Can the birth of a child really make a difference? In a short story called "The Luck of Roaring Camp," Bret Harte wrote of the sort of mining camps he had known in California during the 1850s. Roaring Camp was such a vile place that the gamblers didn't even stop their game when men in the saloon killed each other in gun fights. Roaring Camp was filled with reckless, unbathed miners, some criminals and others gamblers. But they momentarily stopped their fighting, cussing, and gambling to sit outside the cabin of Cherokee Sal, the only woman in camp, as she labored to give birth.
She died giving birth to a baby boy, such a curious creature that a hundred rough men walked by his crib just to take a look. They donated personal effects such as golden spurs and diamond rings so the baby would have a chance, given he didn't have much of one without a mom. Although there was not a woman around - the baby was fed on donkey milk - they unanimously decided to adopt the boy, and sent a sack of gold to Sacramento to buy the best of baby clothes and furnishings.
An irreverent bunch, a mock christening was scheduled to give the baby a name. But a fellow named Stumpy objected to their irreverence and the camp repented. They grew serious, and Stumpy said, "I proclaim you Thomas Luck, according to the laws of the United States and the State of California, so help me God!" It was the first time the name of the Deity had been uttered in Roaring Camp in a non-profane manner.
It was determined that the cabin in which baby Luck stayed had to be cleaned and scrubbed and then repainted. And if that cabin, why not the other fithy cabins in camp? It was a rule that if you held the baby, you had to be clean. And so men began bathing and taking care of their personal cleanliness. Hollering and cussing were banned because such would disturb the baby, but singing lullabies was encouraged. Men also wakened to the fact that there was beauty in flowers and sweet-smelling shrubs, which they constantly brought to the child.
The camp changed and flourished simply because a baby had been born. Imagine that. - DJ
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Smile, You're on Cell Phone Camera!
Pastor's Column. The following is a letter to "Dear Abby" from a year or so ago this month.
Dear Abby, my granddaughter took me to a large shopping center. While she finished her shopping, I waited in the food court, watching the crowd.
All of a sudden, a woman who had just walked by turned back, put her arms around me, gave me a squeeze, and said, "You are blessed! You just saved my day!"
Confused, I asked, "What did I do?"
"You smiled at me," she answered, and then she walked away.
Abby, I'll be 99 in a few months. I have smiled all my life, but never dreamed it could make such a difference in someone's life. I promised then and there to smile a lot more, and I hope those who read this will resolve to do the same. It takes only 13 muscles to smile, and it's worth the effort. (Kathryn of a Million Smiles)
I often think of the above story in regard to Core Commitments, the GRACE of our congregation. G - regardless of how much one is able to give, that amount might be just what is needed to keep Jesus' ministry funded. R - sometimes when we reach out and invite another to church, it is truly life saving for the person. Church is what he/she needs. A - when we attend worship we constantly receive insights like the above regarding good things we've done or could do. C - when choosing a personal ministry of Time & Talent, don't overlook what some people consider the little things - smiles, helping hands, words of encouragement, etc. They're obviously bigger than we may think. E - by engaging in faith-building activities during the week - Bible study, devotional reading, etc. - we stay focused on matters such as how much smiles count. - DJ
Dear Abby, my granddaughter took me to a large shopping center. While she finished her shopping, I waited in the food court, watching the crowd.
All of a sudden, a woman who had just walked by turned back, put her arms around me, gave me a squeeze, and said, "You are blessed! You just saved my day!"
Confused, I asked, "What did I do?"
"You smiled at me," she answered, and then she walked away.
Abby, I'll be 99 in a few months. I have smiled all my life, but never dreamed it could make such a difference in someone's life. I promised then and there to smile a lot more, and I hope those who read this will resolve to do the same. It takes only 13 muscles to smile, and it's worth the effort. (Kathryn of a Million Smiles)
I often think of the above story in regard to Core Commitments, the GRACE of our congregation. G - regardless of how much one is able to give, that amount might be just what is needed to keep Jesus' ministry funded. R - sometimes when we reach out and invite another to church, it is truly life saving for the person. Church is what he/she needs. A - when we attend worship we constantly receive insights like the above regarding good things we've done or could do. C - when choosing a personal ministry of Time & Talent, don't overlook what some people consider the little things - smiles, helping hands, words of encouragement, etc. They're obviously bigger than we may think. E - by engaging in faith-building activities during the week - Bible study, devotional reading, etc. - we stay focused on matters such as how much smiles count. - DJ
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Overcoming Christmas Hassles
Have you ever stopped to think about the difficulties faced by the participants that first Christmas?
The poor magi, they got stopped at security because they had Persian last names. Actually, they had Persian first names also, which made them really late. And then they lost their Ronco Plumb Bob, which would have helped them determine what point on earth was directly beneath the star. What a hassle! They had to locate the Messiah the old fashioned way - eyeball the building beneath the star. It was enough to make a magus give up in despair, but none of them did.
The shepherds felt honored to have been invited by the angel to visit the newborn Messiah, but after arriving they remembered they had forgotten gifts. Don't you hate it when that happens? Being good Presbyterians they normally would have taken a covered dish, Shepherd's Pie, but they were so excited they didn't even think about it. Plus they had to bring their flocks with them to Bethlehem. They couldn't leave them out in the fields else mattress companies would steal them for commercials about "counting sheep." It was a hassle.
Mary was all set to have her baby at Nazareth Presbyterian Hospital. She felt at home there. Joseph hade been the contractor for the new Women's Wing. Then he came home with the news that they had to go to Bethlehem to be registered for Herod's tax purposes. Bummer! There were no direct flights, and room reservations were impossible. When they got word that King Herod, a.k.a. The Terminator, was seeking to kill baby Jesus lest he grow up and be a threat, they took a flight to Egypt to hide out there.
All kidding aside, life was not hassle-free that first Christmas. If yours is not hassle-free either this year, you're in good company. Hang in there. We have cause for hope. - DJ
The poor magi, they got stopped at security because they had Persian last names. Actually, they had Persian first names also, which made them really late. And then they lost their Ronco Plumb Bob, which would have helped them determine what point on earth was directly beneath the star. What a hassle! They had to locate the Messiah the old fashioned way - eyeball the building beneath the star. It was enough to make a magus give up in despair, but none of them did.
The shepherds felt honored to have been invited by the angel to visit the newborn Messiah, but after arriving they remembered they had forgotten gifts. Don't you hate it when that happens? Being good Presbyterians they normally would have taken a covered dish, Shepherd's Pie, but they were so excited they didn't even think about it. Plus they had to bring their flocks with them to Bethlehem. They couldn't leave them out in the fields else mattress companies would steal them for commercials about "counting sheep." It was a hassle.
Mary was all set to have her baby at Nazareth Presbyterian Hospital. She felt at home there. Joseph hade been the contractor for the new Women's Wing. Then he came home with the news that they had to go to Bethlehem to be registered for Herod's tax purposes. Bummer! There were no direct flights, and room reservations were impossible. When they got word that King Herod, a.k.a. The Terminator, was seeking to kill baby Jesus lest he grow up and be a threat, they took a flight to Egypt to hide out there.
All kidding aside, life was not hassle-free that first Christmas. If yours is not hassle-free either this year, you're in good company. Hang in there. We have cause for hope. - DJ
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Christmas Parade
This past Sunday night I came down with my semi-annual sinus infection. Thus, I was not in top form for the Christmas Parade Monday night.
The parade Monday night was the first I've ever been in. You're probably asking yourself how that could possibly be given the glitz, the glamour, the power and prestige of a Presbyterian pastor's life. How could I have gone so many years without being in a parade? I don't know. I just never had the opportunity until Monday night.
Even though I was feeling miserable beforehand, the excitement of it all was contagious. Soon I felt pretty good as we rolled along Bailey Road and turned onto Main Street. I've never seen so many people, especially children! Thousands of people, maybe even millions. I didn't know that many people lived in Missouri.
I'm glad it was a mild night. It was plenty cold enough as it was. I dressed in so many layers of clothing that Cheri said I looked like the Michelin Man. But I only had one pair of gloves, work gloves, in that I had lost my winter pair. Soon my right hand was so frozen that I was afraid if I waved to the crowd with any enthusiasm it would fly right off the float and be picked up by some kid as a souvenir.
Thanks to Jerry Burhans and Mark Trautwein for making the float. The theme of the parade was "The First Christmas," and so Grace's float said on both sides, "Rev. Dewey Johnson's First Christmas at Grace Church." I was in a rocking chair by a non-heat producing fireplace reading a story, "The First Christmas," to several of our children. And thanks to the Irelan family, the Rogoz family, and the Shirley family for the loan of these great kids! Mainly we just waved to the crowd, and as the night wore on, our little arms got tired. Myself, I think I've come down with a case of Floater's Shoulder, which is an affliction usually associated with those participating in the Rose Bowl Parade. But it was worth it. What a great evening! - DJ
The parade Monday night was the first I've ever been in. You're probably asking yourself how that could possibly be given the glitz, the glamour, the power and prestige of a Presbyterian pastor's life. How could I have gone so many years without being in a parade? I don't know. I just never had the opportunity until Monday night.
Even though I was feeling miserable beforehand, the excitement of it all was contagious. Soon I felt pretty good as we rolled along Bailey Road and turned onto Main Street. I've never seen so many people, especially children! Thousands of people, maybe even millions. I didn't know that many people lived in Missouri.
I'm glad it was a mild night. It was plenty cold enough as it was. I dressed in so many layers of clothing that Cheri said I looked like the Michelin Man. But I only had one pair of gloves, work gloves, in that I had lost my winter pair. Soon my right hand was so frozen that I was afraid if I waved to the crowd with any enthusiasm it would fly right off the float and be picked up by some kid as a souvenir.
Thanks to Jerry Burhans and Mark Trautwein for making the float. The theme of the parade was "The First Christmas," and so Grace's float said on both sides, "Rev. Dewey Johnson's First Christmas at Grace Church." I was in a rocking chair by a non-heat producing fireplace reading a story, "The First Christmas," to several of our children. And thanks to the Irelan family, the Rogoz family, and the Shirley family for the loan of these great kids! Mainly we just waved to the crowd, and as the night wore on, our little arms got tired. Myself, I think I've come down with a case of Floater's Shoulder, which is an affliction usually associated with those participating in the Rose Bowl Parade. But it was worth it. What a great evening! - DJ
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