When OK Is Not

 

When OK Is Not

This entry from October 29, 2018 is about one of my favorite students and a haircut!
I got a haircut last Wednesday but that isn't really what this is about. I actually liked it when I got all the gel that Kim, the Korean lady who cuts my hair, slathered on. My take is that if I like the result, I can make it a couple of hours before the shower washes it down the drain and Kim is great at what she does! That brings me to Thursday.... and Euphe. I should say here that Euphe is one of my all-time favorite students. I've written a blog about her kindness in bringing me a wonderful gift back from her homeland, China, two years ago. Twice she has been in my classes, as both an 8th grader and last year as junior in my Gospels course. Both times, she excelled. Her English is tremendous and she has the ability to be funny in her second language, a skill many can never master. Last month, I wrote her college letter of recommendation and it was a glowing piece of literature to accurately describe this young lady. But let's get back to Thursday.

It was lunchtime and I eat with the high school kids this year after five years with our elementary children. Euphe's path crossed mine between the salad bar and the soup station. She asked, "Did you get a haircut?" Instead of answering yes or no, I replied with, "Do you like it?" She gave me a quizzical look and said, "It's OK." I acted hurt- you know emotional I am. When the final bell rang several hours later, she came up to greet me like she always does and I reminded her that my feelings were bruised. Euphe told me, "Well, OK means better than average." I explained to her that it didn't. She then countered with saying my haircut was nice. I told her that was even worse! We laughed and parted ways until the next haircut or second language nuance lessons, whichever comes first.

Today at lunch, I told her she would be the subject of my blog tonight and I would make her look good which isn't hard. Euphe liked that and asked when it would be posted so she could read it. Here's what I learned from my recent conversations with this terrific young lady. First, don't ask a question if you don't want to know the answer. Usually, students will tell me great or awesome when I ask that question. OK just left me hanging. It also reinforced the complexity of language and how you might have to come from a culture to get all the idiosyncrasies involved in the native dialect. And as I mentioned before, Euphe has a very good grasp of English and as good a vocabulary as many American kids. You know what's funny? Euphe came up in my classes that same week as she has this time for the past several years. I reference her in the story of the sinful woman who washed Jesus feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. I make the point that hair to a woman is almost sacred, especially in certain cultures, and the girls all shake their heads in agreement. And that's when Euphe's name pops up. You see, she has the longest hair at WCS, almost to her knees, and has for several years. She'll never get it cut before graduation which is in seven months for her. But if she did and happened to ask me what I thought, I've got my answer already ready. "AWESOME!!" And that's not splitting hairs. 

Applicable quote of  the day:
“Every barber thinks everybody needs a haircut.” 
M.F. Moonzajer

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1

The Little Yellow House

 

The Little Yellow House

 

This is from July 29, 2021.

If you're my Facebook friend, you might have noticed that three weeks ago, I took an eight day road trip to Kansas. Normally, I only visit my brothers and their families in Wichita during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays but not being able to go on my usual Vietnam mission left me with time on my hands. Dave had recently missed his high school reunion in our hometown of York, Nebraska and wanted to make the four hour trip to touch base with a few stops along the way. (See my last week's blog about the World's Biggest Ball Of Twine!) One thing we did in York was pose at our elementary school and the four houses in which we grew up. That's the shots above taken decades apart- I'm the smallest human. This was the first house we called home in Nebraska; 1012 Kiplinger Avenue. I was happy to see it has retained its yellow hue.

We moved here from Brooklyn where Dave and I were born and here is where my memories really begin. I was four and everything in the world was exciting. Dad was a preacher, Mom was a stay at home mom at the time, Scott was a few years away, and Cecelya and Sandy had not yet joined our family. This house was owned by Dale and Raylene Larson. He was the President of York College and I grew up with their children, Aloha and Zane. The house was small but it had some great features! The living room wallpaper was the Grand Teton Mountains and the ceiling in the room Dave and I shared had the solar system on the ceiling that glowed when the lights were out. Our neighbors in the next two houses, the Gurganuses and the Thomases, both had York College structures named after them so we were in high society. Dad's office, the church building, was fifteen seconds away by foot and I loved spending time there- I was especially fascinated by the baptistry. This is where we lived when Dad started cutting our hair and taking us to YC basketball games- pretty sure we got in for free! Mom, as the preacher's wife, played hostess for every baby and bridal shower for every young lady in our congregation. It was here where our folks had us skip meals so we could give the money saved to missionaries, something they explained but I did not get at the time. Fast was how you ran, not something you went without to a little boy. I somehow survived measles/mumps/chicken pox on this piece of land. School began for me in this house and I've never left. Even at five, I walked to Willard School, five blocks away. And then after about four years, we moved to another house, the first our parents ever owned, and more memories of growing up and being shaped would follow. That's several more pictures and stories for another day. 

It's never meant that much to me that I was born in Brooklyn, although someday I would like a Brooklyn Dodgers hat. (7 1/4 if you are interested!) Do you know how many times we are told Jesus returned to Bethlehem, His birthplace? None! I do wonder if He ever had the urge to travel the six miles down the road when in Jerusalem for Passover. On the other hand, we are told about Him returning to Nazareth where He had been brought up and how He was referred to as Jesus of Nazareth. His reception in His hometown was anything but warm; they wanted to kill Him after His synagogue proclamation that He was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies. Dave and I had no such hostile reaction- we just slipped in and out. There are two things I did notice from the respective pictures posted above. The first is that in the 2021 photograph, I'm wearing a Nebraska Youth Camp shirt with HOME emblazoned on the front. I didn't think that out beforehand but it was appropriate. (Shoutout to my WCS colleague Jay Roberts for this addition to my wardrobe!) The second thing that hit me is that my picture pose is unchanged from that autumn (I'm wearing flannel) day many moons ago. Hair pushed over my left eye, hands in pocket. The one thing different is I am missing Mom's motherly touch and Dave is missing Dad's. That's OK. They gave us the foundation to be able to stand when they were gone and much of that grounding came in these four yellow walls.

Applicable quote of the day:
When you finally go back to your old home, you find it wasn't the old home you missed but your childhood.
Sam Ewing

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1

The Passing

 

The Passing

I was blessed with great women and men of faith in my life as a child. This entry, from June 7, 2011, is about one of them.
A great man died yesterday. Brother Alex Humphrey passed away in Florida with his loving family family bedside. Alex might not have been an international icon but that does not preclude him from giant status. He was my Bible professor at York College and a more knowledgeable scholar I've  never known. He taught me Hebrews but while expounding on the Word, he taught me and a generation of YC students a whole lot about life. He knew the Scriptures but more important to me as a kid, he lived the teachings of Jesus. He was plain spoken and you knew where he stood but he did it with a deep down gentleness that many preachers and educators lack. A piece of York College died when Alex Humphrey took his last breath on Monday.

But, there was more to the man than just an academician or minister. He and his lovely wife, Ruth, were like an extra set of parents to me. I grew up in a unique church where almost all of the adults were connected to the college. In fact, there was no Church of Christ in York, Nebraska until York College, which had been closed for a number of years, was reopened by a new faculty and administration. Most of  the members in that small Midwestern congregation were southerners educated at colleges like Harding, Abilene Christian, and David Lipscomb and who came to staff the college. The parents looked out for each others' kids and although unrelated by blood, we became extended families. None of the parents were divorced, all the moms cooked, and they all had a universal blessing to correct the others' children should the need arise. I remembering staying with the Humphreys and their son, Phil, in their gracious home when my folks traveled. Ironically, now as a Houstonian, I struggled to decipher their Texas accents! But they looked after me as their own in my mom's and dad's absence. I just don't think you see that commonality of purpose much anymore in churches, especially in larger locales. Alex helped me maintain my bearings when I wandered and my folks did the same for many of my church contemporaries. I know Phil is grieving today with the loss of his beloved father. He'll find out, as my siblings and I did when our folks went to be with the Lord, how much love his father left behind. But then, it's really no surprise. Alex Humphrey was simply part of a mighty large family, a family that has lost one of its remaining patriarchs.

Applicable quote of the day:
"Great men, unknown to their generation, have their fame among the great who have preceded them, and all true worldly fame subsides from their high estimate beyond the stars."
Henry David Thoreau

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1

Charitable Donation

 

Charitable Donation

Larry Roder, who is my brother in Christ, does my taxes each year. The biggest part of my preparation is putting together records for Larry. You want to learn about a wonderful charitable donation? Read on, from March 1, 2007.

I can't stand the Dallas Cowboys. It goes back to college days. One of my friends, Gary Beck, was from Dallas and was firmly convinced the only reason the Cowboys ever lost was due to an NFL conspiracy. It became very easy to root against America's Team. That hard line stance melted today as I was reading the ESPN website. A story came over the wires about former Cowboy teammates, Ron Springs and Everson Walls. The duo played together for four seasons in the early 1980's, establishing a friendship that would spiral outward to include their spouses and kids. After retirement, the two remained close, to the point of being named godfathers to the other's children. More than fifteen years ago, Springs was diagnosed with diabetes and has digressed steadily, in spite of thrice-weekly dialysis. He has lost the functional use of one hand and has endured the amputation of a foot and the removal of toes on the other. In dire need of a kidney transplant, Springs turned to relatives, including his son, who plays for the Washington Redskins, and a niece, but concerns removed those kin from the donor list. Almost offhandedly, Walls offered to be tested.... and came up a match. The long term friendship between the former athletes was cemented yesterday as Everson Walls' kidney was transplanted into Ron Springs' failing body. Assuming no rejection, Springs is expected to regain motion in his hand and walk on his own once more, discarding the wheelchair that has become his transport. They are the first retired American athletes to participate in an organ swap.

Ironically, the player perceived by many to be the worst current teammate also plays for the Cowboys. who, fairly or not, has been labeled a team killer and is suspected of poisoning relationships with former quarterbacks Jeff Garcia and Donovan McNabb. Maybe T.O. could use some mentoring from Walls and Springs in regards to loyalty and camaraderie. I've noticed with my own players that it is easier for them to swallow physical play from an opponent in a game than from a teammate/classmate in a practice session. Maybe we expect it from the opposition but subconsciously believe those wearing the same jerseys as we do should cut us some slack. Jesus dealt with discord in the ranks of his apostles. James and John wanted to elevate their standing over the other ten. Friction probably arose between the tax collector, Matthew, and his eleven co-workers who hated tax collectors. It is possible that Judas was the only one of the Twelve not from Galilee, leaving him on the outside looking in in terms of accent and cultural literacy. Still, the Savior did just fine with the dozen he hand-picked after a prayer session. Minus Judas, they bonded through suffering and setbacks and became the mightiest evangelistic force in history. Everson Walls risked his life/lifestyle giving up his kidney to re-energize the life of his teammate and friend, Ron Springs. Would Bartholomew have sacrificed an organ for Phillip or would James, son of Alphaeus, given his kidney to James, son of Zebedee? In my book, there is not a shred of doubt. That's what a teammate does, even a retired teammate whose vantage point is now on the sidelines.

Applicable quote of the day:
"It's a big deal. You've got to understand now, this man is giving me something to make my life better. I would tell everybody in America, be a donor. The ultimate donor was Jesus Christ- he gave his whole life for us."Ron Springs (on receiving a kidney from Everson Walls)

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1

Fear Itself

 

Fear Itself

 

I still lift weight three-four days per week but no longer on the WCS campus as I did when I wrote this almost 21 years ago. Many of us like being scared of a movie but not so much in real life. Coming into an empty school building very early in the morning can bring on skittish nerves! This is from 11-28-05.

As I do each Monday-Wednesday-Friday from August through May, I arrived at our school building this morning at 4:45 to work out. I used to lift after school but there were too many conflicts with meetings and kids going through their strength routines. One thing about 4:45 a.m.- you don't have to fight traffic to get to the equipment. My workout takes about one hour and fifteen minutes and leaves me physically drained. Most people like having a lifting partner but I prefer going it alone. When I have a partner, I talk and I don't get as much done. Finishing up, I make a quick trip to my apartment to shower and return to school before 7:00 to start another eventful day.

You might think the hardest part of my routine is getting out of bed or finding motivation to go if I don't feel great. Neither of those are accurate. The most difficult thing I deal with is walking into the building. We have a large complex and it can be incredibly dark and spooky at that time. I peek around corners and flip on light switches to assure myself that I am not about to be attacked by some unknown, unseen bad guy. My skittishness this morning was compounded by something I saw on the news while I ate breakfast. Did you know ABC has a news show at 3:30 a.m.? It was about the recording of 'voices of the dead' from 'haunted' houses. Now, my belief of the scriptures leads me to have doubts about that stuff but it was on my mind as I came into the school. My hair stood on end as I walked a deserted hallway and I felt the wall for the next light switch. Of course, there was nothing there- there never is. But an ice machine rumbling in the cafeteria becomes a potential threat to my safety. Last week, someone left a radio on overnight somewhere in the area and I could hear it. THAT was unnerving! I don't really calm down until the next person, Roger Ramirez, arrives at about 5:30. Then, I breathe easier and concentrate on improving my muscle mass rather than dodging the bogey man. You are supposed to do some cardiovascular movements to get you heart rate up- I have automatic rapid pulse without running at all!

There's something about the dark that unnerves us. The Bible constantly contrasts light and dark with light standing for good and darkness representing evil. We associate darkness with the world of sin and Satan while we pair the Father-Son-Holy Spirit with light. I'm no veterinarian but I have never seen animals afraid of the dark. They seem comfortable at any time. My students tell me they would never come into the school building alone when I do but it would not bother them in the afternoon. Brightness reassures us that we will be OK. Jesus contrasted two types of people in Luke 16:8 when he classified all of us as either 'people of the world' or 'people of the light.' In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes what are known as "The Seven 'I AM' Statements." One of these, in John 8:12, states "I am the light of the world." But look what Jesus says in Matthew 5:14 when he declares "YOU are the light of the world." In a sense, he puts the same characteristic on the believer that he has himself! The world is looking for physical light and spiritual light. Jesus said we should let our lights shine so God would be praised. A hidden light isn't doing much good. Children love the Bible song, This Little Light of Mine (I'm Gonna Let It Shine!) It is so simple but it is the essence of evangelism. Jesus tells us in John 3 that if "we live by truth, we come into the light." After we come into the light, we must stay in the light. That's what I want to do in the morning- stay where it's light and stay away from the dark. There was a gospel hymn we sang when I was a boy called In the Land of Fadeless Day. The song was about heaven and the last three words of each verse and the chorus were identical: 'no night there.' There will be no night in heaven and no fear in heaven. It will be all light. No peeking around the corners and no scary ice machines! Nothing will be there to threaten us. The truth is, nothing can really harm me if I rest in the love of God. I just have to remind myself at 4:45 a.m.!

Applicable quote of the day:
"Work hard.
Speak the truth.
Trust in God.
HAVE NO FEAR."
sign on the desk of Harry Truman

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1

Stringing It Out

 

Stringing It Out

COVID changed all our plans! This is from July 24, 2021!

Normally, I spend July in Vietnam, working with the school and congregation which came about from the efforts of missionary Tom Tune. As you might guess, my annual trip was postponed for the second summer in a row due to the pandemic. Lord willing, I will return to Can Tho next summer! This cancellation left me with time on my hands which normally is maxed out with planning and traveling and hopefully, planting the seed. Four weeks ago, I was getting pretty antsy so I called my brothers, Dave and Scott, to see if they would put up with a short visit from me. I got the thumbs up from both so sixteen days ago, I made the 625 mile drive to Wichita and split time between their homes which are roughly two miles apart. Both run summer camps  and Sally and Karen, their lovely wives, work so I had some time to myself. Time to yourself away visiting is better than time to yourself when are at home or at least I perceive it to be!  

When I first talked to Dave, he suggested the two of us take a road trip to Campbell, Nebraska, the small town where he started his teaching/coaching career as well as married life with Sally. Then, we would continue on to our home town of York, Nebraska. There were landmarks along the way to Campbell. We passed near the geographical center of the US which is right outside the small town of Lebanon, Kansas. We got gas in Red Cloud, Nebraska, home of famed Midwestern novelist Willa Cather. My favorite tourist attraction, though, was in the tiny (population 469) village of Cawker City, Kansas. There, on main street, sits the world's largest ball of twine. Apparently, it receives a great number of visitors even though Dave and I were the only two present during our five minute stop. It is immense! We took the prerequisite pictures before heading back north to the Cornhusker State which was the day's final destination. (I should note here that there are several other giant twine balls which make some claims to be world's this or that!)

Like everything, there is a backstory. The Cawker City ball was started in 1953 by Frank Stoeber who had heard about a similar endeavor in Minnesota which was several years old. In 1961,  Mr. Stoeber deeded his creation to the small community and it has resided there to this day. But it is a growing organism. Each year, the town holds a twine a thon, a typical rural picnic/celebration with the caveat that the celebrants add twine to the attraction. Also, folks passing through can stop at a local business and a nice lady named Lottie Herod will gift you some twine to add yourself! Your twine is added to the running weight total which was 19,873 pounds in 2013. Wish I had known- Dave and I could have added our two cents, I mean lengths, to the accumulation! 

You know, that initial piece of twine that started this stringed colossus will never be seen again; it's buried deep within that huge sphere. Who knows if Mr. Stoeber had any idea what his obsession would become. Most things start small. As humans, we were microscopic at conception. The world's great novels began with the author as a child learning the alphabet. I always like Jesus' analogy of the mustard seed, which He calls the smallest, becoming a big tree where birds could nest. Come to think of it, birds love gathering twine for their nests! In Matthew 13, which is full of short parables, Jesus states the the 'kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed...' There are commonalities that to me, at least,  the twine possesses that the kingdom should also possess. The people freely share it with others, especially strangers, and acknowledge its value. It's out in the open and not hidden away from view. It's available to anyone who takes the time and has the interest. And, it's constantly growing, if not everyday then at least on a regular basis. My guess is that the good folks of Cawker City see their ball of twine as a blessing, both financially and insuring their home is more than just a dot on the map of Kansas. My prayer is that as believers, we comprehend the blessing of the kingdom of God in our lives. It seems the Savior constantly made teaching points from what He witnessed going down the road. I think He would have had a ball in Cawker City.

Applicable quote of the day:
Baling twine.. able to turn any equestrian , rancher or farmer into Macgyver.
True Western Living

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1

The Daily Grind

 

The Daily Grind

First thing every morning,  I remover my mouth guard. Why do I need a mouth guard you ask? Keep reading below from March 29, 2010!

I reached my dentist's office this morning before 7:00AM. Downtown Houston is eerie and almost eerily charming before the masses arrive. This was an easy appointment, as easy as they come. Apparently, according to my dentist, I grind my teeth and I need a mouth guard. There are people I trust implicitly and Dr. Charles Campbell is one of them. If he tells me that I need something done, I have the procedure with no qualms. Today was just the fitting and Dr. Campbell's assistant went over a few tips for cleaning, insertion and removal, etc. Tonight is the maiden voyage for my new piece of equipment. What a great incentive for going to sleep!

I don't know what makes me grind my teeth. This actually is the second mouth guard Dr. Campbell has made for me. I accidentally threw the other one out about nine years ago. Maybe that's why I'm a teeth grinder; I lose almost everything! The dental community says grinding, medically termed bruxism, is caused by stress in our daytime lives. I don't think I have stress but I do know I'm a lousy sleeper- I never sleep more than several hours without waking up and that has been since early childhood. You know what I don't like about teeth grinding? It's spiritual application. Seven times, the Biblical synonym, gnashing of teeth, is used in the New Testament and always coming from the mouth of Jesus. (Six times in Matthew and once in Luke, if you're interested.) Each time, it is in the context of eternal punishment. And each time, those in that uncomfortable position certainly aren't sleeping. I doubt the Evil One will be offering mouth guards to his eternal guests. And on the other side of eternity, the companions of Jesus won't need them. They won't be sleeping either; too much singing going on!

Applicable quote of the day:
''Anger is implanted in us as sort of sting, to make us gnash with our teeth against the devil, to make us vehement against him, not to set us in array against each other.''
Richard Savage

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1