image of church leadership by operating within its ranks to promote change, at least from an outside perspective, it appears I failed in ten years of so doing. I will only add here, that when you attempt change from within the system, you're pretty much on your own. No one will join you in promoting this change, opting for the more secure route of playing the game as they think they must, in order to survive financially and climb the ladder.

Privately, they'll uphold you. When it comes crunch time, those very sincerely loving ministerial peers, suddenly evolve into the essence of my loving outreach phone friend, and normally as a result, you'll be left alone, hanging, swinging slowly to your ministerial death.

For longevity, believe me, everywhere and especially in the church realm: Honesty, is NOT the best policy! The further you bury your head in the sand, the further you'll progress in the ranks.

I'm not certain if the process of getting here, to this point, in this blog, makes any sense, so I'm going to let it go.

God is our Source! Not a denominational business church entity, or their leaders!

I'll attach the E-mails in question to this, as well.

Be blessed!

(Response is always welcome by clicking on

"Comments" below, or via E-mail .)

http://www.ulmetministries.com/greeno.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzYnr30WcxY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urWVHD9CDZc

YOU ASKED FOR MORE OF IT . . .

2011-11-20T18:35:00.002-06:00

Here's the 3 YouTube videos Pat and I have uploaded:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urWVHD9CDZc ("Day Star")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ0ov2HKKmM ("I Claim the Blood")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzYnr30WcxY ("The Only Real Peace that I Have")

Now, for the disclaimers . . .

Many of you viewed our first posting and asked for more. Here it is.

I love singing, but I've never considered myself very good. My wife has always blessed me when she sang, like few can, and I really enjoy singing with her. She has a spirit about her that seems to fully reflect the essence of whatever song we're singing.

I am NOT technically savvy. I apologize up front for the lousy quality in both video and sound.

I have this neat 1080P HD Camera that fits in the palm of my hand, that does a super job in quality. However, due to my inexperience and ignorance at this uploading thing, it comes out pretty pitiful, huh? If any of you have expertise with doing this, I'd like to hear from you. I could really use the advice.

And yes . . . our songs are really, really slow. If you like up tempo music, it ain't happenin'! Sorry about that, but we do like the messages of the songs we pick.

Also . . . here's the link to the Chuck Millhuff/Ben Spear video I didn't have the other day, on "The Brush":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrKmadhWOiw

Trust you all are blessed as never before. We enjoy receiving your feedback, as always.

http://www.ulmetministries.com/greeno.htm

WILL CAHOONA AND LADY GO VIRAL? HA!

2011-11-17T12:15:00.001-06:00

"The Only Real Peace That I Have"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzYnr30WcxY

Last Sunday morning, I got up too late to ride with Pat to church. (She goes early for praise team practice, and drives a retired minister/evangelist to church as well.) As she departed, I turned on Gabriel Swaggart's music show, Living Waters on the Sonlife Broadcasting Network, and they had just started that song from many years back, with a young black man singing at Jimmy Swaggart's camp meeting service, "That's the Kind of God that I Serve". About 15 minutes into it, 'ol man, Shambach, jumped up and started singing with him. It goes on for about a half hour or so. (Did you catch it this week at all? Track it down. You'll be blessed.)

Wow! That got my engines revved. Alfie and I were hoopin', howlin', and hoppin' all over this living room. I was stark, raving, butt naked as I had just started to shower when it came on. Just picture it! Ha! I got so bloody blessed!

A few hours earlier that morning, about midnight to 2:30 AM, I had spent that entire time watching YouTube videos. I had googled "Nazarene Camp meeting Singing", and I linked to several, especially the Wally & Ginger Laxson links.

Here's a couple:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvVSc1k1Nu4&feature=related

. . . then, them doing "Thank God I Am Free":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y0mLmoxrMA&feature=related

Especially on that last link, Wally got all wound up, testifying, as he always used to do. I could just envision my memories of him and his widening, wild looking eyes when the Spirit hit him, kicking his legs, whooping, etc. I got so blessed that late evening as well and God so ministered to my heart both times, last Sunday morning.

Another link when you google which comes in, is one with Chuck Millhuff and Ben Spear, in ministry at Olivet Nazarene University. Dr. Millhuff gives a brief intro (I was hoping he would be singing the song, but he wasn't.), then Ben Spear does a touching rendition of Millhuff's "The Brush". I've loved that song since I first heard Doc sing it decades ago. Be sure and hunt down that link.

On another scale altogether here's another link for your blessing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzYnr30WcxY

It's a YouTube video of Pat and I singing in September, "The Only Real Peace That I Have, Dear Lord is in You". I've never been much of a singer, but I sure get blessed singing with my wife who seems to bring the house down each time she sings.

I trust your day is blessed as never before.

LIB NAZARENE FACULTY

2011-10-27T10:55:00.002-05:00

October 25, 2011

Are Evangelicals or University Professors More Irrational?
By Dennis Prager
Last week, The New York Times published an opinion piece by Karl W. Giberson and Randall J. Stephens, a physics professor and history professor at Eastern Nazarene College, respectively. The authors take evangelicals to task for being anti-intellectual, anti-reason and anti-science. Their evidence:

-- Evangelicals doubt man-made global warming.

-- Evangelicals believe that gays can "pray away" their homosexuality.

-- Evangelicals believe Earth is only thousands of years old and that men lived alongside dinosaurs.

-- Evangelicals oppose same-sex marriage.

Given how often they are made, it's worth analyzing these charges.

With regard to man-made global warming, the accusation that all skeptics are anti-science is despicable and, indeed, anti-science. The list of prominent scientists who dissent -- including the scientist widely considered the dean of climate science in America, Richard Lindzen of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology -- is so long that there are entire websites that feature their names and credentials: There's a Wikipedia page titled "List of Scientists opposing the mainstreat scientific assessment of global warming" and a website called PetitionProject.org.

The authors of the Times op-ed piece, like virtually all other left-wing intellectuals who comment on the subject, dismiss all skepticism regarding the Al Gore hypothesis that humanity is headed toward a worldwide apocalypse due to heat resulting from man-made carbon emissions. This is a reflection on these intellectuals' politics, not on their commitment to science.

With regard to "praying away" homosexuality -- if it is indeed the normative evangelical position that all gays, with the right faith, can cease being sexually attracted to the same sex -- that position is wrong. But to the best of my knowledge, that is not the normative evangelical position; evangelicals believe that no more than they believe that prayer alone will end any undesired physical condition.

At the same time, the opposite position -- the position of nearly all the liberal intellectual world -- that everyone's sexual orientation is fixed is a position also driven by ideology rather than by science. Society has a huge influence on how people act out their sexuality, including the gender of person with whom they choose to be sexual. Human sexuality -- especially female -- is far more elastic than the intellectual community admits. And the widespread liberal belief that, all things being equal, it makes no difference whether a child is raised by a mother and father or by two fathers or two mothers is hardly rational. On the issue of homosexuality, the intellectual left is just as driven by ideology as evangelicals.

With regard to those evangelicals -- and for that matter, those ultra-orthodox Jews -- who believe that Earth is less than 10,000 years old and that there either were no dinosaurs or that they lived alongside human beings, my reaction has always been: So what? I believe that Earth is many millions of years old, that "six days" is meant as six periods of time (the sun wasn't even created until the third day, so how could there have been any days before then?) and that dinosaurs preexisted man by millions of years.

But what real-life problem is caused by people who believe otherwise? Does it affect any of their important behaviors in life? Do they not take their children to doctors? Do they oppose medical research? Do they reject scientific discoveries that affect our lives? No. Not at all. Are there no evangelical or ultra-orthodox Jewish doctors? Of course there are, and apparently they are very comfortable learning and practicing science.

Compared to the many irrational beliefs of secular, leftist intellectuals -- good and evil exist even though there is no God; male and female are interchangeable; international institutions are the hope of mankind -- evangelical irrational beliefs are utterly benign.

And in regards to same-sex marriage, why is the normative Christian and Jewish belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman anti-science and anti-intellectual? What we have here is the usual left-wing tactic of smearing opponents. If you disagree with race-based affirmative action, you are a racist. If you disagree with the ever-expanding welfare state, you lack compassion. If you disagree with redefining marriage in the most radical way ever attempted in history, you are a hater.

No wonder the left developed the foolish and destructive self-esteem movement -- no one has anywhere near the self-esteem leftists have. They are certain that they are better human beings in every way than those who have the temerity to oppose them.

This Jew will take the evangelicals' values and the evangelicals' America over those of left-wing intellectuals' any day of the year. If evangelicals come with some views I find irrational, that's a tiny price to pay compared to the price humanity has paid for the left's consistently broken moral compass -- when it comes to America; Communism and Islamism; superiority of peace studies over waging war against evil; America's role in the world; Israel; the welfare state; Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez and all the other left-wing dictators whom the left-wing has celebrated; the belief that men and women are basically the same; the greater worth of any animal than of the unborn human; and nearly every other major moral issue.

If these professors typify the views of Eastern Nazarene, which is officially listed as a Christian university, it is reason for despair. Once left-wing values enter the evangelical bloodstream, there is almost no hope for America.

Copyright 2011, Creators Syndicate Inc.

THE PETITIONING OF PAIN

2011-10-15T13:14:00.002-05:00

The desperately painful condition of humanity, both in the physical as well as the mental realm, is a characteristic thrust upon us by our Creator, whose purpose or need absents itself from human logic. There's no way to comprehend its need of existence from the perspective of human context. Therefore, I give our God the out of submitting my extreme displeasure at such, to His Omniscience and therefore, the "need" for His creation to have to endure such insanity.

Likewise, the inability of the human shell with all its components functioning at full capacity, to comprehend the relativity of pain, be it mental or physical, or both. Our very complex human machine reacts to all such stimuli as if its the absolutely greatest threat ever, to our very existence, regardless of the relative length of the attack, its long term effect, etc. Our mind, emotions, and will scream in sync together when experiencing such pain numbing attacks and makes no differentiation between what we're experiencing on perhaps a temporary basis as opposed to other humanity who have to experience far worse, constantly.

Pain is not relative when we're experiencing it. However, when I approach the Throne in petitions to be protected from such in an appeal to be able to endure, I'm always humbled and even thwarted sometimes, from so doing, by the reality of many others who experience far worse than me, far more often, and whom have need of our Savior's healing touch to a far greater depth than me.

Take Roxanne for example, today. She was a teacher's aid for my daughter for years. As well, a close friend of my wife who was librarian there at the same school for so many years. (Kara took over Pat's position when she retired in May.)

Roxanne is a wonderful lady. She would even call Kara during the summers on her own time just to see if there was anything she could do for her for the next school year.

Roxanne, during those years, had returned to college to complete her degree, get certified, and she entered the teaching ranks just his last August at the same school, for the first year of her contract in her new career.

About a month into this school year, they had just allowed the last guests to her husband's birthday party to leave their home, when he began complaining of heart burn. She went and got him a pill with a glass of water, handed it to him, and as he was in the motion of taking it, he fell dead from a heart attack. He was just 53.

This past Monday, her son-in-law went to waken their soon to be three month old daughter -- Roxanne's granddaughter -- when he noticed she wasn't breathing. During the week while on machines, emotion ebbed and flowed. At first there was no sign of brain activity, then there was. It went on all week.

During the night last night, Roxanne's granddaughter breathed her last, and is now at home with our Creator, on this, the day of her third month of human existence.

So it's in the light of that comparatively brutal in depth reality, as well as the reality so much of this world is in far more painful straits than me with many who have little to no hope of it ever changing, that I reflect and update you on Cahoona . . .

We got to St. Pat's Hospital in Lake Charles, about 5:45 AM yesterday (Friday). After a lot of prelims, they finally got into me about 12:20 and I wasn't conscious until 2:30 PM. We got home before dark last evening.

Dr. Sittiq once again implanted a "miles long" stint to drain the kidney, blasting away at all the stones he could see. He claimed he got the biggest and one or two others, but there were more he lost track of. As a result, I get to go do the whole process again here in a couple more days or so. They're going to let me know, Monday.

Meanwhile, I'm in the fog of this horrifically painful period which always follows this surgery. Everytime I pass liquids (Although it's full of "sand like" particles from the debris of the surgery.), it's like I've stuck a long bladed, thin knife inside me, twisted it slowly, then jerked it back out. The pain is so dreadful, I can't explain it. Oxy can't combat it. I'm at its mercy.

And, joy of joys: I get to do it all over, going through this period again, in a few days!

Apparently, I have some weird form of "gout". (That's such a nasty term to me. Every time I hear it, I feel like whoever has it, hasn't been cleaning themselves very good, or something. I want to tell them to go take a shower/bath and clean up.) The stones are all of the same acid base which constitutes gout along with the good news: My body will continue to manufacture them, ceaselessly.

So . . . first off, I thank many of you for your prayers yesterday, as well as the many who responded. I so appreciate everyone of them.

And to my wife, Pat, I can't communicate enough of my gratitude. You are an amazing woman!

And . . . though I wish you'd remember Roxanne and everyone else in this world so far worse off than me . . . when and if you think of it, I desire your continued prayers.

I trust your day is blessed as never before. Mine is.

DEJA VOUS (BOHICA)

2011-10-13T09:30:00.001-05:00

It's not that I don't like Lake Charles. It's OK as a small city. I mean, the thought of going there never really inspires me much, but since we've found a couple nice links layouts as well as one or two cuisine haunts, I can endure the experience.

But . . . Lake Charles has a multitude of hospitals. And, it seems St. Pat's, is going to house Cahoona yet again. I'm definitely not looking forward to this Lake Charles action.

On Friday of Labor Day weekend, while grilling the absolutely without peer rib eyes for another couple and ourselves, I began to feel an onset of what had occurred last January. By the time the meal was over, I was in the recliner constantly writhing, attempting to find a posture where I could endure the pain. It didn't happen. So, I had to excuse myself and go to bed which provided no more comfort, but at least gave me the privacy to endure this onslaught. I was leveled there, for about 15 hours.

Then . . . it all just mysteriously dissipated and I was back to normal. So, I started living where I had left off.

Last Friday morning, about 8:30, it began again. This time, there was no letup. I suffered all weekend and limped into my friend's emergency room for a CAT Scan on Monday. It verified my worst fears.

I had another large stone in the kidney (5.1 mm), which was bouncing back and forth while backing up my kidney, causing me great pain. The pain subsided Monday afternoon.

Tuesday morning about 8:00 AM, it came on me again, worse than ever. About noon, I grabbed desperately for an oxy pill and not only did the pain go, but with no other pills since, I have been virtually pain free.

Wednesday afternoon, the urologist confirmed everything and said he had to go inside me and blast the sucker into smithereens.

So . . . Friday morning, I'll be doing another redoux of last January. There's this stint thingie -- about 18" long -- they're going to insert as well, to drain the kidney, just as before. I'm dreading both the intense pain the procedure offers as well as the thought of being knocked unconscious and in the complete control of strange persons of whom I know nothing!

SO, WHEN AND IF YOU THINK OF IT, I'D APPRECIATE YOUR PRAYERS OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS OR SO.

I gotta brag on my wife, Pat. She has been a literal angel again this time, as she was last January. You never fully appreciate the love of your spouse, until times like this are endured. Thanks so much, my Love. You are amazing!

While we're reminiscing awaiting the new reality, to keep you occupied and in gratitude for the hoped for prayers, I'm going to copy a blog from last January, below, which concerned this operation.

Be blessed!

(COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOME VIA E-MAIL OR BY CLICKING ON "COMMENTS" BELOW)

Thursday, January 13, 2011

CAHOONA . . . STONED!

(This is dedicated to one of my most cherished, life care givers, Dr. Bradley Loewer. He has continually done everything he can for me so far accomplishing what most of you all desire he'd cease and desist from attempting: Keeping Cahoona alive!)

Been gettin' quite a few responses and questions on this, so . . .

First off, "THANKS FOR THE PRAYERS!" I so believe personally, in my faith realm, in the power of prayer. I'm always humbled and most gratified by those thrust Upward in my regard.

For those of you that don't know, I'll share a little history on this prior to a comment or two . . .

Last week-end, I began feeling more pain than normal in the left abdominal area. Sunday night through Monday morning, it materialized into the worst pain I've ever had to endure. Still, I must say for myself: I valiantly struggled through it and kept my schedules. (My wife views it as insubordinate stubbornness.)

Monday night, the onslaught began again, and by 2:00 AM, Tuesday morning, even Cahoona had decided maybe the medical profession ought to have a chance at checking him out. The pain was unrelenting and like nothing I had ever even imagined I would EVER endure.

With just my normal supply of daily aspirin in the house, I awoke Pat and she chauffered me over to an emergency room in Lake Charles. This turned out to be somewhat of a God thing, as, unbeknown to me, a very good friend of mine (Dr. Bradley Loewer) who had treated me in the past and is head of that hospital's emergency operation, in God's compassion for me, was on duty all night that night. He was quite flabbergasted when I walked by him in the halls there about 3:00 AM.

By this time, I was literally shaking the foundations of the hospital with my writhings over my pain, attempting to be manlike and not show any of such, other than smacking the wife around a little, snarling at the emergency room personnel, etc. They immediately hooked me up to my first IV ever, which only was allowed by Cahoona, when the single, male nurse there, Adam, assured me on his mother-in-law's grave, he always hit the vein on the first go.

And then, "Oh, I must say!" . . . he became my saviour as whatever the heck that stuff was he pumped into me -- demasudrin, demdumeral, demidol, demagogue, or whatever it's called -- stopped my horrifically painful contractions. I Iooked the fool as my half completed writhing motion was stopped in mid stride, by the most wonderful, painless moment I think I had ever had!

I sunk back down onto the mattress, under the coat I was under, still trying to warm up from the cold which I was still feeling from Chicago a few weeks back, with a silly grin on my face. I felt fine . . . for a few moments.

They then took me to do a CAT (Sp?) Scan and by about 7:00 AM or so, had pretty well determined for themselves, my left kidney was 100% blocked by a very large stone with another smaller one right beside it, awaiting my future cognitive powers. In addition, there was determined to be a huge amount of swelling whose contents, mostly, were the 512 ounces of Pepsi consumed the during the week-end accompanied by approximately 30 ounces or so of the finest pizza sauce from the products rendered to me and comped, from Deano's Pizza, via my daughter's Christmas gift card to me. (Remember, we had the LSU Tigers slam-banging A&M Friday night, followed by the Saints' timid whimper ending their season Saturday afternoon.) and various and assundry other fluids I had ingested the prior couple days or so. This puddle was further pressuring the kidney by pressing down on the above mentioned stones.

Something about all that, really activated the staff there, and words like "immediate surgery" and "emergency here" began filling the airwaves all about me just as another onslaught began within me, forcing them to double the dose of the "demawhatever" that was they had hit me with the first time. (I understand it's quite a sight to see the normally modest, quarter-ton Cahoona making angel imprints in the snow, on hospital linens, concerned no longer about what was getting exposed to whomever with howling moans and groans.)

No one in Lake Charles qualified to do the work, could, on Tuesday, so they introduced me to another fine friend of mine, now, called "oxycondom" or something like that. Whatever it is, it ain't nearly as bad as its been cracked up to be. Dat dere stuff em gut!!!! It keeps a smile on Cahoona's gorgeous face midst the most trying of painful assaults, even producing giggles, at times, from the ever serious one!

My darling sister-in-law, Kathy: You would have been so very proud! I saw and observiced nothing, for several minutes, but only the peaceful in life. Don't send nasty notes to the overly sensitive Cahoona . . . just send him oxycondom, OK?

They started prepping me on Wednesday about 3:30 PM, at another hospital, after spending the prior three hours in a local urologist's office. One thing, apparently about urologists . . . they don't seem to have much of a sense of humor, determined to get down only to the business in their hands.

By 4:30, they were prepping me, and somewhere around 4:45 PM or so, Cahoona entered a world he had never before inhabited in his 57+ year trek on this rock: Without warning or awareness, I was out! Cold! Muy, muy frio y loco in mi cabeza!

Two hours later, the clock hanging just beyond some woman declaring to be my wife's right shoulder, read 6:40, and Cahoona was most confused. I mean, this girl was attractive enough to me, but the time . . . what had happened?

The sharp pains at the end of Cahoona's personal pride, began penetrating his consciousness, enough so, to realize the deed had been done. But, other than that, lucidness was not to be had for another hour or so.

(My darling daughter who had accompanied her Daddy-Da out of love and was such a blessing throughout the day, Wednesday, had also brought along her credit card size HD Camcorder. This very spooky-appearing-to-me-then, gadget, blinked its little red light continuously at me as I tried to make some semblance of what had apparently been two hours, now completely gone from my life, of whit, I had no control. Knowing in advance this might happen, she came prepared. Though the images recorded are indeed Cahoona coming to grips with all aspects of a life turned chaotic with no control of reasoning powers to explain anything, the two gorgeous women of my life laughing and giggling hysterically throughout the 28 minutes of this recording on a memory card and lovingly providing me with no answers of substance -- are most disconcerting when viewed by Cahoona tonight, for the very first time -- I can understand how they will become more hysterical to me the more time that passes between the acts themselves and the future. If this was placed on YouTube, I'm sure it would be viral in minutes!)

The surgeon had to place a stint somewhere down in those regions and I think you can pretty well figure out how he got it there. I hope he enjoyed himself. He seems to have succeeded.

Now, I'm to await his phone call setting up a date in the next few days, when he will ask my permission to once again violate me. This time, he will blast the stone edifices with sonic waves (I think this procedure is referred to as "lancingyouronly", or something like that.) in an attempt to break them up, allowing me the personal pleasure of passing them in due course.

He ain't done, yet. He then plans to once again have his fun with me, assuming the passages have occurred, to go back in and remove the stint.

Cahoona's near future has little to long for . . .

Seriously, I was a bit concerned over all this. The pain cannot be described adequately. I mean it when I say I appreciated all those prayers and those that continue in my regard, in the next several days.

And no, Ken, it wasn't God slapping me around as with the vehicular air bags in order to get my attention, this time, in more sensitive areas of my rather ample bod, just because I happened to somehow get your mother-in-law's bloomers in a knot!!! So, don't go there!

And yes, family, I understand that I have a scrawny brother-in-law (Though I think he divorced me decades ago.) who has passed 100+ of those itty-bitty type pebbles (Remember, my were stone edifices!): That makes him no more of a man than Cahoona!

Anyway, felt you all deserved to know that Cahoona will probably survive all this to give bloomers everywhere, a tug or two in the years to come! You better keep them tucked in!

Thanks, again. I trust your day is blessed. Mine always is!

MO', BEDDA BUGGER

2011-10-08T11:35:00.000-05:00

Had a pretty miserable night physically, last night, so need to get this valuable info off my chest in order to redirect my thoughts, and in case, something traumatic occurs with me:

Pat joined me in retirement, officially, the last of May, although she had a full summer of ministry to fulfill subsequently. Since arriving back home from that, we play golf together along with Alfie, at our little country club, a few times weekly. During the week, we usually get out there and tee off before 8:00 AM and are searching desperately for brunch sites by around 10:30 AM or so. Then, we normally spend Saturday evenings repeating the mid-week's actions, usually followed by a time of pizza consumption.

Utilizing the hours we do in feeding this habitual monster, allows us to claim the country club as our personal, private, golf kingdom. 90% of the time, the three of us have the entire 18 hole layout to ourselves. It's as close to heaven, humanity is probably going to get.

Anyway . . .

I don't know if you've noticed or not, but Shoney's is spending millions on advertising their new menu, etc.

As a kid, I always loved the very rare opportunities my family took in going to eat at what was then, Big Boy's Hamburgers, I think. They then changed the name to Frisch's Big Boy, a few law suits later might have changed it again, but now, it's known as Shoney's.

A couple years back, we got burned out on Shoney's. They were never very clean, their food bar was barely edible, even their breakfast buffet was often ugly to consider ingesting its contents. We hadn't much patronized them since.

However, their current ad campaign, drew us in, and that combined with their $3/off coupons, reverted our thinking back to prior years. In the last week or so, we've partaken there three different times, following our golfing paradise outings.

Pat usually gets the breakfast buffet. I've been sampling the new menu options such as the grilled chicken breast skillet dinner, the first time back.

The last two experiences, involved me with the inhalation of the attached picture to this E-mail. They call it their Double Decker Cheeseburger. This is the focus of this blog.

It's a fine burger standing at least a full 7" in height with a large steak knife gutting its middle section. It's two six-ounce burgers cooked just like you would at home, topped with two thick slices of quality cheddar, purple onions and the works. The bun is better than average. This item is accompanied with either fries or their new homemade onion rings, the latter of whit, is by far the best option! (They're a meal in themselves.) They're huge and they're amazing in taste! And this comes from a guy who really doesn't like onion rings that much.

It appears Shoney's is attempting to turn around their downward spiral into bankruptcy. If our recent experiences with them are any indication, they're doing a pretty good job. Even the breakfast buffet is much cleaner and tastier than ever before. Finally, it appears, they're going to totally phase out the lunch/dinner buffets in the near future. That's been long overdue.

And . . . all three times, they had worship music being played over the sound systems. I'm not sure this is chain wide nor do I know the root of this. But, it's a great atmosphere in which to commune together.

So . . . check out the attached picture, then follow your inner urges and give the new Shoney's a shot. I think you'll be glad you did.

Be blessed.

(Response always welcome via E-mail, or here by clicking on "Comments" below.)

MORE MAZE THAN LABYRINTH?

2011-10-04T11:59:00.002-05:00

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: This blog is a response to a few of the responses received from the blog just below this one.)

We've stimulated a host of responses to our prior blog. A few of them are published at our blog site. Most were private. I'm going to respond to a few here, with this blog. My response, as always, may take any who dares tread onward within the confines of this verbiage, well into the late fall, if one chooses to digest it all. You've been warned.

Before I do that, I do want to make a slight correction to my original blog on this subject. When in a hurry as I always am in batting out these Hardysophical Meanderings, I always seem to get the "General Church Board", and the "Board of General Superintendents", of the CotN, confused in my rhetoric. I was, of course, referring to the latter in my original blog on this issue.

And, to further clarify from the original blog in the editorial sense . . . on the blog site, it was entitled, "Prayer Labyrinths? . . . Or Mazes?" A labyrinth leads you to an ultimate destination. A maze is there to confuse you in the hopes of abandoning you as lost.

From Ken and Sharyl Achilles: Good evening, Mr Hardy,

Thank you so much for your insight into this article. I've been reading more about the emergent church since I received this email too. I remember all the publicity and endorsement of "The Purpose Driven Life" and Rick Warren. There were several home groups that studied the book together and "The Purpose Driven Church" was read too. Assembly of God, Church of the Nazarene and many others had Rick as a special guest. I remember when Rick had the presidential candidates at his church too. In reading some of the negative concerns of John McArthur and others, I question some of the statements of Rick's group. I don't want our churches to become so tolerant and accepting of others that we lose the truth. Jesus is still the only way. I still believe in the virgin birth and I believe the gay and lesbian lifestyle is sinful. I want to show love to all but when we remove all our core beliefs to make everyone, regardless of their beliefs feel good, we might as well be that country club, you often speak about. I remember watching "The Crystal Cathedral" one evening and RobertSchuller had a Muslim Imam as a guest speaker. I thought that was strange because Schuller said we worship the same God so we can worship easily together. There will always be those who look for anything negative about the church and I am against that too. I just want us to be ready when Jesus comes and I want to be in that glorious church without a spot or wrinkle, washed in the blood of the Lamb. I will keep reading, watching and praying. Thank you again for your help in this. I appreciate you so very much, Hardy. God bless you and Pat everyday. Lovingly, Sharyl

I personally think Rick Warren, overall, has had a positive effect upon the Kingdom. I remember in the Assessment portion of our NewStart ministry at Trevecca Nazarene University, back around 1998, he was presented to us as a pastoral icon. I had a few hesitations with him then, have been a little concerned as I've watched his teachings since, but obviously don't get as disturbed about him as yourselves, Swaggart, and many other church traditionalists of this era.

I really don't think the standard for being granted access to an eternal heaven, will be determined by adhering to his take on the Good News, or not. And, since I'm very certain he has had great impact on reaching masses who will inhabit the streets of gold, who probably wouldn't have without his influence . . . can we really demean his Kingdom worth?

I have even more reservations concerning the ministry of John McArthur. Yet again, however, he's accomplished far more for the Kingdom than Cahoona, so I bother not in condemning him, either.

I have a little hesitation with some of your definitive desires for what you hope the church will continue to be. I'll try to briefly (Ha!) explain my context of "church" to you, so we're on the same planet, anyway.

The Church with a capital "C", to me (And I believe fervently Scripture substantiates.) is the body, aggregate, whatever term you'd use there meaning such, of believers. Some like to refer to it as the "Body" of Christ.

It is NOT the AOGers, the CotN, the Baptists, the Emergents, etc. That's "church" with a small "c". Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her, and not the "church", directly.

Within the body of believers are a host of organizations which give me great pause at times. Including, I hasten to add, my own denominational affiliate . . . the CotN.

None by themselves, however, within my limited view on things, have earned the distinction of condemnation such as cast upon the earlier sects of the Pharisees and Saducees. If such a designation is truly warranted by any of these movements, then In My Obnoxious Opinion (IMOO), all, including the CotN, are thusly condemned. There are great errors of doctrine, practical theology, legalism, legalisms, legalismisms, etc., within all, much likened to the damnation received by the early church via our Lord. (Phariseeism, etc.) If any denominations fail in this realm . . . they all would thusly seem to do so.

You are the Church. I am the Church. The four walls, physical facilities, great church campuses, Christian colleges, organized religion of any type . . . all are simply within their own aggregate, and commonly referred to by so many of us, as the church.

They are organized, structural institutions of business, with the common denominator of all of them being: The continuance of a positive bottom line on the financial statements of each. Hence, the need for differing legalisms, tradition, doctrinal differences, etc., all giving God the blame (credit) for so being. Each subset business of this aggregate called "church", attracts like minded participants as well as radical loyalists.

"Truth" with a capital "T", is then only defined within the parameters of what that particular subset happens to believe, which, then, of course, relegates it to small case "t", truth. Again, though almost all of these businesses differ, God is given the blame in almost every case.

Generally speaking, the church of today at its best, is a functioning religious country club. It provides its clients with what they desire including having great guilts cast upon them.

As I was growing up, almost all of the evangelistic results had their production based entirely on legal convictions which church evangelism levied upon their member/visitor ranks. Whether it was hell fire, missing the rapture, dying in a church bus stalled on railroad tracks coming home from a zone rally, even thinking about sex as a teenager, etc., the bar was almost invariably lowered to the level of the particular church evangelist/pastor and HIS convictions, at the moment.

Those able to think in the midst of such chaotic, emotional, out of control rhetoric, soon realized that as a human being, they could NEVER live up to all those different convictions, and were only left with three basic choices:

Give up.

Go to the altar every time you had a chance.
Live your life in complete guilt and condemnation.

I hate to say it, but as those who know me best understand, it's #3 which is still my worst nemesis in my Spirit filled walk. Pitifully, I have not been able to shake all that guilt based religious heritage I experienced.

As well, this spiritual country club setting, allows the socialization of like-minded believers of similar socio-economic status, to participate as a group of such, to experience all sorts of spiritual benefits to the level that particular church country club can afford.

This is not necessarily a bad thing. The church can become the Church under such efforts and often does. As well, as Silva was trying to warn from his perspective, those efforts can quickly become a zero sum game by the negating power of certain practices.

It's a good thing to attend church, IMOO. It's admirable to devote one's life to it. That can become a fulfilling career choice.

But, since the renting of the veil in the temple onward, the church is NOT the source of Godliness in this world . . . the believer, himself/herself is! The church can be both an aide or hindrance to such, and Silva was dealing with the latter.

The church in all its most effective Kingdom work, overall, IMOO, is a great addition to such, but is NOT a mandatory aspect one must include in order to spend eternity with our Lord.

Being the Church, however, is!

(I could go on forever, but as that is simply my contextual intro . . . . Hmmm . . . I may indeed go on forever . . .)

What I'm trying to get at in my Cahoona-convoluted method, is that YOU ARE THE CHURCH! If what's happening around you in your chosen church is not comfortable to you, and you feel you have needs must associate with such a spiritual country club type setting, find one that makes you comfortable!

Or . . . fight the good fight where you are in overcoming what you view to be the enemies around you attempting to make your church all those dastardly things you don't want it to be. All the while, with God moving within you, allow love to prevail and acceptance, rather than rejection, to dominate your evangelism in the process.

The problem with becoming a "glorious church without spot or wrinkle", is that it is anything but that, from the perspective of those within the walls of the spotted and wrinkled churches. And, it just ain't gonna happen, anyway.

You, the Church, can be that ONLY because of the Blood! But, as the church will always have spotted, wrinkled, dung like humanity in its environs of the organized structure . . . it will NEVER be without spot or wrinkle. And, why would you want it to be?

I know what you're saying and I empathize with that. It's what all we churchmen would like.

Unfortunately, though I love my little Country Club where Pat and I regularly golf, there's always something better. But, it's the best available in this area, for our desires.

The church you attend or support, should be little different. Traditionalism and denominational loyalty will combat many of your personal, spiritual growth attempts, should there be better options where you live and you don't take advantage of them. Especially, when we have others such as daughters/sons/family, etc., who are bound by our choices.

I don't think God will ever bestow His "Well done!" upon anyone who gutted it out at some religious organization at the expense of spiritual growth, when other, more spiritually bountiful options were available.

On the other hand, He well might, as I don't feel He sets the theological standard nearly as high/low as we do, when determining eternal habitation for believers.

I want to say thousands of words more, but I shan't!

Be blessed!

********************

From Dr. Jim Diehl: Greetings, Hardy, on a Sunday night. Before we would follow anyone into battle, we must find out where that person will lead us. Manny Silva is the son of a Nazarene pastor originally from Cape Verde. He pastored in the New England area but is not doing so now (at least not a Nazarene church). Manny identifies with the "Concerned Nazarenes" and has disassociated himself from the Church of the Nazarene.......but continues to lead the charge against the church. He has moved from Wesleyan to the Reformed theological perspective. It is more than regrettable that Manny has chosen this course. We certainly do need prophets who awaken and challenge the Church but, as the old saying goes, "You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar." I have been contacted by several from the "anti-Nazarene" camp this summer trying to get quotes that would be used against the people I love. I have noticed nearly all who have contacted me are not Nazarenes, they are Fundamentalists, and tend to be Calvinistic in theology. It seems very strange to me that many of the loud voices that are condemning Northwest Nazarene, Point Loma, and Trevecca are not Nazarenes themselves. But they love to stir the pot within our beloved Zion. I would agree that we need messages of warning and caution (and I preach them myself). But I'm not much impressed with those with such a loud voice that aren't near us theologically. Isn't it interesting that so many Calvinist are trying to straighten out the Wesleyan Holiness Nazarenes? I must go.....just be cautions about all that Manny Silva writes. He may turn on you next. ( Those who contacted me last HATE "The Shack". That book is worse than the Nazarenes!....they say)

Blessings, Jim

I always appreciate whatever time you are able to take, to occasionally respond. With your new assignment there at MNU, I realize your time is even more precious than ever. I continue to pray for you and all the living GS's and families on a daily basis by name, and have done so in response to your accepting this new gig, by especially uplifting your new role as well as the search for a new president, and the recent MNU revival your preached.

I was a little confused by your approach in your response. In my original blog, I was sharing an E-mail forwarded to me from a friend, concerning some of Silva's statements. I then responded to that and my brief, updated research on him. I was pretty clear in shooting down, from my perspective, the numbers he used, etc. Also, unlike what he rants, I didn't see the horrific danger in "labyrinths" as he does, if they're well intentioned with God as the focus and glory. So, my response to him in my original blog, should well have made that clear.

Your The Shack reference was also an obvious to me, understanding what little I do, of Silva. He, like so many others, is one who absolutely seems to refuse to allow the ministry of the Holy Spirit to be embraced, unless every theological detail is in place, according to his own perspectives. (His own version of "mysticism".) He, apparently then, like so many within our movement, has excluded so many sources of potential spiritual growth, due to an imbalance of doctrinal intolerance blinding him to new Godly insights?

I do associate with some of his reservations concerning the CotN, but never commented on those.

While blasting around the internet that evening, I came across several YouTube videos of you, statements from you, etc., on this topic. That made it even more interesting to me as I've always admired you in several areas since my very early youth.

You, Dr. Diehl, are and were in a far more perspective prone position to know the extent of the churchs' problems. In my little world, I know of several "skeletons" you could reveal of which you've had a part and many, in which you played a decisive role. So, it's little wonder to me that people have attempted to put you on the record on issues.

For the sake of Truth, I've always felt much of that slag should and could be exposed. Understanding the need for longevity of the institution of the CotN in your mind and many, many others, I understand why it isn't. I'm somewhat sympathetic to that. Not all would forgive and move on, obviously.

Still, I always yearn for a more enlightened day to come on these matters.

IMOO, the Wesleyan Holiness precepts hammered into me in my life span by church leaders, is more of a contorted, manipulated, massaging of literal Scripture than Calvinism has ever appeared, to me, to be. During one very illuminating Sunday afternoon in a motel room in Nagadoges, Texas, my own father after going through the first few chapters of Romans with me, including the passage he had preached on that morning in a revival service, dispiritedly sighed, then quietly shared, "I see what you're saying. I can't explain why it . . (the difference between what he had preached that morning and what the church in Rome understood Paul's literal words to be.) . . . seems different. I just simply know that this is what I was taught in the church that saved me, this is what I've always believed, and this is what I'll die believing."

I see nothing errant in that statement. He, you, and me, are entitled to believe what we believe regardless of how anyone else assesses that to be. Such entitlement may make an eternal difference, but I highly suspect such would be very, very minute.

And, on this topic, Brother Diehl: I think you would admit to me, that if given only these answers describing the past several decades in the CotN, of "We've drifted as a denomination more toward the Holiness of old." or "We've drifted as a denomination more toward Calvinism." . . . . . in truth, you as well, would have to select the latter.

So . . . concerning peoples' attempts to "straighten out Wesleyan Holiness" as you stated it, you must certainly take some responsibility for that drift having occurred, do you not, as per the loftiest position in the denomination you held for those years?

If Nazarenes are still doing it "right" via the "vinegar" route, must you not at least give some sway to those whom have sought this change? I mean, they succeeded to an extent, did they not, even while you were at the helm?

From my perspective which is far different than yours, I've seen this fairly rampant within the church, from the bottom to the top. In your position of power, you were probably not allowed access to such meanderings, although probably more than we know.

In my brief life span within the CotN, there are literally dozens of ministers/evangelists at all levels, whom have confided their personal leanings toward Calvinism, as opposed to the Holiness of heart being so strongly emphasized by our words, periodicals, leaders, Kansas City, etc. Only a handful ever went public, to my knowledge, and they paid a price.

Good sharing with you. Be blessed!

********************

Dr. Talmadge Johnson wrote: Good Morning, Dr. Jim: Thanks for your concise and accurate response to our friend Hardy. I, too, have responded to wonderful friends who have contacted me and I simply affirmed what we truly believe as Nazarenes. While there may be inroads of uncertainty expressed by some God is still at work in the Church of the Nazarene. Perhaps the greatest need for "concerned Nazarenes" in and out of the church is to unite in prayer for a genuine revival that will turn the tide toward being victors rather than victims. We continue to be prayerful for you and the important position that you occupy just now as Acting President of Mid America Nazarene University. You are loved and valued. TJ

I've always considered it an honor to have both of you as friends. Each of you invoke many, many memories from my youth and my great mother and father.

I associate myself with your call to prayer for genuine revival within the ranks of the Church. I used to think that meant we needed more of the emotional, scare 'em into heaven, type revivals of yesteryear. That's what I was raised on and what I came to love. I loved getting blasted with conviction regardless of how triumphant my personal spiritual life was.

Anymore and sadly, far too late in my life, however, I have realized how much deeper, fuller, and captivating His real Presence is than that. I now just pray for "revival" as God desires it to be in His will.

And, to be frank with you, I feel much of his Church, residing within the church, are probably "OK" in an eternal sense. But, the depraved state of the truly lost, is worse than ever. And, we simply via our country club church settings, are doing relatively little to change that picture.

Something needs to change and I echo my hopes with yours, for revival being the catalyst.

Always good sharing with you. I trust your day is blessed as never before.

********************

From Richard Beckham: Thank you, Hardy, (I think) for the informative series of emails regarding some of the concerns which drive the "Concerned Nazarenes" movement. Full disclosure is in order here: I emphatically affirm that I share most of those concerns. What I do find interest (and disappointing) about Bro. Jim's letter (and let me be clear, he has always been one of my favorites in general leadership) was that he employed an age-old strategy in dealing with criticism: kill the messenger by impugning his motives or by accusing him of guilt by association. I never noted any direct addressing of the issues of concern in either Bro. Jim's letter or J.T's. I guess I "don't have a dog in this fight" in that I am semi-retired and am now pastor of a non Nazarene church, but I would adamantly make this assertion: that this potential cleavage within the Nazarene denomination will not go away, nor will it dissipate in intensity as a result of leaders "burying their heads in the sand" with regard to the seriousness of these issues or by their attempt to marginalize those who are profoundly concerned. Just my thoughts on the matter. Richard

You're welcome (I hope), Friend Beckham. I suppose some of what you warned could be attached to Dr. Diehl's words. But, it's a failure we all employ as we feel comfortable in so doing. I know I have done it, I've been told you have done it, my wife's pastor does it often, and all within the ministerial ranks yield to this messenger slaying mentality at times.

I well understand why Dr. Diehl must use some of this, due to his position within the CotN. I also understood when I was told of you doing this. I even have some sympathy for my wife's pastor doing it so often.

But I do agree, it doesn't say much for our substance at times.

Also, Dr. Diehl has far more important things to respond to, I'm sure, than Cahoona. Were we breaking bread together in some private manner, I'm sure he would be far more forthcoming. At least in my history with him, he has been just that.

I do understand what you're saying, however.

As I'm sure you can well relate with, I've had attempts made on me to "marginalize" my sincere motives, most of my adult life. It's what happens when one involves themself in change in any organization, be it your church, my church, the country clubs, denominations, etc. It's what we, in our humanity, do to each other.

I don't think unless it's motivated by hate, it will make a difference in one's eternal abode, regardless of the fallout resulting.

Still, I find it repulsively repugnant, as well.

Good sharing with you. Be blessed.

********************

From Dr. Chuck Millhuff: ANY SAUCE LEFT? As to walking in circles to pray until one finds their own comfort zone or matching communion with the pass over meal I have too much else to worry about one of which is the lack of confrontational preaching that leads to the moment of life changing grace. The rational is the Post Modern mind set. Fooy, you should hear the modern day politicals yelling for all the world to hear arm waving. Most notably is the cooling of our cardinal doctrine now called our distinguishing doctrine defined in our Manual as a second crisis subsequent to regeneration. This is why we joined together over 100 years ago. This was the defining issue and for me it still is. Oh yes I know it is a moment in a process or in the midst of growth. And that is no small part of the issue. By the way after the great union of N. American West and East and South on the the dusty plains of Texas in tiny Pilot Point they marched around the big tent singing gospel words to the tune of Dixie. My Lord that was close to a labyrinth. Relax just kidding or was I ?
Chuck Millhuff

Sent from my iPhone
Dr Chuck Millhuff

I just have a need to know: When dancing around the big tent singing that marvelously welcomed by open minded new Nazarenes, southern gospel music, did Bresee put down his cigs? If not, perhaps he's got us all lost in a maze of his and our creation?

I so strongly believe in a second, definite crisis, where self is crucified and Christ sits on the throne of our life. It almost makes mockery of tempation when this has been embraced for awhile. We're confronted, but not conflicted. We no longer consider the merits of right/wrong, but seek only to find the right and walk therein.

Too many today, within the church, I fear, live without it. I'm not convinced this is a disqualifier for Heaven, but it certainly leads to a spiritual life of failure, while on this rock.

I love your responses. What sauce still exists, has oozed out upon your lcd screen there on your iPhone. Some of it is smoke. I've been retired for six years now.

Still remember that red bag, clubs, and golf cart of yours you had me dump on some poor sucker!

Be blessed!

********************

Talmadge Johnson's Indianapolis Colts are playing remarkably well against Tampa Bay. They're up 10-0. I'm gonna dispense with responses for now, and see if my support for them will allow the Colts to continue this amazing display of offensive production, thusly allowing Talmadge his first peaceful night's sleep this NFL season!

(Comments always welcome by clicking on "Comments" below.)

PRAYER LABYRINTH? . . . . . . . . . . . . OR MAZE?

2011-10-01T22:15:00.003-05:00

On Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:26:11 -0400 (EDT) Ken and Sharyl writes:

I just received this from a friend who used to go to the Nazarene Church. Is there any truth at all to any of this???

Many leave the Nazarene Church as "mysticism" infects the church

http://www.onenewsnow.com/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A ministry based in Massachusetts is voicing its concern about the so-called "emergent church" movement's growing influence on the Nazarene denomination.

The InterMountain Christian News reports that roughly 10,000 Nazarenes in the United States and Canada have left the denomination over the past four years. Manny Silva, director of Stand for Truth Ministries, says research shows that unbiblical ideology is rampant throughout the denomination.

"There is mysticism coming into the denomination -- a lot of mystical practices, including the use of pagan prayer labyrinths. There is the teaching of open theism and process theology in the university," Silva reports. "The underlying problem that is going on in the Church of Nazarene, most of us believe, is the denial that the holy scriptures are the inherent, infallible Word of God."

He goes on to express concerns that institutions like Northwest Nazarene University, Point Loma Nazarene University and Trevecca Nazarene University have become training grounds of flawed theology, but many of the schools have failed to adequately address his organization's concerns.

"Ultimately, we want to at least have people be aware, have as many Nazarenes become aware of these issues as possible...so that even if the responses of clarity that we want to get do not arrive, we'll at least have more people become aware," the Stand for Truth Ministries director notes. "They'll be able to voice their concerns, and hopefully there will be a growing body of Nazarenes who continue to express their concerns until we get a response from the leadership."

Silva adds that many of the Nazarene universities have featured emergent church gurus in recent years, including Donald Miller, Rob Bell, Brian McLaren, and Dallas Willard.

Ken & Sharyl:

I hadn't heard of this worship emigration going on within our church, to the extent this would seem to portray. I personally doubt the numbers, but do believe some of this is occurring.

I have trouble with his use of "mysticism". My little dictionary here at my recliner, defines the word as, "Direct, intuitive knowledge of God." It would appear this man is attempting to utilize his version of that to decry what he doesn't like occurring around his spiritual world. In other words, using the same approaches like so many others and those he would label as "false prophets", he apparently is utilizing the same aspect of worship he's condemning (mysticism-his intuitive knowledge of God), and is therefore just as guilty as those he accuses.

I recently sat under the preaching of a pastor for a few Sundays who roundly condemned the "false prophets and teachers" in our churches. He, himself, preached heresy a few times cloaked as the "Word of God", at the same time he was all about identifying the "real" false prophets in the pulpit.

Having said that, your intro to me on this issue, stimulated a couple enlightening hours of jaunting around the Internet, reading several of his blogs, and tapping into additional links each site contained, as well as several videos of YouTube applying to this subject.

I am slightly familiar with the Emerging Church movement. A few years back, I corresponded with several in the Nazarene ranks --some at the top -- involved in and/or just curious about this worship trend. The emergents were just beginning to make an impact within the auspices of Nazarenedom, and subtlety or diplomacy was NOT their gift. Though I was sympathetic to SOME of their worship paradigms, I continually counseled them on their "all in or you're out" approach, in their attempts to be influential within our denomination. They were very aggressive, holding little tolerance for the huge majority of Nazarenes still mired in traditional worship. That's my personal background in this field.

Several of the links I pursued the other evening, were concerned with "prayer labyrinths" within the Nazarene ranks. One blog explained, "A prayer labyrinth is a labyrinth used to facilitate prayer, meditation, spiritual transformation, and/or global unity. The most famous prayer labyrinths today include an ancient one in the cathedral of Chartres, France, another in the cathedral of Duomo di Siena, Tuscany; and two maintained by Grace Cathedral, an Episcopal church in San Francisco. While prayer labyrinths have been used in Catholic cathedrals for centuries, the past decade has seen resurgence in their popularity, especially within the Emergent Church and among New Age groups and neo-pagans."

I may not get concerned enough about worship trends. As a result, this issue outlined above, doesn't really bother me that much, as neither their somewhat "rude" machinations did, several years back.

We do several things in worship -- gladly accepting their place in our worship repertoires --which have frightening histories behind them. But, we have adapted them to our way of doing things and therefore, we don't allow their humanistic past to deter much of our joy in incorporating them into our mass worship settings.

Easter is the easy, first one to denote here. Especially, sunrise services which have a horrific history compared to what we have always viewed to be acceptable worship practices.

Communion, as well, might be another. Not only do we declare that Christ commanded us to observe this ritualistic form of worship (". . . as oft as you do this . . ."), we likewise ignore the original competitive worship reasoning behind the early church beginning "communion" worship ritual within its ranks.

Contextually, it appears Christ was NOT telling them to observe this event more often than what they already did while celebrating Passover, once a year. He simply was saying that from this point on, when you celebrate the Passover Feast, to do so in remembrance of Him. Calvary was going to replace forever, the historic passing over of the death angel centuries prior, there in Egypt.

And, He was certainly NOT telling non-Jewish believers to start doing communion anymore than he was telling them to celebrate the Passover. We are not Jewish participants in Passover, so to get some Supernatural Admonition to do this worship ritual, from Christ's words to the disciples, is simply, contextually inaccurate.

The satanic worship folk back in the time, instituted their form of "communion" much earlier than the New Testament Church. It drew great crowds. The early church saw the results of such and began to incorporate their version of "communion" into their ranks, seemingly to attain the same popularity as the diametrically opposed satanic ritual.

This "prayer labyrinth" concern, seems to fairly comfortably reside in the same realm as other historically humanistic, worship practices evangelicals have employed. Fact is, it reminds me very much of what happens when any prayer warrior worth his salt, seeks a place of solitude or otherwise -- whatever brings them the greatest comfort -- in order to be able to more intently bombard the Throne with his/her petitions.

I have my special places I consider to be my "prayer closet", which provide me with the greatest atmosphere I can employ in communicating with the Triune. When able, I like to go to a quiet mountain stream, meadow, private golf course, valley, etc., to do my intercessions, as they provide peaceful settings in which to personally meditate on and with God.

How does any of that differ with how the "prayer labyrinths" are being utilized today, especially within the Presbyterian ranks, as well as an isolated Nazarene church here or there?

Though I have no personal knowledge, I strongly dispute the "10,000" number having left the church because of all this, as well as the "15,000" figure used by another blogger. I just don't feel either is accurate.

There has been an exodus, indeed, from the ranks of the Church of the Nazarene, and it has been going on for years. Church officials will deny such by bringing up membership numbers (Although, they can't much do that from the last few years.), weekly attendance, etc. But, they well know that all of this is easily explained by small, yet normal growth expectations within any organizational structure of mature age.

People ARE leaving in numbers disturbing to denominational leadership. A few of them will actually admit it after several 2-liters of Pepsi have been consumed (Some of them do adult beverages, but not all that terribly many of whom I have knowledge.), and then, when they "sober up", deny the efficacy of what they had admitted prior, defending the current quo with newfound, career-longevity desperation. But, it can't all be placed at the feet of this "emergent church" issue.

It's not just Nazarenes. It's organized religion in total, save for a few super church models -- who often stretch the semantical practics of mass worship to the extreme -- as well as a few nationally known TV evangelists and pastors.

It's interesting to me, how the few that are seeming to get it right in their worship practices -- enticing both traditional and contemporary participants -- would have had their chosen practices of worship roundly condemned as well as excluded, within the ranks of our denomination just a few decades back.

If that's the case -- and I feel it to be so -- why do we worry so much about new worship trends? If it glorifies God in both intent and practice, where is the down side?

And, most of it is probably more qualitative in substance, than what MOST average Nazarenes during an average Sunday morning attendance, have to endure as "worship".

I know our comfort is radically challenged by new trends. Mine is as well, although I view myself as very open to worship in just about any form. Still, I have trouble personally enduring the very types of worship I feel we shouldn't necessarily resist to the extent we do.

But, what is painfully discomforting to me, is often the root of true worship to others. I've proven that in my life over and over and over and over. So, I sort of let God handle the weeding out of the chaff while I worship where my personal comfort will allow.

There is a Nazarene church within driving distance of us, I understand has "gone over" to the emergent movement. Several of the traditional aspects of worship are no longer tolerated, and as a result, some of the powerful core of that church, all traditionalists, have found comforting worship elsewhere. Many are now attending a so called "independent" church in the same city, which has enthusiastically embraced them. (Of course, that church has endured their own upheavals in the past, so it behooves them to lovingly welcome as many as they can.)

Though, as several of the emigrants shared their personal agony to me over having had to make that decision . . . I didn't and don't consider that a negative. They've found new roots in another worship setting more befitting their personal comfort. They are no longer hindrances to the church they left in their "new" emergent emphasis. They have found new comfort in the worship of the new venue. Both parties, in spite of the pain, should do well without the other, reaching out to those empowered by their worship nuances.

I think the timidity of the General Church Board of the CotN, on these issues, accurately reflects their mixed feelings concerning these controversial practices. There are traditionalists on the board, as well as those not so much so. The latter, in my approving surprise, have demonstrated far more ability to resist our historical inclination to annihilate any worship style competitor, than I thought they would have been able to muster, this quickly. Though exodus and turmoil have therefore resulted in some quarters of the Nazarene remnant of the evangelical church, I feel, overall, the church as a whole, is a better option for worship, than it has ever been.

However, it still has a long way to go so inclusion, rather than exclusion, MIGHT be better served by Nazarenes.

Just my two cents.

Be blessed!

(Response is always welcome via E-Mail, or by clicking on "Comments" below.)

CAHOONA'S NEIGHS (CAHOONA WHINNIES)

2011-09-04T15:35:00.003-05:00

Cahoona's NEIGH . . . "Theologians" Doing what "Theologians" Do . . .

I like that duo term, "pet peeves". I well remember my mother using those words together so many times in my rearing. Brother, believe me: Mom had pet peeves! I was one of them.

Over the years, teaching has been flayed upon me in response to my thoughts, to the extent some of it has actually penetrated, though probably not far enough in regard to this issue. In other words, I've learned the necessity -- whether I submit to it or not -- of qualifying certain comments I might make by publishing caveats.

In the next several paragraphs, I shall be embarking on an attempt to clarify the playing field I'm about to inhabit. Though I speak somewhat lightly on this aspect of communication, I thoroughly believe what I'm about to intro my thoughts with. This isn't just smoke . . .

Twice in my colorful existence, I've been employed as a full time "pastor". Back in the late 70's, it was for but a brief stint of 9 months or so. More recently, that assignment ran from June, 1998, through August, 2008, before I simply could no longer continue to support that particular church mostly on my own. With great sadness and reluctance, I shut it down. (They are once again back in the process of being a NewStart ministry fellowship under very capable leadership. This time, it appears the district is allowing them to advance under the proven, "scientific" church growth principles, we failed in our attempt to convince our district and mother church hierarchy to allow us to incorporate. It was quite a miracle we were able to accomplish the good we did, without that foundational structure in place. The Lafayette, Louisiana, ministry potential still burns piquantly within our being. It is our fervent prayer this current effort will succeed in realms we were unable.)

In addition, I lived in both pastoral and district superintendents' parsonages while growing up. I worked at the general church level for a time and have had close, intimate relationships with pastors, superintendents, generals, across the spectrum, from the grass roots upward to the very top.

All this has enlightened me to the perils and challenges of one actually choosing the career path of "pastor", or, as most of them like to refer to themselves as being, "theologian". In My Obnoxious Opinion (IMOO), regardless of how they strive to be that, the more the latter designation is prioritized over the prior, the less effective they become for Kingdom good.

But, that career path is fraught with potentially life changing, reputation murdering, suicidal options, to a level slightly above normal career treks. As a result, I have great empathy for all who embrace this manner of making a living in this era.

And, I firmly believe, while carrying out the wishes of the local governing lay leaders, in the process of so doing, each pastor/"theologian" has a organizational right to espouse the Gospel in a way he sees fit, as long as it remains under the canopy of his denominational doctrinal parameters. I attempt not to detract from pastors' bents on so doing -- nor do I try to ignore their many, many, difficult situations they must endure with the accompanying personal pain most of the time -- when I address what I view to be their incompetency.

The pastor's life is difficult at best and life threatening at worst. I've seen that from so many vast, variable, contextual vantage points in my life. When commenting on processes employed from this sect of society I often view with great sympathy, it is NOT an attempt to personally attack any of them. It's simply a difference of opinion in how they conduct themselves.

Nothing more and nothing less. And, always in a manner to encourage discourse on the subjects presented, without condemnation or judgementalism, motivating the verbiage.

Fact is, I often find the ministerial perpetrators with whom I have great pause, far more interesting than the more bland of the clergy brethren, of whom I encounter on occasion. Never is there an attempt to demean or tear down individuals, from my sector.

That leaves me in an awkward position, often, due to how individuals at times, when they feel they are personally being addressed, react with candor denoting some personal attack they feel they've absorbed. It is NOT my intent to make their oft difficult life, even more so. It's all about the issues addressed, and NOT the individuals.

When I address common issues I've observed, as with all writing technique, it's far more persuasive when the quillsman uses experiences from his own life to justify his editorial comments. Again, this is where reaction to such by certain people in my life, presents challenging awkwardness where if they fully accepted my motives, such would not exist to the level they claim.

Cahoona has been known to attend church, probably not as often as some of you, but regularly. As a result, he opens himself to the theological advances of a particular pastor of a particular church at which he may choose to worship. A handful or so of you receiving this, may indeed, be in knowledge of the pastor on whom I may be addressing my remarks. I was informed of this by the pastor involved at one point in the past, when I addressed issues he raised.

It's for that reason, these last several, stumbling paragraphs have been included. I don't think they should be necessary, but they apparently are.

Therefore, I must assure you that I have no desire to personally say anything negative about this young man. As pastors go, he's probably as good as most, and he seems especially well fitted for this local congregation who hasn't always been ambitiously driven to win the lost community around them at any costs.

That's not a slight on either of them. I'm simply saying why it seems to me they're a good fit. IMOO, there's no damning element to simply wanting to have comfortable worship in a setting a group of people desire, not really craving the additional difficulties confronting a community aggressively and actively with the Good News, dramatic church growth portends.

And, this young man has done very well in advancing some pretty antiquated aspects of the worship environment there, to at least within a few years of the current quo. Many of us didn't think that would happen in this fellowship, even for years to come.

Pastors are given great levity in extolling their beliefs from a platform seldom challenged. I have always felt it healthy to have laity respond pro/con to such pastors' efforts. I always welcomed it in my pastoring when it was done in a spirit of sharing different insights that might be more truthful than the ones I shared.

I never had a taste for caviar, so, enough of that. Caviar always seemed to discolor the taste of the reason it was there to begin with: The sumptuous meal to follow. (Ha!)

So, enough of that apologetic caveating . . .

It was under the ministry of this young man, recently, that this aspect of so many ministers of the Word, was once again confronting me as I personally laid witness to the effort. As I said before, it's just not him. It is so many sincerely motivated (I think.) ministers of every ilk that seem constantly bent on making what I feel is a contextual mistake, when it comes to analyzing the Word. Though not to this level, I've done it as well and am therefore just as guilty.

Apparently, a couple weeks before, he had begun a series of Sunday morning sermons on -- don't laugh when you hear it as I inwardly did when he announced his continued intentions that morning -- the book of . . . JUDE! I think this was the third week in the series and he covered up through verse 8, as I recall. So, it appears, this series will continue for 2-3 months of Sundays?

As you recall, Jude has but a few verses . . . 25-35 or so, if I remember correctly. From my work in it years ago, I'm not totally certain the scholars agree as to whom, specifically, it was originally written. However, one can probably assume a church or two, and perhaps a few pastors, might have had access to this work. To be liberal with our speculations, due to "church" size back then as well as the number of pastors who MIGHT have had access, maybe 30-50 people max, is the total number of those who either read or heard it read to them.

Without a doubt, IMOO, if it was 50, probably 45 or more of them had it read to them, verbally! And, not repeatedly, but . . . ONCE!!!!

Assuming it was indeed, Jude, who wrote it . . . he was well aware of the size and scope of the "audience" to whom he was penning his words. He had NO expectations that a small church in SW Louisiana might be spending months absorbing its content hundreds and hundreds of years later. He wouldn't even have dreamed of such a thing! He was NOT writing it for any other purpose than to be read and heard by his expected audience of a few dozen or so, IF THAT. And again, most of those only heard one verbal rendition of it and who knows in what environment that actually occurred?

So, by approaching it in the manner that is being critiqued here, original author's intent, scope, and meaning is being terribly skewed, IMOO.

This isn't the worst aspect of this practice as I see it, however. And, even if you disagree with some of my set-up comments here concerning this work, reflect back upon the thousands of such attempts you have listened to in your evangelical history, as pastors who so desire to have themselves viewed as "theologians", spew forth such antics regardless of the particular scripture passage being skewed, or its original intent or purpose. Use that, if you desire, as your basis for considering the efficacy of what really bothers me about this practice.

I see nothing wrong, in general, in applying scripture contrary to its original intent. We all do and have done that, giving God the credit for so doing, of course. I think that's probably an acceptable, PERSONAL privilege a believer can incorporate into his/her personal study.

BUT, when you take it to the public arena, as via the pulpit . . . you really should have needs must qualify your statements with at least something like this, "This is my take on this scripture passage in applying it to today, thousands of years later, in a society and church totally unlike anything in Biblical times. If you agree with it, fine. If not, no problem. Who knows who's right? My take might be accurate or yours might be. But, let's consider my thoughts for a few moments, OK?"

Preaching is very much like blogging. You share your take on issues which may or may not have authentic Biblical substantiation. Just make that known, OK?

Let me say here as I've said millions of times before (But it really isn't necessary as blogging is always considered editorial in content. Preaching if far too often elevated to the stanchion of "truth", which it seldom is. It normally dwells in the realm of personal insights just as well as any editorial page you might read on any given day.) . . . "Cahoona may be way off base here. This is my opinion and my pet peeve. If you disagree, you may be right and I may be wrong!"

The real problem generated by this practice, is the almost guaranteed, spurious out takes on original intent that are sure to result, when such effort, time, and study, is emitted upon fairly simply written and worded scriptural manuscripts. I mean, the Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic languages were a bit difficult, but the English language is almost impossible to decipher. (Just think of how errant in intent, many will take this simply worded blog to be.)

The scriptural writers were writing NOT TO US, but to a particular situation, audience, and reader living in a world totally different than ours, for a particular reason!

Back to Jude and this young man and his many other ministerial brethren . . .

What resulted in this case, this particular Sunday and one subsequent to it I attended, using his analysis of Jude, were statements along this line. You try finding parallels in those few short verses to this, please! They don't exist in the original contextual writing. This is ALL this young man's applications to hammer certain issues that he was intent on hammering, only, this time, using Jude as his foundation for so doing. He's preached against these same themes many times before using other passages. Again, almost all of pastordom does this, not just him, and it's this to whit Cahoona takes greatest offense . . .

"God hates so much of the worship forms going on today in our churches." Wow . . . really? I've been to almost every church in this particular area, even Catholic, and was able to worship in all, even in his church, albeit the low aesthetic quality his congregants are able to produce. What was he talking about? God INHABITS the praises of His people and whether you care for the particular format or not, matters not to Him! He honors it! I don't particularly enjoy his church's version, but I'll sure never say God hates it! He honors our praise!!!!!

"God hates dividers in the church! Those that spread discord and disagree with what the church body or pastor has decided." That pretty well takes care of Cahoona with this blog, for sure! So . . . God DOESN'T love me, huh? He hates me! OK . . . .

"Holiness in NOT women wearing apparel which emphasize their body parts. Men shouldn't look with lust, but women should not dress, even though covered modestly, with tight clothes and such which emphasize their bodies! God hates that!" I've heard this silliness all my life, but not recently. I really thought we had gotten beyond such nonsense like way back in the early 70's, but apparently, not. What really disgusted me about this (And take this next, tongue-in-cheek, please. The only reason I noticed it as I don't generally take note of such things regardless of the gender of the person wearing the clothes, were his words there about women and their clothing.) I looked over at him as he said this, noted his open collar shirt and slacks which he normally preaches in if not denim (I like that, BTW.), and saw how his pleated pants were bunched together, sitting rather low, under his little rotund belly. As a result of his posture and positioning of his pants, his "package" was jutting out 2-3 inches toward the microphone stand. I think I messed up here, though. There's nothing wrong with men emphasizing parts of their body, huh? It's just the women doing it that God hates?

Then, "Much of this passage from Jude, today, is instructions to pastor. Now, obviously, pastors can't live up to all these." Really? But, the laity are supposed to live up to all of Jude's desires, huh? OK.

I had about a dozen other near quotes that he articulated those two Sundays, but I think you get my point?

When you take a book of the Bible some 30 or so verses in length (Or, truth be told, ANY passage.), written to a different era, audience, and for different purposes, and expound upon it for weeks . . . one has to come up with something to fill up the time with one's hot air! And, when so doing, how can it be deemed anything but another attempt to massage, manipulate, and distort scripture?

Again, it's not just this pastor. It's rampant in the church of today. One of my icons, Jimmy Swaggart, does this better than anyone! He makes this local pastor appear as a rookie at it!

Why?!

The Gospel is indeed, the Good News! We are NOT under the spiritual legalistic standards God sent His Son to destroy! And yet, while acknowledging that on the surface, ministers take every available opportunity, regardless of the inaccuracy of so applying scriptural truth as their motive, to lambaste and attempt to control their congregants by so doing.

It nauseates Cahoona. And, just not him!

A businessman this week reiterated to me how often ministers "lie" about scripture in order to blast their churches with their own personal views on life. Many others have shared that with me even when I was in the ministry attempting to get them to start attending church again. He and millions of others are sick of it, just like Cahoona. It was the primary reason I couldn't drag myself to sit under this approach even today.

Stop it! Don't go down that road!

The Word is about Calvary! Calvary IS the Good News, not your humanistic rants you feel might get you temporary applause from a selected power base in your ministry.

There are a million ways to share the Calvary, Cross experience and you'll never run out of material. Stick to the tried and proven, OK? Quit running off people with the hollowness of your goofy paradigms and words used to express them, OK?

Is it any wonder churches bogged down in such a mire, seldom show growth?

**********

Another Cahoona NEIGH . . . Media Sporting Event Cheerleaders . . .

In a few minutes, here, I'm going to probably involve myself in the current telecast of the FEDEX golf playoffs. It's a four-event tournament, I think, covering that same number of weekends, with weekly cuts made wheedling the number to qualify for the next week's event, down considerably, based on one's score which translates into points within the FEDEX tournament structure.

I think the first cut allowed the top 100 points makers to compete, then it will be down to 70 after this week. I think the top 50 next weekend, and then only 24 or so, the final week. The prize money awaiting the ultimate high points producer, IN ADDITION to any prize money won weekly, is about $10 million, I think.

Anyway, these are supposed to represent the best playing golfers in the world, at this particular moment in sports. They are the cream of the crop.

I think most of them are well aware of their inadequacies. I've played enough to know and won at a high enough level to understand, that even though victories may be achieved, the golfer, himself, is most aware of the weaknesses in his game. But, to listen to TV announcers, you seldom will be able to deduce such about any of them.

These guys hit the golf ball a towering distance! There is no question about that. But, even lousy golfers can hit it as far! Technology has promoted this discrepancy and yet announcers sound as if only the superest of the golf super stars, have the ability to crank it 300 yards! It just tain't so!

Then, they swoon and marvel over their approaches into greens. Back in Arnie's, Jack's, and Trevino's era (Followed closely by Cahoona's.), you were challenged continually by having to hit greens with mid irons (4-7 irons), and often, a spoon (2-wood), 3-wood, or 2-3 iron shot, to attain the greens in regulation. (2-under the par for that hole.)

Again, the difference is technology, not better players now! When they hit 75% of their greens, using mostly 8-irons through sand wedges, the announcers have golfasms! It's sickening! You can make a strong case that players of today can't even walk in the shadows of yester-year's pros.

I don't care where you're playing, be it Augusta National or Branch Public (It's actually tougher there as their average green is only about 6 yards in length and 5 yards in width.), a 9-iron is a 9-iron, and you're SUPPOSED to hit greens with those, even rank amateur newbies! You can either hit those easiest to hit clubs the required scant distance, or you can't! When you do, that's expected!

Now, if like Arnie, Jack, Lee and Cahoona, they're having to hit low numbered irons and woods into greens to arrive there in regulation, and they then hit 75% of the greens in so doing . . . REJOICE! Be glad! That's an achievement!

When you are cursed to watch golfing events on TV to enable your napping habit or for whatever other diabolical reason you conjure up, and you hear, "Great shot! Wow!", like the book of Jude . . . PLEASE take it in context, will you?

And, announcers, "STOP THAT!"

ADDENDUM: As I predicted, the LSU Criminal Felons dismantled the Ducks from Oregon last evening. As I watched, I continued to get nauseated over the antics of college/pro football players, as I had all day and have for years.

I mean, here they are, 20 points down. They make a tackle for little gain. They jump and jiggle and drool all over each other. One even celebrated after tackling one of the Felons that had just resulted in a first down for LSU, over the wonderfulness of his tackle!

You're SUPPOSED to tackle your opponents! You have done NOTHING by so doing! You're just doing your job! Especially, when you've been beaten all over the field for most of the game, or your opponent gets his first down, etc.! Just get you butt back down to where you're supposed to be and go about doing it all over again!

It makes you want to puke, huh?

Just wait until the pros get revved up this week and you get to view their version of this assinine silliness!

(Response is always welcome by clicking

"Comments" below.)

CAHOONA'S YUPS & NEIGHS

2011-09-03T18:01:00.001-05:00

Though it will probably burst many of his peeps' paradigms, I must assert this reality, here: Cahoona not only has those things that are endearing to him (Yups), but, as well, has certain aspects of life that challenge the omniscience of his peaceful habitats, lovingly referred to as his pet peeves (Neighs).

YUP . . . The Barnes & Noble, "Nook Color 8G" . . .

I was reared in my youth within a home which obviously had no video games or PCs, had no TV, radio programs were closely monitored and censored, even most of the religious recordings highly suspicioned. Contrary, books were never suspicioned. Hence, there was little else left with which to entertain one's self, other than becoming athletic stars on our own, musicians, or, reading.

I chose the initial and the latter. Because of my comparable size and speed advantage to my peers up through 10th grade (That's when they finally caught up with me.), sports were easy activities for Cahoona to excel in receiving both enjoyment and great feedback from strangers.

Reading was an entirely different animal of an outlet for pleasure. I took to it with a personal drive I've seldom outdone in any other area of life, both prior and since. With the skills I had, should I have applied that fervor to athletic endeavors, I probably could have taken my pick of three different professional sports as a career.

It was like I was driven from some force which held great power over me. I couldn't consume enough to whet my voracious appetite for such.

I'm not entirely certain why that came to be. School was boringly easy. I was fascinated by drama and as we had no TV, I suppose I took that emphasis to my local library and it quickly became habitual. As a very young men, even in the 3-4th grades, I was totally bored by the children's section of any library. I had begun infusing myself into all levels of adult literary works. (Many were the times people would witness me riding my bike three miles round trip, to and from the library, in all kinds of weather, balancing 6-8, thick adult books while so doing. No bicycle baskets, book sacks, backpacks, etc.) Up until the first year of high school or there about, I had literally inhaled thousands upon thousands of works, from cover to cover.

Then, with entry into the Advanced Placement courses in high school, I was then forced to read works of writers of whom I had no interest whatsoever, in either their style or plots. Book reading quickly waned as I only then would briefly scan what I was required to read, losing appetite for personal reading and stopping that entirely by the time I was a junior in high school.

I can hardly endure those that always are reading this or that and have needs must inform you of some title or work which they highly recommend you read for whatever reason. It's as if their life is so meaningless, they must try to find reason and purpose in the works of others and are only happy in so doing, when they can try to get others to clone their life style. So, early in my adult years, I began informing people when a title was recommended to me or inquired of as to my reading habits, "Have you read such and such?", that I didn't read anything. I simply watched TV.

Now, neither was true. I guess that was my aggressive defense against their continual penchant to cavalierly suggest that my life would only be further benefited, if I read what they desired me to read.

I mean, I DID read. I consumed every newspaper made available to me as well as most news mags. And, I didn't JUST watch TV. I watched a lot of TV and still do, but it was almost all news hound, talking heads, current events programming, PBS, documentaries, which captivated most of my viewing habits.

The only book other than scripture I had read in decades, was one entitled, "The Shack". And, I only did so because a young friend of mine implored me to. I wildly promised him I would for appeasement sake. One day I was feeling especially guilty for having lied to him, picked up the book he gave me, and the work positively broke me in so many spiritual realms. The book was powerful and I've give out cases of it to many others as a ministry outlet for me.

That's pretty much been my total history with reading since early high school.

For some crazy, unknown reason, my lovely angel daughter, KK Dawg, got me a Barnes and Noble, "Nook Color 8G", this past Father's day. They don't come cheap, I really didn't want to start reading again, so for those reasons and several others, though I was most grateful for the thoughtfulness behind the gift, contrary to what I told her, I really didn't think I'd use it much.

Little Nookie, as I call her, isn't only a color electronic reader, but has WiFi, and several other aspects to her which make her quite appealing. The current cost is one negative. I don't think you'll find it yet for under $249.00. Amazon is coming out with their color version of the Kindle in a few weeks, so look for the price of Nook to drop.

I did read where "readers" are selling much quicker, now, than "IPad" products. The main reason is undoubtedly the cost difference. But, I contend, the fact that it's all the computer most need, adds to those numbers.

She has hundreds of applications just like all the i-phone apps. Many of them are quite useful. A good number of them are free and others only cost a few $$$$.

I believe the screen is 7" and fits nicely to carry in one's hand, especially when a leather case is added. It's big enough so you don't have to squint or hold it close to read it.

These cases can be quite expensive, but if you go online, you can find them dirt cheap. My leather case with a stand to prop it up on a table, brand new, cost me under $4.00 at amazon.com. The same case went for almost $75.00 at Barnes and Noble. Elsewhere, I've seen some cases over $400.00 and others, higher.

The color/definition is probably better than your PC. And, the WiFi aspects provide all the computer programs probably 90% of the public ever need: Spreadsheets, E-mail, Internet, Word Processing, and thousands upon thousands of other applications additionally available. (Again, many of those are free.) Nookie could easily become all the PC most would ever need.

Subscriptions to other sites can be accessed as well, upon payment, allowing full versions (Not online versions) of current daily newspapers, magazines, any other published works to be automatically downloaded upon their publishing date, into your Nook. This was a major reason Kara and Sam got this for me. I had home subscribed to delivery of USA Today in the past, and for a few dollars less annually, I could now wake up every morning, turn on Little Nookie, and the paper is waiting for my perusal. (That beats running outside to the street to pick it up!)

It's most convenient to use. One neat thing about digital reading on your PC (Especially on my 60" monitor.), is that it frees BOTH hands for eating while you read! Little Nookie provides this as well by reclining, even prostrate on your favorite chair or bed or floor or whatever, propping Nookie up on her little stand, and eating away to your heart's content (Or death) as you peruse whatever your screen is portraying.

You have complete adjustment control over the screen brightness, enabling you to adjust contrast perfectly for whatever setting you're reading in, be it very bright or totally dark. This accompanied by the ability to use whatever font size you desire, allows reading to become a hassle-free experience while just ingesting the screen contents, or doing other things as well, as you do so.

Nook Color 8G, comes loaded with 8G of memory as its name implies. You can add an additional 16G by inserting up to a 16G memory card. 8G will contain about 6,000 adult books (Try balancing that many while riding your bike.) if I recall correctly, and over 10,000 songs. (It has a plug for headphones to listen to books being read for you, music, all downloaded material, etc.) It also has its own little speaker which one cannot rely upon being able to hear, in noisy environments.

You can even download movies. Many of the children's books are animated by Nookie. Kids love it.

Almost every library, now, has digital books available for lending. My small, local library here, combines its inventory with five other libraries in other, larger towns, and it makes for a huge variety of books and subjects which can be accessed. It takes less than five seconds for most to load directly into Nookie. They use your regular library card number and there are no additional costs. When the book is due back, it automatically is removed from your Nook and you can reload, then, if necessary.

In addition, there are about 140,000 titles available through your library and at other web sites, for you to download and keep forever, for FREE! These are made up of most of the classic books ever written, religious books, fiction, nonfiction, etc. When you give Barnes and Noble your Nookie ID, every Friday, they release a free novel to you if you want it. In addition, many of the books available through Barnes and Noble, for a price to buy in hard cover, are free in digital form for your Nook. Obviously, this is not always the case. Usually, digital versions of books will run about 10-70% less than the hard cover versions.

And, all can be loaded simultaneously, BOTH on your Nook and any PC, to be read in whatever medium you desire.

The rechargeable battery (Won't recharge while plugged in to your USB on a PC. It has to be electrically charged with the included charger. There are mobile chargers available as well. The charge will last about eight hours of reading, depending on the brightness setting, how many graphics, pictures, etc., there are or aren't. It takes only a couple hours to completely recharge, if that.

There is the obligatory learning curve with this gadget, which all such products seem to now require. I hate that! But, once you've navigated those frustratingly difficult for me waters, you'll have it down to being able to use it as simply as opening the cover of any book you've ever read.

Many eating places, businesses, etc., are WiFi powered. Nookie has replaced Oosa (USA Today), as my favorite eating out companion, as a result.

Out of guilt, mostly, I borrowed a couple digital books from the library about two weeks after Little Nookie moved in with me. Alas, as I was subconsciously afraid would happen, I got hooked!

Pat was gone for the summer and I began to consume books as I had done decades earlier in my very young life. More than a dozen mornings this summer, as the clock turned to 5:00-5:30 AM (One morning, 6:45 AM), I was still awake consuming whatever book I had loaded in, before finally, turning off the power and catching a few zzz's. Several books read were over 900 pages in the hard cover format. I've read more books since last Father's Day, than probably most of you readers have read in the last five years or so.

Now, a bit hesitantly, not wanting to clone the behavior of the need-a-life pseudo intellectuals I described earlier, I want to share a couple works I've come across in this last reading campaign, which I found stellar.

You fundamental theologians will have a cow, but both are written by Malcolm Smith. (Get over it! He manipulates far less scripture than you all do!)

The first one is, The Power of the Blood Covenant, or something like that. What a powerful take on Calvary! Chapter nine is especially wonderful as well as Chapter 13. Get it and read those chapters if nothing else. It was also published a long time ago, under a different title, I think. Our local library here in Crowley, ordered the hardback version at my request, so it's available there for lend, if you'd rather read it that way.

Then, his work, Spiritual Burnout, is a great read exploring the reasons for and the ways to combat such. (I can't believe I just recommended two books to be read! I don't do this! I watch TV!)

Just this week, I was with a well known Lafayette businessman. He was sharing his burnout over the church in general, with me. It's an epidemic whose proportions have never been greater than now.

Normally and surprisingly to many, church burnout doesn't always hurt one's spiritual journey that much. Fact is, it often stimulates those afflicted, to greater heights. It's when people relate such to having less faith in God, that burnout becomes a potentially, eternally damning travesty. The two don't have to go together.

You can count on it: The church will ALWAYS fail you.

God won't, and never will.

Got some bucks laying around? Get yourself your version of that little lady, Nookie. You'll be glad you did!

**********

YUP/NEIGH . . . . . Jimmy Swaggart on a particular Sunday Morning . . .

I've always had a yen for Jimmy. Even when he was daily, on his TV program -- "A Study in the Word" -- insultingly blasting another spiritual icon of mine at the time, Jimmy Bakker, all the while watching the New Orleans' ladies of the night do what they do in his leased private chambers (Remember, there was no touching involved!) . . . even then, he radiated enough charisma to continue my penchant for him.

Having survived and come out the other end (Which Bakker was restricted from doing thanks to everyone he saw as threatening to him, spiritual nemesis, Jerry Falwell.), Swaggart has of late, found a real ministry niche out there. They are now, maybe better than before the fall, powerfully proclaiming the message of the Cross as no other ministry even comes close to emulating, while apparently finding the financial means to do so. (His annual budgetary expenditures have increased in magnitude to a multiple factor of about 22 times, just in the last 15 months or so.).

His 24/7 radio, TV, internet broadcasts emanate with a wide appeal for many burned out, resigned disbelievers of organized ministry in general. The worship accessible at just about any moment of any day, is powerful in aura. His three times weekly, live telecasts of their actual services there in Baton Rouge, portray the virtual idea of "home church" as a more appealing, more viable in so many aspects, than organized religion's "real" version available to most.

You don't have to agree with him to get sucked into his quality programming. Fact is, most of what he espouses in the editorial realm (Not most of his scriptural takes.), is without merit in my way of thinking. All that is easy to overlook, however, as true worship is easily stiumulated by the aesthetic aspects of their media beamed ministries.

I've almost always disagreed with him and told him so in writing, way back during his tyrannical crusade-like tirades against Jim and Tammy. He responded and we dialogued back and forth, for several months subsequently.

I was worshipping with him and his Family Christian community one Sunday morning on my fabulous recliner, when he began to illustrate a portion of his sermon by sharing an E-mail his wife had received that week. It had come from a couple who had two or three children to show from their stable, 14 year relationship, but whom had never been married.

One of Jimmy's rants that morning had been on the need for couples to marry before God and stop the trend of about 65% of couples in this era, who simply cohabitate together without legalizing their vows for each other. Each professed a strong relationship with the Lord, were members of the television ministry church, and were good givers/tithers to Swaggart's ministries.

They shared how by not marrying thereby revealing they were living together, they both were able to receive government benefits for themselves as well as their children. The wife told Francis Swaggart in the E-mail, that if they did as Jimmy had so often preached -- got married before God via a Godly pastor --they would surely not survive financially. They were barely making it month to month with their current government aid and if that was cut by becoming legally married, they would go under.

She ended her E-mail with something along this line, "What are believers supposed to do who get caught up in this type of situation? Should we marry as your husband says, losing most of our benefits, trusting God to bail us out financially?"

I began salivating in anticipation of Swaggart's response after this tasty morsel had set the stage for Jimmy to be what Jimmy always is. After a dramatic, pregnant pause (Several professorial thespians around this country, though hating what he does, have labeled Jimmy Swaggart's public speaking abilities as an example of some of the most effective oratory available in our society.), he laughed his awkward giggle, dramatically wiped his sweating brow with his handkerchief, and muttered conspicuously, "I know I'm going to get in trouble for this, but I just have to say it."

I knew what was coming. That couple was going to be roasted live on radio/TV/internet media in front of millions of viewers. I don't like this aspect of Swaggart but that does little to temper the joyful anticipation of knowing what's going to visually and verbally unwind in front of me.

Only thing is, Jimmy didn't go the route I fully expected. He went off on another tangent, one which I didn't entirely disagree with, but nonetheless, verbiage which has placed him smack dab in Cahoona's YUP/NEIGH sites. It wasn't wonderfully acceptable nor was it immorally repugnant. Still, once uttered, I knew full well he was going to pay dearly for what he said . . . but, to this day, several weeks later, he's still gotten by with it!

He began to respond to the E-mail by stating as he has done thousands upon thousands of times prior, the need for marriage to be ordained by God via a religious ceremony, in order for couples to live together. He then stated how that was the most important priority in any couple's life. Far more so, he added, than following the policies of corrupt governments which ours was.

He then emphasized that point by rhetorically bleating, "How could one EVER lie to a corrupt system such as ours, anyway?"

Then, he once again said the couple needed to find a Godly pastor, have him unite them under the unction of God, and do so, immediately. Until that happened, they would be in disobedience to our Lord on their way to hell.

Then . . . and this was the part which somewhat shocked me and earned his placement here . . . he said, "Don't worry about your finances. God will take care of you."

"And, anyway, why does the government have to know that you've finally obeyed God's Word? It's not their blessing you need and are seeking, it's God's!"

"So . . . why tell them?"

(I'm going to share my NEIGHS in another blog. I'm tiring of writing this one, the LSU Felons are shortly going to disembowel the West Coast Ducks, and though I know it may break some of your all's hearts, you'll have to wait a while for my pet peeves. In the meanwhile, "Be blessed!"

(Response is always welcome E-mail, or here, by clicking on "Comments" below.)

SIR ALFRED

2011-08-21T00:15:00.001-05:00

I've been privileged to know and associate closely with more than a couple Alfred Thompsons in my life. My latest relationship with the current Al, is by far, the most intimate and special of the whole lot.

Sunday evening, July 31, he was as normal, spending the night in our home. Pat was gone doing her ministry work, so his companionship was a most welcome comfort as it had been most of the summer. He had been restless most of the day and as darkness had fallen an hour or two prior, he decided to head outside by himself to be alone for awhile, and walk our property.

I hadn't noticed his absence yet, when suddenly, the door burst open and he sort of desperately seemed to drag his body across the living room behind my recliner where I was in my normal repose, pushing the door open to our bedroom. I then heard him collapse on the bed. He didn't normally enjoy isolation like that and seldom sought the confines of our bedroom if we weren't there.

A soft, low, penetrating whining moan began to waft through the rooms of our home and I instantly jerked upward. That was wrong. That sound had never passed his lips. My close, close friend, was in a bad way so some inexplicable reason!

I lurched in knowing panic, up from my nearly prone position, stumbled into our bedroom, to find Alfred laying prostrate on one side of his body, across the width of our king size bed, breathing heavily, his large, blue eyes meeting mine in a silent plea for help, briefly interrupting his whining moan, only to once again commence it with more fervor, as our eyes locked upon each other.

I carefully examined him as he made no other, audible explanation but that pleading moan. I could find nothing wrong and verbalized my perplexed, growing anxiety. He replied not at all answering none of my probing inquiries, only continuing to moan away, eyes still locked desperately and steadfastly upon mine.

Alfred is a large brute of a male, about 50% over what he should weigh. I struggled with his extreme weight to carefully roll his body over to the other side, glancing down at his large feet as I did so, making sure they didn't entangle his legs on the bedposts. It was then I saw it!

There were two tiny droplets of blood at the bottom of his right foot, spaced about an inch and a half apart, and I immediately knew my worst fears of several years, were now being fully realized, right there on my bed.

Alfred's legal name is Sir Alfred Thompson, III, and is 37 in human years. He's my five-year old, pure white, Siberian Husky, second only to my family, in dearness to me . . .

Siberian Huskies are amazing animals. I had admired them all my life as well as Alaskan Malamutes. For whatever reason, I had never felt comfortable in bringing one into our home (The first two Alfies had been America Eskimo Spitz), prior to five years ago this past January.

I was there with my daughter trying to comfort Dakota (Alf's dad), as Kara helped Baibee (Alf's mother) deliver a very difficult litter. The newborns of various sizes and colors, were absolute beauties. But, when that tiny, all white form emerged (From the seed of grey/white and black/white parents), one of the smaller pups of the litter, I immediately knew that my life was about to change . . . . . . .

Some time ago, as we were traveling the byways of this great country, we pulled into a truck stop to allow Alfie his need for a break, and to refreshen ourselves. As I was walking with him around the various trucks parked in this large lot, a well dressed truck driver in his mid-twenties, approached me.

He was a muscular man of medium height, well dressed for a truck driver, and he humbly asked if he could approach Alfie. Alfie is a 99 lb., 6 oz., bundle of white love. That's all he's ever known or displayed. He doesn't know how to be aggressive with people.

The truck driver bent over and spent several -- awkward to me -- seconds fondling my dog, then buried his head into his fur for about half a minute. The silence was deepening in complexity. When he finally raised his head, I could see that he was crying and had attempted to cover that fact up in the beautiful white fur of Sir Alfred.

His name was Michael. Just six weeks prior, he had decided to have removed, the the then large tumor which had been growing on his 18 month old Husky for over nine months. He shared how the tumor really hadn't affected anything physically in his dog, Butler, but the sheer size of the now 12" in diameter tumor on the side of his head, was simply becoming a nuisance both he and his vet felt had to be finally dealt with.

They successfully removed it, but 12 hours later, Butler had succumbed.

As Michael shared this portion of the end of Butler with me, his tears turned to quiet, manly, dignified sobbing. His shoulders were shaking with the inward wracking of his emotions. I hugged a truck driver I had never met prior in my life, that afternoon, as he tried to regain control.

"These dogs," he continued, "these Huskies, they get inside you like no other dog I've ever had. It's like they are part of your being."

"Butler laid there in my lap after my vet had told me what was about to happen, and as he looked at me with those big blue eyes -- exactly like your Alfie's eyes -- I couldn't hold it back."

"You don't know me and you won't believe me after what you've seen here today, but I'm not a crier. I've just never been emotional. But that day in the vet's office, I cried like a child and Butler just kept licking me trying to comfort me, penetrating me with his eyes. I closed my eyes for a moment and suddenly, he sighed as they do all the time, and the licking stopped."

"I looked down and Butler, just like that, had left us. It's been over a month and I cry every time I think about it. When I saw your dog, he's pure white just like my Butler . . . I had to come and be with him a little while, for Butler's sake. Do you know what I mean?"

I did as my eyes had begun tearing as well.

"That breed of dog gets in your being like no other I've ever known. Thanks for giving me these moments. You don't know what it means to me. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, but it's all because of Butler."

**********

This past week, a peer of mine saw me from a distance, and knowing about my Alfie, came over to me.

"I lost her last week." she said with her voice breaking.

"We were out in the country for the weekend at my aunt's. They have a large, isolated property, and Mannie (Her Siberian Husky) was enjoying running all over the property. You know, normally, you really have to keep them tied up or on a leash."

"But," she continued, "we were only going to be gone for about thirty minutes, so I thought I'd leave her loose. There's no traffic out there and no other people for a couple miles."

"When we drove back up the long, gravelled drive when we returned, I could see her hairy body over under the tree, cooling off, and it looked like she was sleeping. Even as I walked toward her after getting out of the car, she didn't respond to us having returned. When I got up to her, there was my beautiful Mannie's body, but it didn't look like she had a face anymore."

"Some wild animal and her apparently got into it and it must have been a horrible way to die. There was little left of her face. It was completely gone."

She, too, had begun to cry.

"We've never had a dog like that before. They get into your soul like no other. Every time I see you, I'm going to have these bad memories of what just happened to my Mannie."

**********

My daughter, a week ago or so, was in line at PetCo, buying some stuff for Baibee and Dakota. Though in the line to check out and the next one to be serviced, she noted a Siberian Husky in another part of the store, walking on a leash beside her master.

As husky owners are prone to do as well as the general public most of the time when they sight one, she left the line, forgot about her purchases, and went over and began conversing with this stranger and his best friend. (Huskies are fabulous chic magnets!)

She told me she simply shared how she owned huskies as well, and he immediately began gushing something along this line . . .

"Aren't they wonderful dogs!? They change your life, from the inside out! They just get in your soul and you are a better person. It's like no other pet I've ever owned! He's changed me forever."

Siberian Huskies are not for everyone. They are a handful to handle and raise. You must be a committed owner or they will simply be too much. But, accompanying that commitment, will be a relationship you never thought possible with a dog.

One, they simply don't have that doggie smell. They just don't stink.

They keep themselves very, very clean. Alfie is pure white and you'd never know it, but he has only had one bath in the last 14 months. He has his own doggie door built into our patio doors, so he can come and go outside as he pleases.

They are a "wandering" breed, which simply means, you must keep them in a controlled environment. If they get loose, they often wander for days and many of them never return. It's their wolf inbredded instinct to wander.

They are the strongest dogs for their size, I've ever encountered. Alf jerked me completely off my feet onto the ground, while I held the leash, several times as a younger puppy. (You're talking almost a quarter ton of human flesh, there, by the way, being knocked over! You try that some time!)

They are extremely intelligent and fast learners. However, they're pretty much single minded in nature. This means, that regardless of how much affection, loyalty, love, etc., they have for you, if another wild animal such as a squirrel or rabbit, armadillo, raccoon, skunk, cats, cross their vision or scent, you will no longer be their primary focus. (All of those have trespassed on our property at one time or another to their demise.)

So, if leashed, hold on! You're in for a ride! If they're loose, you better hope you have your property fenced in with at least a 5-foot fence, as we do. (6 foot fences are recommended for this breed.)

In the years we've had him, ONLY TWICE has Alfie failed to discern the difference between the sky and our ceiling . . . and that was very early on in his very young life. They're very quick learners wanting only to please their master companions.

The male of the household quickly becomes the Alpha Male I. As a result, I don't get as much of the husky affection Pat does, but that's replaced with soul endearing respect.

They are deceptively large animals. Alf, when stretching against us standing on his hind legs, is right at 6 feet in length. As I said prior, he's a very strong, very heavy dog.

Perfect, trouble free pets? Not by a long shot!

In addition to being "wanderers", even more of a challenge, is their 24/7 ability to year round, continue to shed their amazing coats of fur! At least down in this subtropical environs, that's the case. Up north, they probably would only do it 2-3 times annually. Down here: It's constant!

If you've visited my blog site (www.christiancadence.blogspot.com), you well know that Sir Alfred Thompson, III, is second only to my wife, Pat, in being my favorite golfing companion. Leashed to the cart, Alf has literally experienced thousands upon thousands of golf holes with us at our country club as well as another golf club.

Bred to be sled dogs, it always appears to us he thinks he's pulling our golf cart. And . . . regardless of the weather, if you let him, he will run beside that cart and would do so, probably, until he died from the effort. His favorite sport while working for us thusly, is to chase full bore the various squirrels and rabbits which dare trespass upon his golfing kingdom, all the while pulling the cart with us putting the pedal to the medal, close behind.

Pat was playing with us as is often the case, one particular evening. There was a brisk wind blowing and I was facing a 120 yard shot over the water hazard to a very difficult green. I parked the cart slightly on the uphill portion of the side hill lie, about ten yards from my ball, upwind from my shot. I selected my club, walked down the hill to my lie, and began to set up to hit the ball.

Suddenly, as I was about to begin my back stroke, it began heavily snowing!!!! I looked toward the green and noticed it was only snowing in about a 10-foot wide swath, about 14 feet in height. In consternation I looked over at Pat and Alfie in the cart to see if they had noticed.

Pat started laughing and apologized. She had taken that moment to brush Alfie and literally, the entire fairway was soon covered with his brushed out hair swirling wildly, bathing me in a snowflake like haze, before alighting all over the fairway, downwind. (Having endured a couple mowings, etc., the hair was still there days later!)

Siberian Huskies do indeed, shed!!!

**********

. . . . As I noticed the two little bubbles of blood on his hind foot, laying there on my bed, I immediately knew what had happened. Having already panicked and called my angel daughter and son-in-law (Our neighbors) over to the house, we all knew what was wrong: Alfie had been bitten by a snake.

The fang marks were about an inch and a half apart. It immediately raised the thought within all of us of how huge the head of whatever snake it had been, had been! I really began to panic even more as Alfie grew more and more disturbed with his whine becoming a constant wailing.

We made the 40 mile trip to the emergency vet hospital and by this time, Alf's entire leg had swollen to about four times its normal. The bleeding had increased dramatically, along with his discomfort. On the way, we had alerted Pat and everyone was praying feverishly for God to spare Alfie from the deadly effects of what we all had feared he had experienced.

Each time one of the young girls there would touch him in an attempt to get his vitals, Alf would wail. He weighed in at the above mentioned 99 pounds, 6 ounces. (Normal weight for Siberian Huskies is 49-69 pounds)

Finally, the vet came and took him back into another room. He suggested we go to the waiting room. Alfie wanted none of this, but we reluctantly conformed to the vet's desires.

A few seconds later, as we were sitting praying in the waiting room, suddenly, a soul-piercing wail erupted and filled the entire hospital, emanating from one of the back rooms.

Siberian Huskies are very sensitive to pain. When they emote about being on the receiving end of such, it's a desperate, wail of a sound they make, nothing like a scream, but more like a torturous howling wail of a dying human baby. It pierces even the hardest of humanity when they hear it.

When Alf let loose with another such wail, I had had it! I lunged from my chair but because of my back condition, only to be the second one to reach the door leading to the back chambers. Kara, my daughter, who had lovingly accompanied me to the hospital, was even more crazed by the wail than me.

She opened that door, burst into the operating room and no one was going to stop her! She was going to be there for Alf. I relented and allowed her to be the one.

What a horrific 90 minutes or so! And, they were doing nothing but dribbling some sort of peroxide on the now very open, pussing, seething wound! Huskies simply can't handle any pain without crying desperately.

Apparently, it had been a very large (Probably 6-8 foot), Cotton Mouth Water Moccasin which had nailed Alf. Here in this part of Louisiana, we have a lot of snakes, but have only two poisonous species to deal with most of the time: The Cotton Mouth and the Ground Rattlers. The bite had probably been too large to have been a Ground Rattler.

Cotton Mouths are vicious snakes. Their cousins, the regular Water Moccasins, will try to avoid you if they can. We have far more of them.

Not Cotton Mouths. They're aggressive, will lie in wait, and will normally catch you from behind as you pass them. Hence, we think, that is why he nailed Alf on the right rear foot, as my buddy was probably just walking past him. And, they have very deadly venom.

I had a miserable week tending to Alf following that Sunday night trip to the emergency room. Pat was still away until the next Sunday evening, and my best buddy ever, simply didn't seem to be getting better. The leg was swelling enormously. The wound was pussing and oozing blood continually. Due to the vet's approval, the wound was not covered and Alf had licked it nonstop. Alf didn't eat all week, and barely hydrated himself.

By Saturday evening, I was a basket case. After consultation with Pat, still hundreds of miles away ministering, I decided once again we needed a vet. Being on the weekend, my only option again was the emergency hospital. We headed out.

The vet couldn't believe the condition of the wound. We almost had lost Alf that week, but we had followed every direction of the vet from the week before. They had vets rotate shifts on weekends there, so we got a different one this time.

He administered shots again, more than doubled the antibiotics dosage (One of the antibiotics cost $105.00 for the bottle!), after once again making us endure Alfie's torturous wailing while he attempted to clean the wound and shave the hair from around it. He then gave us this huge, filter like plastic bowl contraption to fit around Alf's neck, so he could not reach his hind paw to lick. If you're familiar with Siberian Huskies at all, you know how well this went over, especially in the condition Alf was in already!

Mom got in the next day, and whether or not it was her or the new medication, etc., Alf immediately began making a recovery. He adores Pat and is in physical contact with her whenever possible. She's a pack mate of his. I'm the Alpha Male.

He's just now, today, three weeks later, regaining his full appetite, running wonderfully as usual around the yard, and we ended the antibiotics yesterday. The wound is still very red and open, but it appears to be developing new skin over it. We feel he's well on his way to a full recovery! Praise God!

It has been comforting to me to be able to share this. I've always felt close to my dogs, but nothing like this one.

When we moved down south here, though we had allowed dogs indoors up north, due to Pat's allergies and me just not really ever being comfortable with the idea prior, we had determined due to my insistence, we would never have a house dog again. If we got them, they would live outside, permanently.

The day Alfie was born and Pat came home from teaching and saw him, Pat revealed to me I was going to change that way of thinking! Though these were bred to be sled dogs in the roughest of climatic conditions, HER DOG was going to have as much access to our home, as we were! You don't much argue with Pat when she sets her mind to something.

I groused, complained, and dreaded the day he'd be old enough to come and stay with us. Then . . . it happened, just as Michael, my lady friend, that stranger Kara ran into . . . shared with us . . . a transformation began inside me.

Where before I kept telling Pat not to get too comfortable with the dog inside as he was going to eventually live outside always, that quickly changed within me. I soon began fretting over his well being whenever he was outside. That became the norm for me. July 31, of this year, however, I apparently hadn't fretted enough.

And, in so many varied ways, the last several years have been quite tumultuous inwardly for us, especially me. Sir Alfred Thompson, III, has been there every second of every moment, comforting, companioning, and just being there with his awesome self when it appeared obvious -- to anyone who might have taken the time to note it -- no one save a couple members of my own, personal family, even cared a lick!

I think I'd do just about anything for this BFF. He's a huge pain in the butt to care and tend to, so very expensive when things like this happen, but it's all a labor of love and just doesn't ever seem that way!

He's changed us from within out. We'll never be the same!

I salute you, my best buddy ever, Sir Alfred!

THE IGNORANCE OF OMNISCIENCE

2011-07-13T03:00:00.001-05:00

I'm pretty certain most believers, if they could EVER be honest, would admit to having difficulties with the "Omniscient" aspect of our Creator throughout their spiritual journey. (As well as any other Character Aspect we place upon Him.) Cahoona readily confesses to standing at the head of that class.

I'm constantly querying the Triune over the need for just about anything, we as humans, have to endure in the negative realm. WHY? WHAT'S THE NEED?

The pat answers so often snarled out in response when asked of His followers, are some of the most simplistic, nauseating Theological Meandering (TM) one has to encounter, renewing yet another question within our being: "Why do we have to put up with such humanistically asinine nonsense?"

I mean, we didn't ask to be here. Via birth, we were created and placed here by our Lord God. Hence, in the human vernacular, one would place certain responsibilities upon such a Creator.

I well remember the struggle I personally had over bringing my children into this world. This planet was a literal mess then and it has only become more hellish, since.

But, we convinced ourselves everything would somehow work out okay and let our base drives produce two offspring, the likes of which, this world had never before seen or will. I still often wonder about my audacity in making this decision thusly.

With that long in the formation, rash decision, came various responsibilities. These came during lengthy passages of time prior to their birth in which I had agreed to shoulder them upon myself. Understanding I was not omniscient, I still comprehended my role in their protection in seeing to it they were sheltered from as much human suffering, as I could possibly produce. Not being omnipotent, obviously, I couldn't cover all bases.

But . . . I did a darn good job . . . better than any other parent I've ever witnessed. Many, many others have affirmed my work ethic at such, as being just that good and better.

With huge faith in God, yet still retaining none of the three big "O's" in my child rearing repertoire -- Omnipotence, Omniscience, Omnipresence -- I was still able to blaze a pathway through life for each of them to follow, with a minimum of pain, agony, suffering, disappointment, etc., for them to have to endure on the way.

Now, one has seen fit to ignore most of that, striking out on his own deviant path. But, believe me, that was not a result of due diligence by me in his rearing.

So . . . why would my Heavenly Father, Who, In My Obnoxious Opinion (IMOO), epitomizes far more than the three big "O's", and yet in our context of "Perfection", always SEEMS and SEEMED to be playing catch up?

With all my finite inadequacies, at least right now, I'm batting .500. His results, we have been led to believe, come nowhere near that.

Is it okay at this point, to hear the question ringing down through history since the beginning of time, "Why?"?

Cahoona doesn't get it. He probably never will on this rock.

And, it's probably not that big of an issue. With him as his faith is so vast in Whom He has believed, he well believes that one day, this Inexplicable of the Godhead, will be easily, explained and understood.

Yes, then, Cahoona will KNOW! But not until . . . and neither will you!

Now, I DO believe that God has run interference for me in the past as well as He will do in the future. In faith, I govern my life by that reality. I believe the same for you.

BUT . . . there seems without a doubt to be, a "cap" to this protection, from our perspective. And, herein, lies one of the many issues I query so often, to the Infinite.

Due to religious indoctrination by TM adherents, early on in my life -- which has evolved itself into strong, voluntary personal belief within me -- the concept of the Omniscience of God is deeply ingrained. However, defining that portion of God's Character, as being "All Knowing", again, raises ugly heads of inquiry as God has seemed to be blind sided throughout history, from our view of things. (I don't personally believe you can "blind side" God, but due to the constraints of the linguistic protocols to whit we're all imprisoned, it's perceived as that by humanity.)

Now, everything prior in this little discourse, has just been from an effort to briefly intro, off the cuff, what I was thinking about last evening, so I could pontificate to the lengths I deem necessary on a particular topic. As well, to advance a possible notion as to why this all might be. So, get comfortable. We may be here awhile . .

Let's go with the foundation, that in our microscopically sized knowledge base and vocabulary, the most accurate we portray the Godhead to be (As per our prior blog.), is that: "God Is!". Now, we're going to add to that BELIEF based on our FAITH, another Aspect (One of the big "O's") of the Triune: They're Omniscient.

Let's look at the videotape which I could easily further substantiate from scripture, but shan't. I'm simply too lazy to go there right now . . .

We're told we're to believe that some time after God "created" the angelic host, there was a great rebellion, and the mutinous third of so of them, abandoned God and followed the one whom they thought would do better for them. And, apparently, they're still with him/her/it.

It's here if not prior, we already, in our human semantical prisons, have needs now must question the Omniscience of God. I mean, if He knew this was going to happen, why did He go that route?

He's also, Omnipotent. He can do and will do ANYTHING He desires. Why not set about creating a sect of whomever or what, who will NEVER do such a thing? What is the point of having one third of the spiritual beings upon whom we, the most beloved of His Creative Juices need to rely, be disobedient to their Creator? If we're His children, why wouldn't He head this great rebellion off at the point of creation, simply creating them in a manner, such would never occur? Etc., etc., etc?

Let's jump to Eden. Really?: You create humanity KNOWING (Since the Creator is Omniscient) that they would likewise rebel in the perfect creative realm in which you placed them? And, knowing as a result, all subsequent strains of this initial human creation, would unjustly suffer dearly in all aspects of living a life they never asked to be a part of, a creation form whom You're said to have compassion for as nothing else?

You create the Eden experience knowing full well the disobedient act affecting mankind forever, would not long be in the process of occurring? Then, knowing they would disobey, you still create them and Eden, You banish them from the garden forever because they might disobey again and thusly " . . . become like you all . . ."?

Course, You knew, via your Omniscience, all this and more would transpire, yet still went through the motions, anyway? Why?

We didn't desire any of this. We're glad we're here, I guess, as much as we can be via our faith in You and Your deliverance of us. But, I think most of us, given the option, would have opted out of all this, don't You?

So, this wasn't all done for our benefit, huh?

You then choose a cantankerous lot of us to be "Your chosen". Wow!

If You're Omniscient, You well knew what You were taking on, huh? Yet, still, You seemed to get blind sided time and time and time again by them, in spite of this All Knowing aspect of your Deity. Why?

I mean, they seemed to disobey more than obey! And, every time, Your plans had to change. Or . . . was this part of some diabolical puppeteering action of Yours?

Me thinks not!

For instance, You told them to go the Judge governmental route and they (Of course, as You well must have known, over all Your dire warnings.) chose the royal King route. Look at all the misery which resulted!

When the 12 tribes were scattered, You mandated NO intermarriage with their captors, but guess what! The chaotic melting pot of an immoral Chosen people resulted, just as You foreknew.

Etc., etc., etc.

What seems to be the constant in all these situations, was You appearing to be caught unaware, and having to "repent" as the Word describes it, changing Your intended destiny for Your chosen.

Adam and Eve elected to eat of the tree of knowledge and evil having been persuaded by the serpent that they would become more like you (Their motive for so doing.). Again, the whole game plan was changed again, huh?

Where, just prior, they were part of this perfect creation, immediately, they were stark, nasty, butt ugly NAKED, not only to each other, but to You! So, You began the whole sacrificial system to cover their misdeeds, by killing one of the other perfectly created animals in the garden, thereby covering their newly discovered (Which You did or didn't foreknow?), nakedness.

This system of salvation, though powerful, seems constantly to have been in flux. There were various forms instituted at Your discretion to compensate for things which had gone awry, which the prior system, apparently, was not capable of countermanding.

At one point, a great serpent was raised in the middle of the camp, and believers and nonbelievers alike, simply had to raise their eyes to view it, and they were restored.

At another, all believer and disbeliever had to do, was put the blood on the doorpost, and the death angel would pass over. That didn't turn out to be good enough, either, as Pharoah quickly changed his mind.

The videotape further substantiates the fairly long term system of the annual trek into the inner sanctum for the sins of the nation. Just prior to that process being initiated, Your human creation was convicted and hell bent. Immediately after which, they had been absolved of all sin.

Though You instigated new versions and upgrades of a mighty nature, none seemed to fill the bill in the manner You strategically oped in your Omniscience.

Then, came Calvary! Wow! That was what we needed all along, huh? And, it's once for all time! Glory!

But . . . I have needs (I love to think I do.) to tell You, all that begs this question: "Why not Calvary . . . sooner?"

I began thinking about all that again last evening. Aren't you glad?

I mean, I know what we mean when we define "Omniscient". And, I believe God to be that. But, once again, I think being imprisoned in our semantical finiteness, demands the total inadequacy at attempting to confine You to such.

Your "Omniscience" or whatever it is to You, simply, probably, ISN'T perfect, complete, and thorough knowledge of the past, present, and future. as we deem it to be. Apparently, there are those aspects of all your Characterizations which aren't fulfilled in the human context, which so supersede our comprehension, they diametrically oppose the human meaning of such.

So . . . if that's the case . . . what if God intended to create a perfect angel realm, a perfect Eden as well as humanity, and intended that to be such, forever? What if He didn't know what would transpire and is as much as being Perfectly Omniscient in Godsight, as knowing?

What if God NEVER thought Adam and Eve would desecrate His Intentions for them or Eden? It surprised Him.

The same question could be raised for all of the surprise events to whit He seemed to react belatedly.

What IF, beginning with the killing of the Edenic animal and on down through sacrificial history, God was all about attempting to find the perfect sacrificial system to restore His creation, BACK to His Original Intentions?

And, He kept "failing" to find the Perfect Answer, in the process of never failing?

What if, in fulfilling His Omniscience, the "cap" precluded Him from fulling understanding the human condition? He simply didn't "know" the depths of suffering or immoral reactions to such, due to His supernatural form of Omniscience?

I mean, if He had Calvary in His Reserve all along, wouldn't a Loving Heavenly Father have brandished this from the first hint of angelic or human rebellion, as any of us would do for our offspring?

It was always our responsibility to give to our children our very best all the time! But, it wasn't His to do that for us?

(I must now disclose to you this isn't my issue, either. I'm not there yet. Be patient. It won't be long! None of this is written to affirm disbelief in the Triune. Rather, it's a radically elementary effort by the intelligently deficient Cahoona, to further explain the Inexplicability of the Godhead, via this confusing system of mirrors, through which I'm cursed to view my trek on this rock. Comprende?)

If (For some humanly comprehensible reasoning which we will only eventually understand when we get with Him personally.) God can so defy every character aspect of Him we desire to cast upon Him, in an attempt to further deify our Creator, then, maybe . . . just, maybe . . . in spite of His Omniscience, God never chose to fully comprehend the human condition which He created. Maybe, He never understood the consequences of what He had done to and for us. And, He never fully comprehended His creation's suffering. Maybe.

Until . . . and because of what we could speculate would be total Godhead Frustration . . . He allowed Jesus Christ to become a man.

Why else would He have waited to deliver this Perfect Combo of Grace and Mercy? And, once for all time? Why?

Finally, via the process of allowing a portion of the Godhead to become man and thereby experiencing humanity first hand, this all became knowledge to our Creator?

As we comprehend moral temptation, we understand there has to be a desire to choose the immoral, or, THERE IS NO TEMPTATION!

For example, just try tempting God! He ain't temptable! Why? He has NO desire to be, what we refer to, as immoral by making decisions resulting in such.

And yet, Christ (Who some claim was God.) was not only tempted, but, ". . . tempted in ALL aspects as we are."! YOU CAN'T TEMPT GOD! HE'S NOT TEMPTABLE! But, it's here and then, He finally comprehended man's context of temptaton?

Via this living process of the Man, Christ, God began to comprehend the total depravity of man, His very creation! And, throughout Christ's trek, whether in Godsight it was 33 years or just three, God was on a learning curve. He finally began to comprehend the full complexity and all man's inability to ever even remotely be as Christ, but as dung in comparison.

Once again, maybe He had to act and change His original intentions.

And then, perhaps, He "repented" as He has done before when ambushed in the Knowledge Realm of His Omniscient State. Maybe this time, He decided enough had been enough. The Calvary Process would NEVER be changed or adjusted in ANY manner for all time, as, this time, it WAS for all time!

Maybe . . .

And maybe that's why Calvary erupted on the scene so very late in our take of God's Timeliness, but just in time, in His? The learning curve had reached its apex.

I dunno . . . but like I said, I was jist thinkin' the other night . . .

Sure glad my faith doesn't have to be bothered with accurately defining, via TM or other means, the One to Whom I entrust my existence. Otherwise, this might actually make sense.

(Response welcome via E-Mail, Cahoona@Juno.com, or by clicking "Comments" below.)

GOD, STILL, SIMPLY: IS

2011-06-27T00:05:00.001-05:00

I'll admit right up front, just as Paul alluded to in I Corinthians 13 . . . there's a lot I see and almost all that I see, I don't understand and never will, until I get with Him, and understand as well as He has all along. That will truly be something! But, until then, we have this inferior system of mirrors.

I make no proclamation that mine is any more focused in on total truth, than anyone else's. Fact is, the longer I live, the more I doubt EVERYTHING I see.

This morning on one of the Drudge Report links, there was this English chief of staff for some high up politician in London, that was found dead in a port-a-potty at some great outdoor place. They speculate it was suicide and in the background of the picture, were these thousands of pop up tents on one side of the road, and a plethora of expensive RVs on the other side.

I don't know if it was a concert site or what, but for whatever reason, there were thousands of the Queen's servants flung together, separated only by a muddy road, spending the weekend, I presume, in those swamp like conditions. Thousands!

I don't understand what possesses people! Why do they do that? What item of any interest would ever prod them to subject themselves to those conditions for however long?

Suicide, I can comprehend. That, I can't.

It's not like it never rains in Britain! So, they all knew that and still were having "fun" doing whatever they were doing, save for the unfortunate lad who apparently took his own life.

You could surmise from the picture due to the hundreds of tiny tents next to the several hundred thousand dollar RVs, poor and rich alike, were jammed together under those raunchy, climatic circumstances. For pleasure?

Like I said, I don't understand much of anything. It seems like I'm viewing everything through a glass darkly, as Brother Paul shared.

Now, transition from that silliness to the biggie: I SURE don't understand God! And, I never make a pretext of so doing. If you read Paul contextually correct in this passage, he was including God as well. (Although, I KNOW nothing, as well, so maybe he wasn't!)

Off the top, I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY GHOST. I'm bedrock in that KNOWLEDGE within myself, that my FAITH is fully subjected to that reality within me.

So, please don't question that. I'm not trying to bait the enemy (Devil), if there is such a being, but I really don't think anything could ever change that FAITH which within me, resides.

Short version: I start at Calvary, with my faith belief. There is secular historical evidence to the event taking place. Furthermore, His resurrection was legally witnessed by several hundred. These truths are not just attested to in The Word, but in "secular" writings as well.

Also, all of His disciples were brutally killed, save one. At the time of their deaths, all any of them had to do, was simply recant their faith in Christ. None did.

Almost all of their violent deaths and executions took place hundreds of miles from their cohorts and fellow believers, who knew them well. In today's world, it would be if these events took place on another planet, as hundreds of miles then, translated itself into multiple weeks and days of travel. Communication of any kind was also thusly hampered.

Therefore, if they simply had recanted and saved their own lives, NONE of their peers would probably EVER have found out. They knew this, yet still refused to back down! It cost them their lives.

If the Jesus thing had been a scam, this aspect of it would never have held up. One of the eleven would have recanted, and more likely than not, all of them would have saved their own lives by so doing. None did!

Therefore, In My Obnoxious Opinion (IMOO), if the Jesus scenario is accurate, then undoubtedly, what He is quoted to have said about His Father and the Holy Spirit, are likewise valid.

It's in those simple truths Cahoona's faith is embedded. Nothing coming against them can change that reality, hence, my statement of my faith being bedrock!

Do I KNOW these things to be true? Of course not! I wasn't eye witness. I could never KNOW!

But, based on FACTS, my FAITH holds to these historical tenets, and shall not be shaken!

Though I detest anyone who extracts scripture without just due to contextual truths of such, there is one I'll do here in the interest of brevity of time, to defend why my statements are more than enough for my soul's embrace: "According to your FAITH, be it unto you."

And, "(More) blessed are they who have not seen, yet still, BELIEVE!"

"Faith" and "Belief" are NOT "Knowledge". I could write volumes substantiating such, but I'll leave it at that, for now.

Who is God? What is God? Cahoona knows not, but He believes via his faith, that: GOD IS!

Obviously, there are other aspects to add to that brief notation which govern my life, but they aren't factually defensible, so to go further than that, would be to project the indefensible at the least, and blasphemy at the worst. For, who really KNOWS?

I don't. And, I hate to be the one to tell you, but, "You don't, either!"

You, with me, BELIEVE and have FAITH. Thusly, you and I, are in! All you have to do is BELIEVE and have the FAITH of at least a grain of mustard seed in that FAITH. Going further, is what mucks up the spiritual world in which it seems we are cursed to move within, who claims so much to be what God is and isn't, and yet at its best, is simply humanistic theological meandering (TM).

Now, because of our FAITH and BELIEF in Him, TM can have great effect, if propagated to stimulate such in some manner. Regardless of its truth or lack thereof, literally, lives can be changed for eternity as FAITH and BELIEF take root in the receivers of such, via the subsequent ministry of the Godhead.

I, therefore, don't deny the efficacy of the potential outreach of TM, regardless of how inefficient it so often results in being, in all denominations. And, I even have gone so far as to involve the efforts of my life in those evangelically inefficient processes, occasionally. I would do so again for lack of other, more efficient evangelical models in which to commit one's self.

The Word, I hold very high in my life. It was written primarily, by admirable men.

Unfortunately, those involved in its canonization over the centuries, as well as its interpretation in later centuries, were often not so much so, and some, down right evil. Others manipulated it with their TM agendas. There were some very dedicated, deeply and sincerely motivated people involved in this as well.

The Bible has a high level of emphasis in my life. I try to align my existence with the precepts I feel it teaches, keeping well in mind, the context of the words written, by whom they were written, as well as whatever canonization aspects of those precepts of whit I have knowledge.

As well, understanding over and above all, it was MEN who wrote and published the works we now have. Though inspired by our God (IMOO), they may or may not be His intended truths or the complete volume of such, aligned with His original intent, due to the above described humanistic failures. It is almost impossible to transfer their original literal meaning from when they were written, to today.

Regardless, Cahoona finds it a very compelling, convicting, solid work upon which to base my life. That is my choice. Other believers may not make the same decision.

That's my intro to my topic. Therefore, I request you do not question the voracity of my personal faith simply because of how you might react to my ideas. If you have other reason to do so, have at it.

My "beef" again yet today, is that "God Is" . . . everything God chooses to be. Nothing you add to those two words will adequately define His Deity. Fact is, be cautious in so doing, for blasphemy could easily result, even though without probable intent on your part.

We are imprisoned in our reasoning and physical components in which we have been placed. We cannot comprehend higher than our "pay grade" and shouldn't attempt to do so without qualifications placed upon our perceptions.

First off, we ARE human. Therefore, we're FINITE! In contrast, God Is!

We can only surmise within our semantical bounds. In contrast, God Is! (He may choose to expose Himself within such, but that will only be ascertained by our FAITH via our perceptions, and never dwell in KNOWLEDGE.)

We ALL have agendas. In contrast, God Is!

We are apparently doomed to circulate, due to humanistic creative protocols, within these structures bounded by our human capacities. Our perceptions, speculations, all entailed in modern day TM, are NOT Truth in totality! In contrast, God is!

I could go on forever. Simply put, we are sin ravaged humanity, all of us -- perhaps saved by Grace, or perhaps not -- and when we attempt to define God more specifically than, "God Is!", we then tread in TM or blasphemy, whichever the Truth will ultimately define our activities to be.

Therefore, I state once again with certainty, that in the KNOWLEDGE realm, God Is NOT love!

Think of how you love your children or spouses, your kin folk, maybe your neighbor (Be careful, there.), and how you treat them as a result. Compare that to how you have witnessed your perceptions of, God in action, to be.

In short, you have observed God allowing pestilences, disease, famines, mass killings, ethnic cleansings, torture, holocausts, pain, starvation, wars, abortions, and every other murderous evil which plagues this rock.

In our perceptions, there are prayers that are answered. They are almost obliterated, by the tens of thousands which aren't for every one that is.

How many prayers were raised by Jews in the holocaust that were "ignored"? How many in the recent tsunamis and violent tornadoes, floods, etc., were likewise "ignored"?

Life, itself, is NOT a happy excursion but for only the very lucky, not the so called blessed. Life is tough, rough, dangerous, no fun, few victories compared to the unlimited losses we incur in every aspect of our lives and society.

Had we the God power, we would do or allow this to happen to NONE of those we listed above, out of "love". It simply wouldn't fit the definition as we subscribe it to be.

"Commitment", perhaps, would come closer to defining God in our perspective. That's a deeper, more consuming passion.

I "loved" my wife when we were betrothed. She was hot! She thought I was hot! She had a great heart! She tolerated and even got off on my uniqueness! We made vast amounts of time for each other and so enjoyed each other's presence. She supported me in every realm. She affirmed my being. We were "equally yoked" and therefore, love was created. We were miserable without being in the presence of each other.

We decided to be married and have maintained that reality for over 34 years, now.

That WAS love!

I got news for you! Read everyone of those attributes, and though they still exist to some degree and some even more, today, it ain't what it used to be!!!! It's a lot more complicated and human "love" simply doesn't define the current quo.

In some respects, I long for the innocent "love" we cherished back then, but then quickly, and in all others, I'm so glad it doesn't exist anymore. "Love" could only continue with those things increasing both in magnitude and passion. But, they didn't and they don't in every marital union of any type.

What hopefully occurs and I'm so grateful it did in ours, was a deep, abiding, "Commitment", the likes of which humanity could NEVER embrace while "love" was still abounding and defining relationships everywhere. "Love" is why divorces occur.

Where "love" will continue to die its agonizingly slow death, in our semantical kingdoms, "commitment" is a "forever" extended toward those whom are dearest to us. When that occurs, sometimes, life's lessons don't exude "love", but rather tend to strengthen eternal "commitment", regardless of their impact.

I'm "committed" to my lovely spouse, Pat. It's a "forever", not "love".

In a sense, that might bring us closer to what God, in effect, is, but it still dwells in TM. God is "commited" to us more than He is in "love" with us.

God, simply, Is.

The silly explanations so many believers try to cast upon God's apparent ignorance of our needs, the protections of our lives, the very essence of why we believe in Him, ring so very hollow. And, great, dignified men within the TM straits, so often trumpet these shallow, humanistic expressions, that if one often has to partake at their troughs, spiritual nausea could result within the soul of those who more clearly understand humanity's role in respect to God fulfilling His role, of God being "God Is".

And, they go on and on and on and on and on. We all recognize the shallow depths in which such approaches try to immerse us, and yet, we allow ourselves to be taken there.

Are we really that desperate? Do we have to define the very Essence of God and capture that in our perspectives? When, in so doing, we know we have limited His Deity and therefore have needs must, deny and challenge those others who do not circulate within our TM prison cell? Their cell espouses TM in differing terms and therefore must be silenced?
Isn't this silly?

And, this is one tiny, minute aspect of God.

Why can't we just let God be God? Why isn't, "God Is", sufficient?

Whatever we add to that or detract, will not in any way shape or form, change the outcome.

God Is! God Will Be! Forever!

In the meantime, believers are going to suffer, have great pain, families will dysfunction, travesties and tragedies will abound. Most believers' prayers will NOT be answered in their perspective. Great world wide pestilences will occur affecting the just as well as the unjust. And, they will all physically die, and most of those deaths will incur painful suffering. Etc., etc., etc.

Let God be God! Trust Him as being what He Is!

Pray without ceasing, your FAITH will be affirmed. BELIEVE in FAITH for all things. Desire and hope things to be better, understanding that no matter what, God Is!

Why do I believe in a God like that?

Because nothing else, in my perspective, makes any sense.

There's no other philosophy of which I'm aware, that for me, in my semantical prison, explains creation and our reason for being, adequately enough for my FAITH to take root, resulting in BELIEF in Whom I have Believed.

Nothing else makes any sense, in the human vernacular, whatsoever!

The God Factor is the ONLY satisfying explanation a human can come to from what they perceive in this universe.

Why? Because God Is! Now, everything is humanly acceptable in the FAITH realm. Nothing else will satisfy that.

We'll never understand. We aren't asked to, so why do we try?

Just believe, realizing anew, "God Is!"

(You are welcome to respond by clicking on "Comments" below, or by E-mail, Cahoona@Juno.com)

NATALIE JANE ULMET

2011-05-28T20:15:00.001-05:00

Born @ 3:45 this afternoon, May 25, 2011, coming in @ a little over 7.5 lb. and 20+".

I'm told Pat is now, "Granny"!

I've always considered babies to be ugly for the first few months . . . she's actually quite a looker, huh?

Glad I'm following through on not EVER being like those stupid, pitiful, wussy grandfathers I've known in the past. All they did was flash their pictures of their grandchildren!!!!! . . .

LAMP LIT?

2011-05-19T20:07:00.001-05:00

Recently, I received this E-mail from a good friend of mine, concerning a timely issue . . .

Hardy,

Have you seen this?

Ed

The May 21 Judgment Day name is the brainchild of an 89-year-old radio evangelist named Harold Camping. Using a mathematical system of his own creation to interpret obscure prophecies in the Bible, Camping originally predicted that Sept. 6, 1994 would be Judgment Day, or the day of the "Rapture" when Christian believers will ascend to heaven, leaving the rest of humanity to its deservedly dreary fate.

But 1994 came and went relatively uneventfully, and Camping has since reworked his equations in such a way that they now point to a May 21, 2011 Rapture. Once the 200 million true Christians (in Camping's estimation) have been whisked away this coming Saturday, he says hell on Earth will ensue and last for 5 months, until Oct. 21, at which point the world will end.

Here's the gist of Camping's calculation: He believes Christ was crucified on April 1, 33 A.D., exactly 722,500 days before May 21, 2011. That number, 722,500, is the square of 5 x 10 x 17. In Camping's numerological system, 5 represents atonement, 10 means completeness, and seventeen means heaven. "Five times 10 times 17 is telling you a story," Camping said on his Oakland-based talk show, Family Radio, last year. "It's the story from the time Christ made payment for your sins until you're completely saved."

He added, "I tell ya, I just about fell off my chair when I realized that."

Over the past few months, Camping's prophecy has gained considerable traction with Christian fundamentalists. Signs, billboards, and volunteer evangelists around the country have helped spread the word.

Christian naysayers point out that, in the gospel of Matthew, Jesus says Judgment Day cannot be foreseen: "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes."

********************

Ed:

I have been aware of this for several months. I first encountered it traveling down an interstate, viewing a large billboard concerning it, sponsored by a reputable evangelical movement in this area of the rock.

First off . . . Harold Camping is NOT a kook, idiot, or anything else the media and other evangelical leaders have portrayed him to be. He's an accomplished businessman, minister, and thinker. When you follow his mathematical calculations aligned with scriptural history, numerology, and current events, there's a good deal of solid logic employed, making his predictions hard to dispute. The evidence seems to be there, at least partially.

Back in the early 90's, I remember going through this with his thoughts which seemed a bit weaker in both logic and application, as my feeble mind can recall. This speculation is a step above the '94 event.

That is not to say that I embrace this. Neither, however, do I reject it.

True believers as well as foundationed intellectuals, realize that this whole universe phenom did not just happen, as well as they understand, it must one day end. Therefore, when credible efforts are made to predict the end, it always causes great pause within us to varying degrees.

As we should do daily if not more so, it's a fine opportunity for each of us to take spiritual stock of where we stand with our Creator God, making sure our lamps are both lit as well as retaining a reserve supply of oil. This is a positive self evaluation which should constantly be employed by both true believers and foundationed intellectuals.

Every time this occurs, it brings back vivid memories of the early 70's event which really for the first time ever, practically applied the apocalyptic teachings the Bible, to relate to my pitiful life. I'm too lazy to check my files, but it was in the early 70's as I recall, and as usual in my laid back way of doing things, I spent the entire day in question playing golf.

I did often look to the heavens as if hoping to see some hint of what might be about to occur in the various cloud formations, throughout that eerie day. Man, there were several things I saw formed in the heavens while traversing the challenging Alvamar Hills Golf Club fairways in Lawrence, Kansas (KU's home course.) . . . the face profile of God, angels descending, people bowing down in great fear, etc. (For several years I held the course record for the front nine there, shooting a 32 on the par 36 layout, from the tips. I doubt seriously, that it still holds. You got that info for free. Now, it's a "record" with me if I don't consume 32 shots in 5 holes!)

My playing partners that day were used to give me a little comfort, being that one of them was a PhD. Christian Education professor in my college (Also, the golf coach and a former mini tour player.), and a couple seminary students from Kansas City. None of them were nearly so interested in the possible events of the day, as me. In spite of all that stress, I thrashed them shooting a smooth 72. I think the Doctor shot 78 and the two seminary students seemed intent on doing a lot of missionary work (As my great old friend, Harold Daniels, used to describe such hackers.) out in the "bush", easily allowing me the "over" winnings as they well surpassed the 100 mark they both bet they wouldn't.

What had preceded this, was virtually a nationwide conversation not as widespread as this current one, instigated by a high profile evangelist (Dr. Charles Millhuff) in our denomination who had traversed the country preaching the potential possibility of Christ's return to rapture the church, on the day in question. He was always a powerful orator of a preacher as well as my favorite evangelist ever. His sermons were circulated by many at the time across this nation, via the advanced technical tool of doing so back then . . . the audio cassette tape.

The next day, the day following the day when the rapture did NOT occur, I spent the morning with this evangelist driving around Kansas City with him, as he explained to me his reaction. I then wrote an article for my college newspaper which was picked up by one of the Kansas City dailies at the time for reprinting, as well as a few other college and seminary publications.

I've never forgotten that experience nor my actions and reactions to it. And, as I said, I always take such prognostications since, quite seriously in analysis.

First off, the Matthew 24 scripture referring to no man knowing or being able to predict the coming of the Son of Man, is referring to the SECOND COMING OF CHRIST, NOT THE RAPTURE! (Quickly, as I know your lack of beliefs in these areas . . . the "rapture" refers to Christians rising to meet Christ in the air. Christ doesn't touch earth. The "Second Coming" refers to a probable subsequent event, when at the end of the tribulation, God returns for His bride, the Church, and sets up rule here for the so called 1000 year millennial reign. And, furthermore, the "Son of Man", or "Messiah", is coming for the remnant of the seed of Abraham, not for us! That event takes place at the Second Coming, NOT the so called rapture.)

Camping appears to be describing a "rapture" event supposedly happening in a few hours from now. BTW, I don't think if God is going to do any of these things, He'll be going by our calendar. So, Saturday begins at sundown tomorrow, Friday, May 20. So, if you awaken in your bed still residing on this rock and nothing seems to have happened with Christians you might know, come Saturday morning, you can probably once again heave a sigh of relief. (Friday is also my 34th anniversary. There's got to be some numerical application to be made there, huh? At that particular moment, sundown, tomorrow, I'm going to be partaking at an outrageously priced restaurant with the luckiest woman in the world for the past 36 years ((That includes my courting of her affections.)). I won a gift certificate there which will cover about 25% of the costs, and that's why I'm rationalizing our eating there at the very time the rapture may occur.)

In a literal reading of the Bible, there is no such thing as a "rapture" taught in scripture. Neither, can you find "seven years of tribulation". You can check any concordance, anywhere, and you'll never find that listed. Scripture has to be massaged and manipulated to reach such conclusions. Several men in ministry have made multiple millions of dollars attempting to describe these events in script and cinema, extracting great quantities of money from unsuspecting believers worldwide, purporting this delusion.

However, as in Matthew 24, the "end of times" is seemingly taught in several sections of the Holy Word. As a result, Harold Camping could be right. He's just got the events wrongly labeled.

I don't think so, but maybe . . .

Ed, it doesn't hurt to ask yourself, and it matters not what you do or don't believe: How is your soul? Are you at peace with your Creator God?

In the original Passover in Egypt, the Word clearly teaches there were several Egyptian nonbelievers that got into the Promised Land simply because they either spent Passover night with their Israeli slaves, or put the blood on the door post of their own homes, believing or at least thinking, or simply covering their butts, that their slaves might have a corner on the story of the death angel passing that night.

As the Word clearly states, it takes but a few seconds, a very few words as long as intent is sincere, to rectify a life time of running from God, to be welcomed into His Bosom. One simply prays of their sorrow for not believing in Him, asked to be forgiven of all their sins, then, if Harold Camping is accurate in his timing, they will rule with all the other believers. I'm not specifically certain of all that's going to occur after the end of time (Lots of debate on this.), but believe me, when it occurs, you don't want to be "taken away" to hell (Whatever it is.) as they that were in the Noah flood, the men working in the field, and those taken away while toiling at the mill, to a hellish eternity.

If Harold Camping is once again wrong, that will deter not the eventual event where God finally says, "That's enough. It's over!" We all need to be ready whenever that occurs or when at any moment, we might find ourselves in a personal face-to-face with our Creator God, as our life on this rock is cut short for whatever reason.

(Response is always welcome via E-mail or by clicking on "Comment" below.)

SOME TASTY, QUIRKY MORSELS OF ETHELYN BRUNER'S LEGACY

2011-05-08T00:26:00.001-05:00

Several decades ago, a fairly backward, South Dakota cowpuncher (The real deal.), Aleck George Ulmet, went on a double date with his friend whose chick that night, was that hot Idaho Babe that adorned Northwest Nazarene College's sidewalk often, with staring eyes following her every move, Ethelyn Bruner.

Not the sharpest tack at the time, but a fairly quick draw, nonetheless, Aleck knew what side of his bread was going to be toasted and buttered, quickly possessing then marrying the beautiful Miss Bruner.

One thing led to another, but at their most awesome point of mutual creation, following a sad miscarriage (Did you know it's a scientific fact that the offspring born after a miscarriage are always the brightest in the family tree? I share that with great humbleness and to further remind my siblings which always have such great love and patience for me.), Hardy (Named and baptized after and by Dr. Hardy C. Powers.) Gene (Named and baptized after Dr. Gene E. Phillips.) Ulmet sprang from Ethelyn's attractive womb at a mere 11 pounds 8 ounces!

I don't know if they fed me vegetable baby food, or not, but somehow, I grew up not liking any of them. To this very moment, I STILL have not even TASTED, things like spinach, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, squash, zucchini, greens, okra, cucumbers, canned peas, and numerous others whose names I can't even think of at the moment. I simply have never allowed them access to the interior regions of my mouth.

As young man, I did learn to like FROZEN (Not canned.) peas, as Mom, Ethelyn (Bruner) Ulmet, would make this dish where she piled these awesome slow cooked potatoes into this massive bowl of wonderful butter sauce, into which she would add a couple packages of frozen green peas. This was often our main entree at dinner and I learned to tolerate frozen peas when enmeshed in those wonderful flavors she created in that big bowl. I can't say I ever liked frozen peas, but they certainly became acceptable to the finicky young Cahoona in that tasty, rich cuisine environ.

Therefore, I think frozen peas were the first vegetable I allowed to become a part of my astonishing physique, as long as you negate the vegetable aspect of potatoes which has always maintained my rather ample profile since birth, in just about any form. (Can you say, "Hagerstown Smorgasbord!"?)

Some time later, via the cuisine propaganda of her weekly, awesome, Sunday noon pot roast family dinners in which raw carrots had cooked for multiple hours soaking in all the wondrously tasty juices from the dead cow, that vegetable became tolerable to the still growing up Cahoona. Fact is, after that awesome cooking process and when totally drowned in Ethelyn's (The #2 gravy maker in my life. My wife, Pat, is simply the world's best gravy chef, ever, of all time!) luscious beef gravy created from the same oily meat juices which the veggies in their saturated state had been totally unable to completely absorb, carrots presented a fine, hidden texture to each bite of the mass quantities of the potato/gravy duo Cahoona couldn't wait each Sunday for the end of the benedictory prayer at Morning Worship, in order to consume.

So . . . it was mostly just the occasional frozen peas and textured gravy/potato combos which constituted my intake of vegetables up through my early high school years. These helped define for the decades to follow, fulfilling the rather rotund birthing beginning, the foundational physique parameters of what was to loving become the Great Cahoona of this rock.

But then . . . Mom discovered what I thought was the finest available cheese this rock could create (Cahoona didn't learn that it wasn't a cheese until well into his third decade of existence. I'm not sure He believes it even yet, however.) . . . VELVEETA!!!!!! That had to be a God moment!

Wow! Is there really much of ANYTHING that VELVEETA won't make even more enticing????

Somewhere, Ethelyn got this crazy idea to heat up green beans, drain them, then serve them totally enmeshed in melted Velveeta! It's been a hit in Cahoona's world ever since about the 43rd time Ethelyn made it and finally forced Dad one night to make him try it. I didn't give them the satisfaction, then, of letting them know that green beans had immediately become acceptable in my life.

Since then, there was never a time, once Cahoona and his parents were separated, that when visiting them, cheese beans were not a regular part of just about every meal Ethelyn created for his dining pleasure. To this day, when partaking of Cahoona's cheffing, people are amazed at the taste of this very simple dish creation emanating from many years past in Cahoona's life, created by the one and only, Ethelyn Ulmet.

Cahoona was born and raised all but three short years of his life in Iowa, the #1 and #2 corn producer in the world at the time throughout all his youth. Cahoona even detassled this crop a few summers in his teens to earn extra money. Whenever I think about eating corn, I think about my experiences with seed corn . . .

(Actually, we'd have a six week contract for one or two fields, to which several of us together the first year we did this, would arrive at, about 5:00 AM in the morning, turn off the engine of the car, then immediately fall asleep until about 10:00 or 10:30 AM. This was a regular morning ritual during the beginning of each contract period. We would then jump ourselves awake, rush outside the car and furiously begin detassling the corn after about 20 minutes of which, we realized, it was simply too hot to continue. And besides, it was time for lunch.

We'd then head home for the day vowing to not let it happen again, only to repeat the process every day thereafter until about a week before the contract was to expire and we'd lose the job.

Corn, in Iowa, at the time, always seemed to be about 8 foot tall. We had to bend each stalk over, pull out the dang tassle growing out of the top, and depending upon when you were doing this -- either early in the morning or like we always did after the morning nap -- later in midmorning when the stalk had completely dried out from the morning dew -- either have to endure a face full of dew slung in your face as the corn stalk returned to its original height upon your release, or, get facial cuts as well as numerous cuts on the hands and soft areas of your arms as it was released.

As the last week of our contract approached in that initial year, we were panicking. So much so, we'd go an additional half hour or so after we awoke from the morning nap before heading for home. We didn't know what was going to happen. We had worked so hard and long and yet we knew what the contract said: Job not completely finished by this date and there would be no pay!

The first day of the last week, for the first time ever, our supervisor showed up and though we impressed upon him how hard we had worked and yet had so much left yet to do, he knew we were not going to make it. He left in a huff only to return about an hour later, with two of the wackiest looking farm machines you'd ever seen.

He told each of us jump into the stirrups, hold on, and for about three hours a day the last week of the contract, we were carried over and above the top of the stalks effortlessly as we annihilated those tassles as never before. We easily finished on time and all of us were paid fully.

We talked about it and most felt like the job was simply too tough to do again. However, Cahoona, strongly felt that if they'd do that for us this year, they would surely do it again! He convinced his fellow laborers, and for the next four years, each summer, we took out yet again, another detassling contract with Pioneer Seed Corn Company.

Every morning of every year, we'd arrive at the fields about 5:00 AM. Apparently, they would drive by close enough to see our car parked by the field, and so they never bothered us, until the last week of the contract, when, upon seeing how much was yet to be done, they would call in the mechanized reinforcements and in less than a week, we'd get the 6-week contract completed along with our full paychecks.)

I apologize, this is about Ethelyn, not Cahoona's wicked ways . . .

It wasn't until I was 19 years old, even having grown up in the Corn State of Iowa, that I first tasted corn of ANY type. Up until that time, it had only been the green bean/Velveeta dish as well as beef juice saturated carrots that composed Cahoona's vegetable indulgence.

I'm digressing again, but it's my blog, so, so be it . . .

I had easily won the Kansas/Missouri qualifying for the U.S. Amateur tournament in Hawaii. They transported me and the 2nd/3rd place qualifiers over to the island of Kawaii to participate in the national tournament. We were there 10 days.

We arrived on a Friday morning, and after a couple days of practice rounds, Saturday afternoon, I made contact with the closest and only Nazarene church on the island. The pastor insisted upon driving the 20+ miles over red dirt roads, to pick me up and bring me back to his little fellowship for Sunday worship. It was a real cultural eye-opener for Cahoona.

This church was broke, their facilities were terrible, and the parsonage family lived in deplorable conditions. I felt so guilty the entire day.

Worst of all, they insisted I eat lunch with them prior to going back to my 5 star hotel, and I reluctantly accepted their invite. The only thing I recognized on my plate, was a husk encased ear of corn. I had NEVER prior even tasted this delicacy even though raised in the very realms where this crop abounded.

Carefully, I exposed the steaming yellow crinkled shank, daubed a bunch of what they declared was butter on it even though I had never seen butter in such a discordant state, and cautiously began to take a bite. I was hoping desperately, no one was noticing my shaking hands and what might be the immediate food ejection which was probably to erupt from me, as my virgin inner nature rejected what it had always been able to avoid.

The taste sensations which melted my taste bud defenses upon contact, were smooth and amazing! I ate three ears of corn for that meal insisting to my hosts, after consuming what I was so accustomed to having grown up with in the great state of Iowa, I simply had no room for whatever else it was they had prepared that day.

Corn, immediately, became a regular vegetable event in my diet, second only to cheese beans, at the young age of 19!

Since then, there are certain black-eyed peas I enjoy when made properly with Cajun flair.

Other than that, my vegetable regiment has not deviated one iota since.

Ethelyn's Velveeta discovery prompted this vastly varied vegetable trek, Cahoona has been executing for near six decades now.

**********

Well before Velveeta, Ms. Ulmet began using an expensive-in-comparison to its rivals, sandwich garnish which has played a major role in Cahoona's cuisine history. This luxury food expense alternative was a rare occurrence in our home.

Normally, due to Dad's insistence on giving everything he had back to the church, we lived on a very structured, disciplined budget in all family areas, especially in the eating realm. I mean, we had laymen which regularly supplied us with butchered cows and hogs at no costs, but other than that, if we had to pay for it, it was always the lowest priced versions of whatever food form we desired, with which we'd have to be content.

Kraft MIRACLE WHIP was the one and only, in my memory, exception to that. It was and still is more expensive than its rivals, but oh, what a delicacy!!!!

Ethelyn created the roots of this edible marvel in Cahoona's youth by only purchasing it instead of the bland mayo options, and it is still a mandated aspect of his sandwich lusts yet today! ANYTHING in the sandwich realm is ALWAYS better with Miracle Whip, and I lustily thank Ms. Ulmet for awakening this innate yearning within the Great Cahoona which would probably never been fulfilled or discovered, had not she been so lovingly sensitive to her family's inner needs.

**********

Coming from this cuisine context, erupted a very simple sandwich addition, again created by Ethelyn, and yet so rarely utilized by other worthy mums. She and we called it: THE TRIPLE DECKER!

Really, all it was, was a bologna/Velveeta/lettuce sandwich, to which she would apply gobs and gobs of that lily, angel white Miracle Whip on each slice of not one, not two, but THREE slices of toasted bread!!!! Your taste buds would go crazy at the thought of her creation and one had to continually resist the addictive aspects of the constant inner yearnings for such, in order to continue on in a normal life.

Now, in later years -- after watching and working in America's largest meat packing plant and witnessing the nauseating manufacturing process of bologna -- still, due to the vast Miracle Whip and Velveeta aspects to this sandwich creation, accompanied by the perfect texturized crunch of leafy lettuce, (Even though I no longer add the third slice of bread. It's still called a "Three Decker in the Cahoona household, however.) this masterpiece continues to be a routine taste sensation in Cahoona's regular diet.

**********

While living in Oskaloosa, Iowa, my Dad built what was then, a marvelous edifice of a parsonage for that local congregation. We lived in that for several years and I attended Webster School during my elementary years.

Webster was about six blocks from the parsonage. I did a few passes at the school lunch program there, but for financial reasons, Mom always wanted me to come home for lunch and then return to Webster to finish the school day. At the time, we got about 80 minutes for the lunch break so I was easily able to do this.

Often, the above mentioned three decker creation was my lunch entree which Mom would always have the bread still hot from the toaster, to serve me along with chips, upon my arrival home for lunch. These personal lunches would regularly take place out on the parsonage balcony which overlooked the church's fellowship hall below, when the weather allowed.

It was during these times in my very early years, that I was able to have personal conversations with Mom. Mom was not the type to desire such on a regular basis, but almost without fail, each day I would come home for lunch, she would spend a few minutes in personal verbal give and take with me though I probably didn't really desire such then. In retrospect, those have become fond memories for me.

One day, I came home for lunch and on my plate along with chips, was a sandwich I didn't recognize. Now, we WOULD do jelly on toast for breakfast and very occasionally, put peanut butter on toast, but NEVER had I ever seen such a toasted creation as what was presented to my taste buds that afternoon. It became a routine lunch entree for me after that first experiment.

Mom would take toast (For this sandwich only, always made under the broiler,) swab it in gobs of honey, then coat massively the adjoining slice of toast with peanut butter. Again, the toast would always be warm when presented to me. It's a tasteful memory I'll never forget as the melting peanut butter would ooze out the sides encouraged by the thick, dripping honey. It was always a four-napkin sandwich, followed by a thorough face and hand washing.

I've tried often to duplicate it since I left the home, but I've never successfully done so for whatever reason I can't imagine. I gave up on the efforts about three decades ago.

Only Ethelyn could do it right!

Another meal creation of Ethelyn's which I have only had about a handful of times since leaving her brood, was what we referred to as: Goulash.

I don't know what comes to mind when you hear that term in the cuisine context, but to us, it was ground beef mixed in with macaroni, a watery tomato sauce, and cooked for hours at a low temp. It was simply awesome!

A few weeks back, I attended a pot luck at my wife's church. A fine young woman had prepared what she called: Cajun Spaghetti. It's the closest taste yet I've encountered to Ethelyn's efforts in this regard, in all these years since, using virtually the same ingredients other than the cayenne.

Hence, I consumed great quantities but had to enlightened the young lady of its true name. She disagreed vehemently, but she simply is ignorant of the Ethelyn Bruner effect on that dish. She'll come around as I continue to prod her to make that dish each pot luck and to let me know when she does. Cahoona will loyally attend church there each time that occurs. Of that, I'm quite certain.

Throughout his life, Cahoona has been blessed to sample cinnamon roll creations of every type, size, and quantity available. Though this is a food product not nearly so prevalent today as when Cahoona was greatly maturing his expanding physique, there have been some magnificent cinnamon yeast roll creations which he has experienced.

Still, none have quite the taste or length of "shelf life", as Ethelyn's.

It was a two day process for her. It had something to do with adequate rising time as she would always holler at me when catching me eating the cinnamon/butter infused, uncooked dough as it was going about this process under the wet towels she would drape over each pan.

Ethelyn didn't make them often. But, they were awesome!

I remember because of the vast quantities she made, gnawing on them up to six days after coming out of the oven. They still retained their culinary qualities and in some aspects, were even tastier than right out of the oven.

This was long before microwaves. After the first day of their intrinsic birth, usually it was Dad who would take Mom's cinnamon perfections, lavish great quantities of butter on their bottoms, then literally fry them into a hardened, caramelized bottomed, gooey pastry with a warm, soft and billowy top, melted frosting dripping everywhere.

I've never been able to duplicate this cuisine masterpiece and never tasted anyone else's attempt at so doing, which came close to Ethelyn's efforts.

Closely related to this and yet unlike ANY other who dares try to duplicate her pastry products, were Ethelyn's yeast rolls we called: Butterhorns!

Mom's were unlike any other would be clone. They were large, billowy, soft, and though created and formed in butter, more receptive to additional butter after having been cooked, than any other imitator I've endured. At holiday time, there was simply nothing more enticing, than Ethelyn Ulmet's butterhorns!

**********

One other I wish to share with you . . .

I don't know what you'd call them. I still try to make them as they're so simple, but they just don't taste like Mom's.

I'll never forget the first time I laid eyes on them . . .

Hundreds of times a day -- I knew no other way to live my life -- I would go to the refrigerator to open it and gaze at whatever was within its environs that day. There's little doubt Cahoona partook a good portion of those moments of whatever he found inviting to his nutritional needs, but most times, I'd just simply open the doors and stare.

This day, there was a dinner plate with square objects on it, encased in Saran Wrap. Drooling, I grabbed the plate and placed it on the kitchen counter for a closer look. It was so simple of a product, I almost to my future great despair, didn't try one.

There, within the transparent wrapping and quite chilled, were several sandwich squares of graham crackers with what looked like Miracle Whip between the layers. Miracle Whip made everything better, but, graham crackers? I cautiously picked one up and took a whiff.

Whatever it was, it was sweet. So, my instinctive reflexes took over and before I could think, I chomped. Wow!

Ethelyn had taken two squares of graham crackers and had placed a thick, deep layer of sugary, velvety sweet vanilla frosting in between multiples of them. Then, she chilled them. So simple, yet, so magnificently wonderful!

I ate the whole plate and though was punished later as it had been prepared for Bible School that night, my actions prompted the elegant Ethelyn Ulmet to repeat that preparation several more times in my youth.

She didn't do it very often. Again, I think, it was an expense issue. Dad only lavished what little money he made on the church, never on our eating. But, each time she bothered, Cahoona produced great smiles within her bosom behind her frowning, apparent condemnation to his consumption reactions.

**********

Ethelyn Udell (Bruner) Ulmet was the quintessential home chef of all times. Her cooking skills far exceed the very limited descriptions I've herein entailed. I could write volumes of publications concerning those many and varied culinary achievements to whit I was always a tasting witness.

But, this year, as I contemplated her marvelous life as Mother's Day approached yet again, and its effect upon me, it was these, a bit quirky, tasty aspects to her cheffing skills, often almost as an afterthought, that have dominated my memories.

Mom: Velveeta, Miracle Whip, Honey, and just about everything else you have utilized in your culinary past, have had you as their most efficacious representative.

Cahoona's vast bod still remains in bloated tribute to that reality.

Get the toaster warmed up. Cahoona will not be long in coming home for another personal chat and lunch with you.

Forget for a moment, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It's lunch with you, alone, on Heaven's balcony, for which I can't wait!

(Response is always welcome via E-Mail or by clicking on "Comments" below.)

NOT JUST A NAZARENE AFFAIR

2011-03-24T22:16:00.000-05:00

Thought you might like to eavesdrop on conversations going on within the Nazarene denomination on the leftist coast. They occur everywhere within the CotN, but usually, not nearly so public. This is from another of my lists.

PLNU, stands for Point Loma Nazarene University. It's one of our flagship universities in this country and by far, the most beautiful.

I've referred to the letter sent to pastors by the General Board of the CotN a few years back responding to the issue of Homosexuality in a surprisingly open minded manner, on my blog in the past. In addition, I've shared concerning a few of the several I know, which are very accepting of the gay life style within our movement, in spite of their public persona which would appear to deny such.

Most recently, I've shared of one of our great theologian's efforts at attempting to somewhat turn the tide against our, at the time, clear and rigid resistance to modifying our stance against. As you recall, he was silenced and all his manuscripts concerning such were attempted to be collected and placed in a "locked vault".

This issue will NOT go away and though the letter from the General Board to all pastors, seemed to sort of attempt to ride the fence on the subject, I think the further we progress and perhaps at an increased rate, a definitive statement on one side of the issue or the other, is going to have to be placed in granite.

I know the powers that be who are resisting this, but this topic is of such a potentially fracturing temperament, legalistic rigidity on one side or the other is going to probably be mandated.

While in one of our universities, the great Cahoona was wildly accused by the college president of being in the gay aggregate. Though in hindsight, it quickly became preposterous and of great humor even considering the thought of the hetero seeking Cahoona being labeled such, at the time, it was a serious charge which I had to go to great lengths to discredit. (Or so, it seemed at the time. It had all to do with how a certain individual of great repute was considered by many of my denominational ilk, and my inclusion of him in my circle of peers. As well, one of my best friends thinking it great humor to etch my name and phone number on the stalls of an area of Kansas City frequented mainly by those of the gay persuasion. I could never figure out why people so adamant against this life style, were visiting such places.)

I have steadfastly refused to condemn this life style any more so than the sinful lifestyles of the normal believer of a different hue. All is sin and daily fall short of the Glory of God, requiring Calvary's Blood in no more or less proportion, than the other. All of this is why our Lord is right now interceding on OUR behalf with groanings which cannot be uttered. You can't differentiate by simply using the particular sin as your constant.

Anyway . . . I think you'll find this interesting and current . . .

From: Steve Scott
Sent: Wed, March 23, 2011 5:48:51 PM
Subject: Critical Update from PLNU

Hi Friends,

Recent events generated by a public revelation of a student on the
PLNU Campus have resulted in some very serious conversations
which are resulting in all kinds of messages about the university.

I am attaching an e mail I received from PLNU President Dr. Brower,
which is in two sections. One, brief note with a link to a recent article
in the student newspaper, and two, a letter from Dr. Brower to the
Board of Trustees regarding the commitment of the university to
remain faithful conviction of the Church of the Nazarene.

While we live in a day where people thrive on controversy, I hope you
will join me as people of prayer who will lift of the PLNU Community
and Dr. Brower as they seek to engage God's Spirit in the midst of a
very critical conversation.

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Steve Scott, District Superintendent
Sacramento District Church of the Nazarene
6235 S. Walnut Street, Loomis, CA 95650 / (916) 652-1193
Sscott@sacnaz.org / www.sacnaz.org

The peace of Christ rules, where the word of Christ dwells. (Colossians 3)

Item ONE

-------- Original Message --------

Subject: A Note From the President Regarding Point Weekly
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2011 10:06:03 -0700
From: Bob Brower

Dear Friends,

You may access the Point Weekly (student newspaper) http://www.thepointweekly.com/ (to read an article released this week on homosexuality). The President's Cabinet has been meeting about all of this today in our meeting and will plan to direct some community conversations on this topic so that we can direct and focus upon this
from our position within the Church.

Thanks for your prayers in this and other concerns.

Bob (Dr. Brower)

HERE'S A SUMMARY OF THE LINK: A student leader spoke yesterday to a crowd of more than 200 students and community members about his sexuality, which has ignited a controversial discussion about the lack of dialogue concerning sexual orientation on the campus in recent months.

Some have said that the administration at the school stifles dialogue about gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual issues. School leaders say they are not opposed to such conversation because of the subject matter, but are concerned that such discussion or forums would be perceived as advocacy.

The Church of the Nazarene does not condone homosexuality.
_____________

It was December 16, 2010, and he’d arrived at the train station a little bit early. He bought his ticket and walked about, looking for a nearby bench at which he could sit and write until his boarding time.

He sat down and opened the black leather journal that he carried with him, and wrote this at the top of the page: “I’m gay.”

There. There it was. On paper, in ink, for the first time in his life were the words that had echoed in his mind all day, and most nights, since the age of 11. He continued on in his entry.

“I turned 21 two days ago. I was supposed to get married in two days, but a month ago I called off my wedding because I decided finally to be honest with myself. I hope that for the first time in my life, journaling might be fruitful since my main concern is not to avoid mention of my sexuality for fear that someone would stumble upon my confession and unravel my reality.

For 10 years I have feared. Today it is nice to be at peace with myself. To look in the mirror and think, ‘You are the beloved, on whom my favor rests. This is good.’”
__________

Todd Clayton, the ASB director of spiritual life and a PLNU senior, ended his yearlong engagement in November after coming out as a gay man. Clayton continues to serve in his student-elected position. This is his second year serving as director of spiritual life.

Clayton will begin his attendance at Princeton Theological Seminary in July. He is a biblical studies major and hopes to one day work in the church, though the specific denomination he will work in is yet to be determined. He was raised in the Nazarene church. Both of his parents are pastors. His mother, Nancy Clayton, serves on PLNU’s board of trustees.
______________

He sat down on the couch in his parents’ hotel room. They had traveled to San Diego for Homecoming weekend, and this was one of the few times that Todd had spent with his father alone. He had told his father that morning that they needed to talk. He had hinted to the insomnia he had been experiencing for the previous several months. He had told him about how he couldn’t hold down food. He had mentioned that he was battling depression. He had hinted that these were far more than pre-wedding jitters.

“Son, what keeps you up at night?” his father asked him in a chair across the room.

He hesitated, debating whether or not to come up with a not-so-believable excuse for the millionth time in his life. But he answered with three simple words.

“Dad, I’m gay.”

His body crumpled onto the couch and he began to sob. His father walked over to the couch on which his son lay, held him and said,

“I love you. I love you. I love you. You’re my son and I love you.”
______________

The Church of the Nazarene holds the position that homosexuality is one means “by which human sexuality is perverted.” The Pastoral Perspectives on homosexuality issued by the church maintains “all forms of sexual intimacy that occur outside the covenant of heterosexual marriage as sinful distortions of the holiness and beauty God intended for it.”

In the same letter from the board of general superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene, it is stated that homosexuality is “real, it tends to begin early, and it is rarely a choice.”

It has been four months since Clayton came out. In that time, conversations have ensued between him and school administrators concerning his role as spiritual director.

President Bob Brower said that school officials never discussed firing Clayton from his position, but instead determined to seek out relationship with him as a student of the university.

“I think the discussion was around, ‘How do we walk closely with a student in this particular moment in time in his life?’” Brower said. “I would expect that there would be a difference in any student along that way. This particular student certainly has a more visible role and responsibilities.”

In December, following his announcement to Mary Paul, vice president for spiritual development, and Mark Carter, university chaplain, parameters were set for the remainder of his term of office.

Paul (who only agreed to speak to The Point Weekly after permission was granted from Clayton) said for Clayton to best finish the year in his role, it would be important for him to have time to reflect on the direction of his life, refrain from pursuing a romantic same-sex relationship and to acknowledge that the chapel venue would not be the place for personal processing of this journey. At the time, Clayton was agreeable to these parameters.

Over the course of the spring semester, however, Clayton has expressed dissatisfaction with the university’s request that he refrain from any type of expression of his sexuality.

“I said, ‘What do you mean by celibate?’” he said. “I said, ‘If I hold a man’s hand, is that celibate?’ And they said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘If I develop a crush, is that celibate?’ And they said, ‘No.’ And so that’s when the real frustration about double standards set in and just the frustration that I never signed anything when I came into office or when I came into school that said I wouldn’t be gay.”

Paul said that the conversations between her and Clayton have become increasingly difficult as they both arrive at different interpretations of the biblical text, but that a commitment to stay in honest communication and relationship remains a top priority for her.

“I told him that whatever his ultimate conclusions were, that the commitment from me was that as he lived his life we were in relationship, and that if he came to an understanding of the biblical text that is different, we stay in relationship,” she said. “And so we do that, but as he has become stronger in his opinion, that’s certainly at times been challenging.”
______________

Controversy surrounding sexuality issues on Christian college campuses are not isolated to PLNU.

In February, the Los Angeles Times reported on a letter that ran in Westmont College’s student newspaper, in which 31 gay and lesbian alumni of the school addressed the “doubt, loneliness and fear” that they felt while in attendance at the school.

More than half of Westmont’s 92 faculty members responded to the letter, seeking forgiveness from the alumni for pain that they may have caused them.

Westmont requires students to sign a code saying that they will abstain from “homosexual practice.” PLNU’s covenant does not specifically address homosexuality, but instead prohibits sexually immoral acts outside of heterosexual marriage.

At Seattle Pacific University, a student-led LGBT group called Haven was told by school administrators in January that it was no longer allowed to use university classrooms to host its meetings. The group has been trying to receive club status from the university since 2006.

The story of the meeting in January prompted an outcry from students, faculty and the online community in the Seattle area, mainly in the form of blogs.

“It was also reported on Change.org, where it got nearly 3,000 signatures asking the administration to change their mind,” said Caleb Richmond, a student leader of Haven, via email. “Groups of alumni quickly organized and nearly 1,000 alumni wrote the school, several of them refusing to support the university in the future if they did not change their mind and grant Haven club status.”

Haven is now a recognized group at the university, with rights to campus classrooms and advertising. It has not received club status at this point and is supervised by a newly created Human Sexuality Advisory Group comprising staff and faculty.
______________

Todd Clayton, ASB director of spiritual life, came out as a gay man in late November 2010. He has ignited dialogue among the campus community on sexuality and the church. (Photo by John Castillo)

Clayton is in the process of writing a charter for a gay-straight alliance to be held at PLNU. He says that the impetus for this decision came after 15 students came out to him this semester.

He says that there is a need for a safe space and dialogue for those on campus to safely name and discuss their sexuality without fear of repercussion or scorn.

“I think it’s really important that this club be institutionalized,” Clayton said. “It needs to not be underground and secretive and embarrassing.”

Whether or not the group will receive club status from the school is a topic of concern for Clayton.

This year’s chair of the board of trustees, Rev. Steve Scott, who is also the Sacramento District Superintendent, said that he “couldn’t be in favor” of an alliance because of its inconsistency with the teachings of the church.

“We haven’t said we’re here to validate everyone’s perspectives on life,” he said. “We’re here to validate Christ’s perspectives on life.”

Brower said that he would not comment on the group because of his lack of knowledge about it.

But Brower did say that one issue the school faces in condoning university-sanctioned dialogue about the topic to occur is the difficulty in distinguishing between “discussions about” and “endorsement and promotion of” an issue.

Paul expressed concern about the confusion that students might feel in deciphering whether Clayton is representing the school or his personal convictions when speaking on the issues.

“What’s difficult for students to see, and what puts me in a difficult place, is when he’s speaking as an individual student and when is he speaking out of his position and role,” she said. “I don’t think students make that distinction.”

The last event held by the university concerning issues of sexuality took place in the 2007-2008 school year. “Sex in the Greek” was held in the school’s Greek amphitheatre and featured various speakers.

Former ASB director of spiritual life Anthony Livolsi was a strong proponent of the Sex in the Greek discussions. He said that in addition to ASB, a board was appointed to oversee the planning of the forums, and that members of the group were from the office of spiritual development. Paul served on this board as well. Forums were held throughout that school year, but haven’t been repeated since.

School officials say that this is partly because there are other issues to consider when thinking about the school’s resources.

“You have to ask yourself, ‘How significant of an issue is it?’” said Scott. “You have to put your resources where your greatest need is.”

Clayton sought advice on the alliance from SPU’s Richmond, who told him to write his charter using language that was not combative toward the stance of the Nazarene church. Clayton is currently refining the charter so as not to espouse a particular viewpoint toward or against homosexuality.

“At that point I had to decide, is my goal to make a ruckus and to say what I want it to say and then blow it up and take it to the press when it doesn’t get passed?” he said. “Or do I really want to create a safe space for students?”
______________

In fall of 2007, university professor Phil Bowles and his wife, PLNU faculty Sharon Bowles, approached university officials seeking permission to host All God’s Children, an LGBT discussion group on campus. They were not granted permission to continue at the school, so they sought a venue elsewhere.

P. Bowles was called into a meeting with the provost and dean at the time, John Hawthorne and David Strawn. He said that he was served papers that stated he could not use university resources, use communication channels, refer to the group at university forums, or invite members of the PLNU campus to the group without already being in conversation with them about the topic.

Brower said that it seems contrary to the position of the school to provide the means for the group to meet because of its perceived advocacy of the practice of homosexuality.

“As the university, who is owned by the board on behalf of the church in the southwest United States, it is inconsistent to provide the resources for, and appearance of sponsorship of, that activity which is considered to be in contrast to the position that the church holds, and therefore that the university holds by not just association, but by relationship,” he said.

S. Bowles negotiated an agreement with San Diego First Church of the Nazarene to meet on Sunday afternoons on the church’s campus. They have been meeting there since. Speakers at the group have included authors, professors, students and pastors.

San Diego First Church pastor, Dr. Dee Kelley, says that he hopes that he sees dialogue around the topic continue in smaller, more intimate settings.

“There are topics that I find in scripture that seem to me to be far more productive to discuss in settings that are not from the pulpit,” Kelley said.

Clayton spoke at All God’s Children yesterday. It was the biggest attendance the group has seen since its inception in 2007.
______________

She sat in the PBC, smiling and patient as she watched me finish my meal. We talked about her childhood, and how’s she’s known that she’s been gay since a young age, She’s had multiple girlfriends throughout high school and college.

She has chosen to remain anonymous in this article for fear of repercussion from her coach. She is an athlete at PLNU. She says that she knows personally of several students at the school who are gay, but that they are too embarrassed to admit it in public.

“I had heard that it is possible to have a relationship with God if you’re gay, but that if you act on it, you should feel ashamed,” she said.

Clayton argues that his relationship with God has never been better since his affirmed his sexuality with himself and the Lord.

“It was in naming myself,” he said. “That God affirmed who I am and affirmed his work.”

Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A few comments for “Called to speak: Student leader thrusts campus into dialogue on sexuality, administrators respond”

I’m hoping for open and honest discussion of human sexuality issues on PLNU’s campus from a Christian perspective.

Posted by Doug Fruehling
March 21, 2011, 10:53 am

As a former Director of Spiritual Life, I’m both proud of Todd in his courage and proud of the administration for sticking by him. The issue isn’t going away, and I’m glad Point Loma is engaging it in what appears and healthy and honest way.

Posted by Blake Nelson
March 21, 2011, 12:32 pm

I appreciate PLNU’s willingness to discuss such a controversial biblical topic, especially in the culture we live in today. I think it would be naive to think that homosexuality does not exist and take the stance that if Christians ignore it homosexuality will go away. This is not the case with worry, it is not the case with doubt, it is not the case with anger and is not the case with lust. Homosexuality is very real, but as addressed in the bible, it is also a sin. PLNU should openly discuss the issue and lovingly come alongside students that might be struggling with homosexuality. People who come out as gay should not be cast aside yet the sinful condition and thoughts should not be condoned. It is a careful balancing act but one that we as the church are called to perform in Christ.

Posted by MC
March 21, 2011, 6:32 pm

Clayton argues that his relationship with God has never been better since he affirmed his sexuality with himself and the Lord.

“It was in naming myself,” he said. “That God affirmed who I am and affirmed his work.”’

THERE IS NOTHING IN THE WORLD like KNOWING & SPEAKING THE TRUTH OF WHO YOU ARE to create CONNECTION WITH THE DIVINE. Blessings to you, dear Todd! -an SPU Mom

Posted by Cheryl Martin
March 21, 2011, 8:50 pm

I would have to disagree with Blake as to PLNU engaging this issue or forum in a healthy and honest way. The forum was by far one sided and there was no opportunity to refute any of what Todd was bringing to those in attendance.

For myself, there is much study that has been done to show that a person is definitely “not” born being gay. It isn’t even a sexual issue at first, but a gender identification issue that then leads a person to have a relationship with the same sex that is against all that God intended. Why would God make someone that way when he clearly says in both the old and new testament that those that practice such things (homosexuality)will have no part in the kingdom of heaven.

We are not judging those who say they are homosexual, but rather they are judged already. I am not writing this to condemn the person who finds himself in this struggle, but to say I care and there is a way out. There is hope.

That homosexuality is o.k. in God’s eyes is a lie from the enemy of our souls. And the church is embracing this when they should be lovingly helping one find true freedom. For those who are interested, there is help from those who know and have even come out of this lifestyle. See http://www.exodusinternational.org

I can’t tell you enough how my heart is breaking. I also have a family member who is living this lifestyle, so I have not been untouched by this. I love her dearly. She knows I do, but she also knows that I cannot affirm the path she has chosen.

Just remember that if I was just pointing a finger, I wouldn’t even bother writing this. But I write because I do care, and I believe that along with my tears over this, the Lord Jesus is also crying.

With love and grave concern.
Posted by Amy Caffarella
March 21, 2011, 9:09 pm

I am a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene for over 25 years. I also spent many years controlled and driven by pornography both before and after I came to faith in Jesus Christ. Discussion is necessary but we cannot find any text in the Bible where discussion is understood as acceptance of the act whether it is adultery, pride, lying, etc. Yes Jesus loved the young greedy ruler, the woman caught in adultery, the woman with multiple male relationships, and the religious establishment but He always called them to leave their lifestyle and choose to follow Him. For some reason we have erased the simple words of Jesus, ‘pick up your cross daily and follow Me.’ Is it easy? No! Can we do it without people to encourage and help us? No! But if God promises us a new life, a new beginning, and that our old self is gone, then we either believe Him and that He can and wants to help us experience life-transformation or determine He is a liar, a fool, or both. Yes we are to love all people but Biblical love is to seek God’s best for the person we love, not do whatever they want us to do so that what they think is best is accomplished in their life. I know what it is to feel my lifestyle is acceptable and feel angry with those who did not agree. God is able to do greater things that we can imagine.

Posted by Paul Straub
March 21, 2011, 9:17 pm

I’m extremely proud of Todd. Unfortunately he and many other gay students at PLNU are going to be met with a lot of willful ignorance and prejudice disguised as “love” (as evidenced in Amy’s post). I am concerned that she would lead a vulnerable soul to the website of Exodus International, as ex-gay programs such as these have been condemned by the American Psychological Association as well as several other medical groups for being psychologically damaging to same-sex attracted individuals. Thankfully, there is hope and a way out of oppression and self-hatred. Just because God CAN turn you straight doesn’t mean he WANTS to. He loves you just as you are.

http://www.beyondexgay.com/

Posted by Zeus
March 21, 2011, 11:15 pm

Well, when I came out, point loma was no where near as nice as they are to Todd. When I first got to loma it was an out and out hostile place for gays and we lost one of our own because of the lack of support. It’s nice to see the school has gotten marginally better. And maybe if we’re lucky it’ll keep getting better. But I doubt it. The fact of the matter that every pastor knows all too well is people vote with their feet. You won’t find too many churches who can keep their doors open while being openly racist any more. Churches that are openly sexist still exist but find their niche growing smaller and smaller. The emergent movement is growing faster by the day and generation Y has pretty much decided that it’s ok to be gay… When I left the church and voted with my own two feet I remember feeling the satisfaction at the thought that the nazarene church will probably not have the luxury of feeling remorseful in historical hindsight that they took such a horrible stance against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people. The nazarenes already face a huge threat from non-denominational churches along with the coming threat of the emergent movement. There will be a day of real accounting for the nazarene church and her condemnation of the “sexually perverse”. and yes. I do believe people will vote with their feet. The enlightenment of a generation as to the reality of our sexual diversity will be the death’s nail on the western nazarene church’s door.

So Point Loma can change or stay the way they are. It makes little difference to me. If they change then great. If not, “vengeance is mine” and, if you believe in such things, god will kill the church and let another grow in it’s place.

Posted by Scott Yelvington
March 21, 2011, 11:49 pm

As a current student, I affirm that Todd Clayton is a man who eloquently and faithfully shares the stories of Christianity with the students of Point Loma. Thank you Todd for sharing your story of reconciliation to a loving God with us as the broader PLNU community. I appreciate your vulnerability in doing this, you are supported and loved deeply. We all have much to learn from the words that you have spoken on this day and many others.

Also, thanks to the Point for covering this situation with concern for the dignity of all parties involved. Thanks to Pastor Dee Kelley and First Church of The Nazarene, San Diego for the open doors to discuss a relevant topic in a safe place. Lastly, the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi wrings true in this situation with immediate implications:

Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that we may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

-Peace be with you my friends
Posted by Kyle Suess
March 22, 2011, 1:36 am

I voted with my feet several years ago, walking away from the Nazarene church, and never looked back. Any gay man with any self respect would do likewise.

Posted by Paul Johnson
March 22, 2011, 4:19 am

As a professor at another Christian college (Messiah), I hope for good things at PLNU and will watch how this plays out. Many Christian colleges are facing this challenge (could have _chosen_ to face it long ago, now are being pushed to do so by brave students). Divergent points of view will surely persist, but may civility and respect guide their expression.

I encourage my students to see sexual identity categories as entirely modern constructions (not biblical). We can do better than judge existing cultural categories – we can make new culture (new understandings of humanity, desire, and sexual holiness) that flow more from our religious tradition than from modern western history. Even then, however, it seems to me that Christian sexual ethics are pretty stringent (everyone fails to meet the law, no? and everyone is fully loved, too.)

The End of Sexual Identity: Why Sex is too Important to Define Who We Are explains this more fully.

Posted by Jenell
March 22, 2011, 8:07 am

When my daughter came out to us in 1988, I was felt deeply disturbed. I inherently realized that sexual orientation was not a choice.

However, I was faced with the question: If God created most people as being straight and a few people gay, what did he expect the majority to do? Could there be understanding and acceptance to allow straights and gays learn to live together? Back then, in 1990, the answer that came to me was “Why not?”

The answer gave comfort to me. Much HAS changed since 1990. I feel that God is at work!

Posted by Harold Kameya
March 22, 2011, 8:48 am

“So Point Loma can change or stay the way they are. It makes little difference to me. If they change then great. If not, “vengeance is mine” and, if you believe in such things, god will kill the church and let another grow in it’s place.” Scott Yelvington

Boy, what a loaded two sentences Mr. Yelvington has there. If they were physical objects I’d say they’d be pretty hot to the touch (ouch! I burned my finger). I suppose it doesn’t surprise me that anger – anger against a church or anger against the Church in general – is not uncommon by homosexuals. It is one fallacy and hypocritical lie that some homosexuals show because they claim to be all about “peace and love for all” yet, as Mr. Yelvington clearly wrote in his own words, he has a great amount of hate towards the church (or in this case the Nazarene Church or PLNU since it is Nazarene affiliated).

And how interesting that Mr. Yelvington chooses to quote the “vengeance is mine” scripture (leaving out the source, by the way) as if to say that God is going to somehow and for some reason punish those who oppose the homosexual lifestyle. So now this is anger not only against the church but anger against those who simply do not believe or do not agree with the homosexual lifestyle. See how this anger grows and grows?

Furthermore, Mr. Yelvington, earlier on, alludes to the fact that churches who oppose homosexuality are “sexist.” He says: “Churches that are openly sexist still exist but find their niche growing smaller and smaller. “ I believe what Mr. Yelvington meant, though the anger that has riddled his heart all these years has clouded his judgment and essay writing-skills, is that conservative pro-heterosexual churches are somehow losing members who are flocking in great numbers to churches that are pro-homosexual; however, Mr. Yelvington is yet to state his source for this claim that churches that are “sexist” are getting smaller and smaller.

Oh and in regards to “MC”’s comment that homosexuality is a “controversial biblical topic,” s/he is correct. However, the Bible (with a capital “B” I must remind you) is quite clear about how homosexuality is a sin and is not to be practiced. But oh I know my homosexual-loving friends will say that the Bible is about love and what not. Yes, the Bible is about love but it is also very clearly states that male-male relationships (which includes female-female relationships) is quite wrong. “ “‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.” (Leviticus 18:22, NIV).

Anger in general is not good, anger against a specific church gets one nowhere, and claiming that the Bible defends homosexuality is a lie.

Posted by Alan Middleton
March 22, 2011, 9:00 am

I find it absolutely hilarious that all of the “anti-gay” biblical passages everyone quotes are from Leviticus. Come on, dudes. IT’S LEVITICUS! The same one that says I can’t touch anything if I’m on my period (Lev.15:19- 24) , and I can possess slaves as long as they are from “neighboring nations” which I guess ok’s Canadians (Lev. 25:44), and can’t each shellfish (Lev. 11:10).

Oh my goodness, what if I was gay AND ate shellfish? Would the “abominations” cancel each other out? I feel an experiment coming on.

I also really enjoy a good polyester/cotton blend, which sends me straight to hell in Lev.24:10-16.

Amy, although I didn’t get the chance to attend, you say that the forum was one-sided. I believe that whole-heartedly. But keep in mind that Todd and other gay individuals have been fed the other side for decades. They have been told that homosexuality is wrong and condemned. If there is any debate over which side of the argument needs to be more unbiased, it is most certainly the overwhelming opinion that homosexuality is condemned in the church.

Alan, I think anger is a necessary and productive aspect of all struggles for civil rights. I cannot speak to Scott’s anger one way or another, but the struggle for women’s liberation, race equality, and now homosexual rights could not be productive without anger. The church is not perfect, but a dynamic movement of the people of God. When the church falls out of that, it needs to be critiqued in anger. We were angry at the church for the crusades. I would have been angry at the church for all of the torture devices they used in the Spanish Inquisition. I am angry at the church for the systematic murder of women who used to be called “witches”. I am angry at the Church now, for the way that many people have completely avoided the message of an unconditional love and turned it into a firy-brimstone judgment tool for ridiculing and oppressing God’s beloved, homosexual or not.

Todd, I love you. Point Loma Nazarene, I am proud of the steps you have taken so far. Please continue to do so. I beg you to please approve a GLBTQ club on campus. I would support it and join in a heartbeat.

Posted by Caitlyn Burford
March 22, 2011, 10:38 am

Miss Burford,

Because you feel that those of us who oppose homosexuality ONLY gather verses from Leviticus, allow me to add to my verse that I shared above from various other books of the Bible.

Deuteronomy 23:17: “There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.”

Romans 1:26-27: “For this cause God gave them up until vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another ; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.”

I Corinthians 6:9-10: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, no effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, no extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 19:4-5: “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them in the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?”

“ …The struggle for women’s liberation, race equality, and now homosexual rights could not be productive without anger.” Caitlyn Burford

Really, Miss Burford, you cannot be serious. Anger gets man nowhere; nothing good comes from anger. In fact, the Bible in various books besides Leviticus, speaks very negatively about this topic of anger:

“ Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered.” Proverbs 22:24

“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:9

“But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.” Romans 2:8

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” I Corinthians 13:4-6

“In your anger do not sin…” Ephesians 4:26

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20

Miss Burford, anger is not productive but quite contrary. As James says above, we should be everything but angry “…because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

Posted by Alan Middleton
March 22, 2011, 11:39 am

ITEM TWO:
Dear Friends,

In the last few days, and with the March 21st edition of the Point Weekly, we are reminded that we live in a time of increasing complexity, often marked by difficult conversations and decisions, particularly within a university setting.

The questions and issues raised in the Point Weekly regarding homosexuality and the Christian church reflect these complexities. As a Christian university community we strive to be a place where people with deep convictions can model the ability to have difficult, grace-filled, loving conversations while maintaining good relationships and honoring Christ with our lives and actions.

While we seldom do this perfectly, it remains necessary for us to commit to an ongoing journey of conversation, confession, forgiveness, and re-commitment to this endeavor as we live out our Christian journey.

Discussions around sexual identity and homosexuality in the context of the Christian church are often difficult and conducted from strong positions. This note is not an attempt to define what is said in the discussions which will occur in the days ahead, but rather a request for how our conversations about homosexuality and sexual identity proceed. It is the hope of many in the PLNU community that we will strive to be a place where:

· We affirm the importance of treating each other with respect, kindness, and grace regardless of positions held.

. We are encouraged to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” (James 1:19, NIV).

· We are reminded that in our language and our lives “…these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love” (I Cor. 13:13).

· We pledge that when we disagree, we will do so respectfully and not falsely impugn others’ motives, attack others’ character, or question others’ faith.

· We pledge to God and each other that we will lead by example in a time where civil, respectful discourse across society seems to have broken down. We will model a better way of treating each other in our faith communities, even across religious, personal, and political lines.

· We commit to bear witness to Christ’s presence and the Kingdom of God in this world as we seek to be authentic Christ followers who recognize that we must model in our living how to love each other even when convictions differ.

As we engage this difficult conversation, PLNU’s official position remains that of the Church of the Nazarene. The call from the leadership of the Church continues to be that every person should be treated with dignity, grace, and holy love, whatever their sexual orientation. However, the Church continues to firmly hold the position that a homosexual lifestyle is contrary to the Scriptures. The Church of the Nazarene maintains that “all forms of sexual intimacy that occur outside the covenant of heterosexual marriage are sinful distortions of the holiness and beauty God intended for it.”

Over the remainder of the semester opportunities will be provided for community conversations on this and other difficult issues. I know I express the prayers of many that in times of difficult discussions we will be guided and guarded by the presence of God in our conversations and relationships.

President Brower
Bob Brower, Ph.D.
President
Point Loma Nazarene University
3900 Lomaland Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
619-849-2216