Entry #5—The “Pauls” I Know

Everyone seems to be writing now about Christmas.  I don’t know–it’s STILL too early for me.  WHAT’S THE RUSH?  It’s not December yet.  Thanksgiving is STILL lingering in my heart, and I’m not ready yet to let that go!  Maybe tomorrow–DEC 1, I’ll be more in the Christmas spirit.  We’ll see.  Until then, BAH HUMBUG!  (I played Scrooge once in a Christmas play and was told I did the part well–HAW!)  I’m STILL thinking of things/people I’m THANKFUL for.  I had a thought about some “Paul’s” in my life: 

When I was little and growing up, there was my cousin Paul.  I spent a bit of time doing overniters at his house.  He seemed to know everything and do everything BETTER than I did.  Even though he made fun of me, I still wished to be like him and be able to do half the things he did.  One day I discovered that I COULD do something that he couldn’t–I could swim a little and go under water (a big thing at the time for many kids my age).  He was deathly afraid of the water.  I was so tempted to “lord it over him” and make fun, but I held my peace.  I’m glad I did.  Later in life, I’ve learned there is only ONE we should pattern our life after–after HIM who does ALL THINGS WELL.  I’m glad I’m still learning that lesson.

Then there’s my nephew Paul.  I always want to call him Paulie–my little nephew, but he’s not so little any more, and in many ways he’s beyond his years in maturity.  He’s NEVER said an unkind word to me, always is polite, AND HE DOES THINGS FOR ME.  We went on a bike ride and he was concerned and careful not to go too fast, that I didn’t get too tired, that I stopped for water breaks frequently.  For someone so young to be so concerned about a middle ager such as I was really something to me!  Thanks Paul(ie)–sorry–it slipped out.  You’re the greatest!  AND he’s a really good Bible Quizzer too.  Watch out opponents!  He’s coming to a match near you!  He’ll give you a run for your money!  (And so will the whole Oakley team for that matter!)  Did I mention that he’s on the road to becoming the next BUDDY RICH.  Can he ever drum!!  Come they told me pa-rum-pa-pum-pum!

Then there’s Paul Kolej (Bro. Paul) who’s been an example and inspiration.  I’ve not known him well for a really long time, but in such a short time he’s been a strength and inspiration.  I admire his walk with God, his family, his resolve and strength (and he’s got a very good sense of humor).  There are so few MEN who are the spiritual leaders of their families, BUT HE IS!!!  He’s become an EXCELLENT quiz coach.  You shoulda seen him at the quiz practice I was at.  He was technically savvy, but allowed fun and yet put “the kids” in their place when they needed it.  I WAS IMPRESSED.  I said to myself, “YEP, that Bro. Paul is doin’ GOOOOD!”  (But he’s not as good as Sis. Eva–HAW!)

Finally, there’s THE APOSTLE PAUL, writer of over half the books of the New Testament.  I wrote a poem about him a while back.  Again, as mentioned about my “Ship of Acts 27″ poem, it’s not quite in the tight, perfect rhyme scheme I REALLY like, but hopefully the meaning comes thru–in spite of it’s imperfection.  I plan to write a “perfect poem” soon!

I read of a man in the Bible
His name was first called Saul
He loved the Lord with “most of his heart”
But not the Lord’s followers at all

He thought those “disciples of the Lord”
Were doing things THE WRONG WAY
He heard them teach IN JESUS NAME
(But disliked what they had to say)

So he went to the “disciples’” houses
And thought he would cause a division
He said BAD THINGS against them
And he dragged them off to prison

In Acts, chapter 9, (you can read it!)
To Damascus Saul wanted to go
He wanted to hurt the disciples
The Bible tells us so

He was on the road to catch them
To bring them all off to prison
He even had letters from the high priest
Who had given him permission

 He had just about entered the city
The time was right around noon
When a light from heaven shone about him
And he wondered what he should do

The voice of the Lord cried, “Saul, Saul!”
You’re really doing harm to ME
Do not hurt my disciples
But continue on to the ci–ty!

So some men helped him on to Damascus, you see
He’d been blinded by that HOLY LIGHT
There a man named Ananias touched him
He received the Holy Ghost–and his sight

In Acts 13:9 (you can read it)
This man Saul, is now known as PAUL
And the churches he had once been disturbing
Are all walking in the fear of the Lord

Now Paul became a great PREACHER
And he taught folks in JESUS NAME
He shows us if we love the gospel AND JESUS
We will never have to be ashamed

And the crown Paul wrote of in the Bible
(Which he himself had lived to gain)
Can be ours and is waiting in heaven
If we do all in JESUS NAME!!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek–that includes you Bro. Connell!  HAW!  That Apostle Paul had Greeks on his mind, didn’t he?!! He must’ve been influenced by baklava(sp?) and spanikopita(sp?) or something!

Entry #4—It’s In The BOUNCE!

My brilliant niece Jennifer (she’s only 15) who helped me get started in blogging made a delicious cranberry salad for Thanksgiving.  I am not super big on cranberries (though there are some excellent health benefits to be had by eating them), but Jen’s cranberry salad was DELICIOUS!  The next day my sister Karen found this devotional piece that had something unusual to say about cranberries.   I’d like to offer this thought to you:  With cranberries, it’s the BOUNCE that counts!!

                      
 According to Science Digest, processing cranberries involves pouring freshly picked berries down a series of step-like boards.  At each level only those berries that BOUNCE over an 8- to 10-inch barrier pass the test.  Each berry gets eleven chances.  (Don’t ask me why 11 chances; who came up with that number?)  Those that fail are discarded.  Many fruits are judged by firmness and color, but the cranberry is distinguished by its ability to “BOUNCE like a golf ball.”The strength of our faith can also be judged by our ability to BOUNCE back after defeat.  Although setbacks hurt (OUCH), they allow us to show our underlying confidence in Christ.  A spiritual reversal should not cause us to give up!  It’s the “BOUNCE” of our faith and HIS forgiveness that are important!    

DEFEAT ISN’T BITTER UNLESS WE SWALLOW IT!           

Entry #3—Being Thankful

I wanted to share a thought on thankfulness.  I was a former church songleader and still have an interest in hymns and the story behind the songwriters’ inspiration for their songs.  Considering this Thanksgiving season, I decided to do this entry on an old song that I’m sure many have heard–”Count Your Blessings.”

The song, “Count Your Blessings,” would probably be considered an old song by many; it was written in 1897.  However, Johnson Oatman meant it especially for YOUNG PEOPLE.  He wanted to teach them the lesson:  It’s impossible to be thankful and, at the same time, grumpy, cantankerous, critical, or ill-tempered.  Johnson Oatman actually averaged 200 hymns and gospel songs a year–5,000 during the course of his lifetime.  Some of his more familiar hymns are “Higher Ground,” “No, Not One,” “The Last Mile of the Way.”   

Let Johnson’s optimistic faith be an inspiration to us all, not just to the young, as we count our many blessings this Thanksgiving.  Perhaps if you know the hymn, you’ll be singing it sometime this season.  God Bless us all–everyone!!